Recommended wheel cleaner?

I've seen dozens on aisles saying "no touch" and "just spray and rinse!" Which is fine if you don't mind leaving a E36 M3load of brake dust behind...

I've tried Sonax, something from the Plastidip guys that works ok, but being the proud owner of white wheels now I need "the best". Price isn't even really an issue, and stocked at the local Pep Boys would be a plus?

What you got?

watching this thread … the best I've done so far is wax the rims (these are on the TT/A-X car) and pull them after each event … soap and water do pretty well using this method …. but if it gets away from me, it's a real PITA

I always just use soap and water and do it regularly. Never cared for any of the products that I've tried in the past.

I like Simple Green and microfiber cloths if I'm focusing on just the wheels. If its a quick and dirty I use whatever water's in the bucket after washing the rest of the car. I don't see why Simple Green wouldn't work for you.

simple green, wet, spray and let sit until you've made your way around to all corners, then a quick brush off and hose it off (the more and longer your rinse the better; mainly to prevent finish etching)

De-solv-it mechanic's solvent works well on traditionally painted wheels and it's supposed to be 100% paint safe.

Edit: This is not "no-touch," you wipe it with a paper towel/rag/sponge etc.

Meguiar's All Wheel Cleaner. This E36 M3 right here is amazing. I don't use it for tires, just wheels, and I use a stiff bristle brush to get in all the nooks and crannies. If the wheels are OMGWTFBBQ nasty, it may take two applications, but it is the best stuff I have ever used on steel and aluminum, as well s painted wheels. I use bleache-white on the tires.

Hmm. Just picked up some Simple Green a few weeks ago when I saw it on a shelf (used it for something years ago, probably cleaning the Camaro's engine for shows) & knew it would come in handy eventually.

Might try the Meguiar's too.

Easy Off oven cleaner. I usually use the yellow can and its about $5.
Don't spray in the wind and wear gloves. Pay attention to the warning label, etc.

As someone who buys the occaisional car to resell, the alloys are usually caked with 5+ years of brake dust grime.

Easy Off laughs at the challenge and I leave the car wash with clean wheels.

Never had one etch the paint. Ever. Just don't leave it on there long. It starts working almost right away.

I've found most of the wheel cleaners are pretty much the same... I've yet to find one that actually can be sprayed and rinsed... ALL need some kind of brush/cloth/sponge. I recently purchased a sponge brush... something like this

I'll report its usefulness...

OH... the complexity of the wheel design has a lot to do with what works, or not...

Be careful with oven cleaner on aluminum, it can etch the surface.

Depends on the wheel finish. Good old glass cleaner works great on chrome.

Sorry, I don't have a before pic.

If your wheels are painted white, waxing them after cleaning can help future dirt fall off easier.

EastCoastMojo wrote: Be careful with oven cleaner on aluminum, it can etch the surface.

Be careful with oven cleaner on anything. That stuff is my last-resort cleaner. It will take anything off.

I use the Megiuars stuff, too. It works as well as any of them, but there's no substitute for a stiff brush and elbow grease.

i use the meguiars with a toilet cleaning brush.

To be clear, you have wheels that are painted white? I assume they're aluminum?

As with any car cleaning, start with mild products first and only work up to harsher cleaners if necessary. Don't use oven cleaner unless you want the paint to come off. I like Simple Green but it can harm the paint surface if you use it too often or let it sit on the paint surface too long.

Also, consider changing the brake pads to something that doesn't create as much dust. If this is a track car, you're probably sunk...the extra hot brake pad particles are going to burn into the surface and there's not much you can do about that.

Tom_Spangler wrote:

EastCoastMojo wrote: Be careful with oven cleaner on aluminum, it can etch the surface.

Be careful with oven cleaner on anything. That stuff is my last-resort cleaner. It will take *anything* off. I use the Megiuars stuff, too. It works as well as any of them, but there's no substitute for a stiff brush and elbow grease.

my baked on brake residue laughed at oven cleaner (my fault for letting it get that layer and that baked )

stuart in mn wrote: To be clear, you have wheels that are painted white? I assume they're aluminum?

Painted/powder coated/magic?

Meguiars Wheel Brightener is a acid based cleaner that does WORK.

Flash Brown Royal is non acidic and I've seen it work well too.

Email the Falken Tire USCR team to find out what they use. They have switched to white wheels this year.