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Re: wheel cleaner
Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2012 10:52 am
by CMNTMXR57
I've used simple green, it works in light dirt applications. I've used all the stuff you can buy at AutoZone/Advance/Murray's/Etc. and nothing took off the caked on crap that the rolling Garbage can (the van), seems to generate. One day at the car wash, I let them do the wheels, when they pulled it out, I asked them where my van was because the wheels (we have the chrome plated wheels, which is nothing more than a plastic chrome cover over the standard aluminum wheel), were so blindingly clean and shiney that I thought it was someone else's van. So I went back in, asked the manager (whom I've gotten to know over the years of taking my cars in there), and asked, "WTH do you guys use?" He took me in back and showed me, but warned "YOU NEED TO DILUTE THIS STUFF... IT's ACID!"
So I went on their website, ordered a bunch of it, and can't be happier.
http://www.superiorproducts.com/index.p ... t_id=30162
Yes, it says "Wire wheel cleaner" on the label, but as they state;
This product is safe for aluminum or mag wheel if diluted 1:1 with water and the above directions are followed.
You pre-wet the wheel, spray this on, let it do it's job for a minute, spray off. They say no brush is needed, however I still do with the nooks and crannies of the wheel where it cakes up. Also, don't breathe the stuff in. It IS acid!

Re: wheel cleaner
Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2012 10:55 am
by 00Beast
The new formulations of Meguiar's All Wheel Cleaner and Chrome Wheel cleaner work really well, you can smell that there's an acid in them as well. Caked on stuff takes a little scrubbing to get off, but it works great. Kinda expensive, but a lot of times they have a 2 for $10 deal or something, which I feel is pretty cheap.
Re: wheel cleaner
Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2012 7:10 pm
by ga93sle
CMNTMXR57 wrote:I've used simple green, it works in light dirt applications. I've used all the stuff you can buy at AutoZone/Advance/Murray's/Etc. and nothing took off the caked on crap that the rolling Garbage can (the van), seems to generate. One day at the car wash, I let them do the wheels, when they pulled it out, I asked them where my van was because the wheels (we have the chrome plated wheels, which is nothing more than a plastic chrome cover over the standard aluminum wheel), were so blindingly clean and shiney that I thought it was someone else's van. So I went back in, asked the manager (whom I've gotten to know over the years of taking my cars in there), and asked, "WTH do you guys use?" He took me in back and showed me, but warned "YOU NEED TO DILUTE THIS STUFF... IT's ACID!"
So I went on their website, ordered a bunch of it, and can't be happier.
http://www.superiorproducts.com/index.p ... t_id=30162
Yes, it says "Wire wheel cleaner" on the label, but as they state;
This product is safe for aluminum or mag wheel if diluted 1:1 with water and the above directions are followed.
You pre-wet the wheel, spray this on, let it do it's job for a minute, spray off. They say no brush is needed, however I still do with the nooks and crannies of the wheel where it cakes up. Also, don't breathe the stuff in. It IS acid!

This looks very similar to the wheel acid I use at work, we dilute it 1:1, and it actually works on just about any wheel you spray it on. Just don't get it on your hands either, it will disolve calcium cells, especially if you get it under your nails, ask me how I know. We use it on anything chrome, or with a clear coat. Basically anything except bare aluminum.
Re: wheel cleaner
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 1:35 pm
by CMNTMXR57
Yup. Their instructions are exactly that 1:1.
This might also explain why I have no fingerprints after I use it too. :D
Re: wheel cleaner
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 11:51 pm
by ga93sle
Haha. Cheap latex gloves work quite nicely when using it.
Re: wheel cleaner
Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 12:45 am
by Arrowhead
Espree Ultra Wheel Magic is what I used to use on paint/clear coated wheels but, like everything else that I like.......it has disappeared !

Meguiars doesn't work nearly as well on brake dust, IMO.
Re: wheel cleaner
Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 7:51 pm
by SLEighride03
thank you all again for the suggestions

....... this turtle wax stuff seems to be doing just great.
Re: wheel cleaner
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 12:56 pm
by brownbrentm
sorry to bring up a seemingly dead thread, but the rims on my SE have gotten quite grungy, and the purple power stuff that used to clean them well, doesnt cut it now, any suggestions for aluminum rims?
Re: wheel cleaner
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 1:00 pm
by 00Beast
Meguiar's All-Wheel cleaner, it's in a purple spray bottle. I'm assuming you have the 16" Painted 5 spokers?
Re: wheel cleaner
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 2:35 pm
by yourgrandma
I dont dig on acid cleaners for painted wheels. I keep a coat of sealant on my wheels so anything that strips that off is going to be a no go. I use Grios Garage Wheel Cleaner, but there are many other alternatives.
http://www.autogeek.net/tire-wheel-cleaners.html
Re: wheel cleaner
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 4:45 pm
by 00Beast
The all-wheel cleaner is pretty mild, I've used it on the GXP's wheels without any bad affects...
Re: wheel cleaner
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 5:48 pm
by brownbrentm
ok thanks, will give the Meguiars a try, i really like their 3 step process, so I assume I will like that as well. thanks