Wheel soap

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spewking

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Do you use the same soap to wash wheels that you use for the car? A different soap -- perhaps one that is stronger?

I use the same soap -- top quality ones like Ultima , DG, etc. and use a separate/3rd bucket for wheels and tires only.

I wondered today...are you using the same soap for wheels? I can see the reason for using the same soap, e.g., preserving wheel sealant, etc. but also see reasons to use either a stronger or cheaper soap for wheels in the seperate bucket.

What do you do? Thoughts?

Thanks much,

David
 
I use AMMO brute wheel soap and plum cleaner to break down the iron.
 
Coat the wheels,tires and trim, makes them easier to clean and maintain. You may use the same soap for both. The dedicate wheel bucket is nice :)
Ammo concept is awesome for someone likes to detail his own car.
 
I use the same soap, just for the simple rule of keep it simple but I do use a separate bucket.
 
Here's my routine:
Diablo wheel gel, allowed to dwell about 5-10min (2) wash with a separate soap, using a separate bucket. The only reason I use a different soap is b/c I have so many mid-grade soaps and I save the better soaps for the car (3) I use a Speedmaster and dedicated MF mitt, Tire brush.
I seal the wheels about every 6 weeks. Doing so, I can sometimes skip the Diablo and go straight to soap.
 
My routine is to use a separate cheaper soap in a dedicated wheel/tire bucket. I like to save the better soaps for just my paint.
 
tenblade2001 said:
Here's my routine:
Diablo wheel gel, allowed to dwell about 5-10min (2) wash with a separate soap, using a separate bucket. The only reason I use a different soap is b/c I have so many mid-grade soaps and I save the better soaps for the car (3) I use a Speedmaster and dedicated MF mitt, Tire brush.
I seal the wheels about every 6 weeks. Doing so, I can sometimes skip the Diablo and go straight to soap.
Click to expand...


Do you rinse the wheel before you throw on the Diablo or do you put it right on the soiled rim?
 
My third bucket has regular soap with alittle APC in it.

If bad, or neglected, I'll use an iron dissolver (my new favorite is Dub wheel cleaner), while that's soaking, I spray APC on tires and wheel wells. Agitate all those surfaces with a selection of brushes from the bucket. I also keep a dedicated wash mitt in the bucket as well to quickly go over the rim one last time. Rinse extremely thoroughly when using any iron dissolving products. Dry with drying aid. Apply LSP.

For maintenance washes, I just use the same bucket mixture and pre-soak with APC only. Dry with drying aid.
 
@Lafawnduh- I wet the wheels first, and remember the Diablo is diluted 3:1.
@Kmd- I read your post on another thread and you liked Dub better than Sonax. Have you ever tried Diablo...just wondering how it compared. I am looking to get it, but all the AA in my area are sold out.
 
I have wheel cleaner and acid on hand to clean customers wheels. If they`re sealed or coated by me, ONR along with rest of vehicle. Iron X as needed.

I think some of you are complicating things, lol.
 
Why do you need a seperate bucket?

Why not just rinse it out when you've finished with the wheels?
 
tenblade2001 said:
@Kmd- I read your post on another thread and you liked Dub better than Sonax. Have you ever tried Diablo...just wondering how it compared. I am looking to get it, but all the AA in my area are sold out.
Click to expand...

I haven't, as I was looking for an iron dissolving wheel cleaner, Diablo isn't one, is it? IMO the iron dissolving ones will do the best job on neglected rims. I have Iron-x, but at it's price, I like to use it just for paint. Someone mentioned somewhere on here they used these wheel cleaners on the paint, but for the time being, I'm sticking to Carpro.

Alittle bit of the Dub cleaner went further than the Sonax as well. Might have to do with the sprayer.

I wouldn't use Dub wheel cleaner for every wash, only when they're really bad. I feel like it would break down my LSP faster than just an APC or ONR depending on the wash I'm doing.

Diablo could be all you need, depending on your rims/brakes/braking habits. It would be nice to never need something as aggressive.
 
dougz said:
Why do you need a seperate bucket?

Why not just rinse it out when you've finished with the wheels?
Click to expand...

ANYTHING I use for Paint, doesn't get used for anything else but. Much less chance of cross contamination.
 
dougz said:
Why do you need a seperate bucket?

Why not just rinse it out when you've finished with the wheels?
Click to expand...

It's more of a time and convience thing for me. I wash the wheels with all my tools, all the tools go into that bucket when I'm done, and then I start washing the car with my 'paint' buckets that are already setup prior to washing wheels, wheel wells, etc...

I don't see a problem with thoroughly rinsing out the bucket, but why even worry about it when you can just have a third bucket for all your wheel washing tools/needs?

I don't know. There's absolutely no reason why I need a lot of detailing related things--like having both a Rupes and Flex, but why not?

I guess for me, most of this stuff is for convience and curiosity (forming my own thoughts on products or processes).
 
A wheel soap is an identifier of a brand working very hard to get money out of your pocket, without any technological advancement or innovation. I am sorry but, IMO, they are products which we have all been using for years and the introduction of a specific term is a way of getting people to buy yet another product which they simply do not need.
 
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