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General => Detailing => Topic started by: NewGolf on 20 August 2008, 20:49

Title: Which Wheel Cleaner to buy?
Post by: NewGolf on 20 August 2008, 20:49
Hi peeps.
I'm in the market for a gallon tub of wheel cleaner. I used to use AG wheel cleaner, but its harsh, very acidic and strips any protection I put on the wheels. It also marks any metal parts, like a chemical burn. I changed over to Megs Hot Rims, a very good product, but slightly too powerful for my weekly cleaning sessions, comes in under a half litre bottle, and is expensive.

What do you guys use, or recommend? I'm currently torn between Megs Wheel Brightener and Bilberry Wheel Cleaner, both similar price, but havent used either so after some top advice!

Over to the experts!  :wink:
Title: Re: Which Wheel Cleaner to buy?
Post by: Conker on 20 August 2008, 21:46
If you want mild then bilberry is the way to go:

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=82479

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=80275

Title: Re: Which Wheel Cleaner to buy?
Post by: NewGolf on 20 August 2008, 21:55
Thanks Conker thats the one I was leaning towards. Hoping 182 pops in and gives his advice, it costs quite a bit to get a 5 litre tub to the Channel Islands so want to make sure whatever I use is worth it  :wink:
Title: Re: Which Wheel Cleaner to buy?
Post by: Greenouse on 21 August 2008, 10:28
Do you really need wheel cleaner NewGolf? I was told by a profesional detailer I shouldn't use any at all on the wheel itself. Regular cleaning with soapy water plus regular waxing/sealing mean you shouldn't need to use any cleaner solution.  :smiley:
Title: Re: Which Wheel Cleaner to buy?
Post by: Guy on 21 August 2008, 13:11
i must say since i have started using PB wheel sealant I haven't have to use a wheel cleaner
Title: Re: Which Wheel Cleaner to buy?
Post by: k4ith on 21 August 2008, 19:41
Recently i have been using Meguiars Wheel Brightener and its been good, bought AG wheel cleaner but its not as good imo.
Title: Re: Which Wheel Cleaner to buy?
Post by: Neil-MkVGTI on 21 August 2008, 20:51

I used to use wonder wheels on my Beemer - the alloy surface was rough and brake dust did cling on. 

The finish on my Golf alloys are much smoother and easier to clean with just soap and water.  I do use wheel wax (basic spray on turtle wax) the dirt comes off brilliantly every time.
Title: Re: Which Wheel Cleaner to buy?
Post by: NewGolf on 21 August 2008, 21:07
Thanks Conker thats the one I was leaning towards. Hoping 182 pops in and gives his advice, it costs quite a bit to get a 5 litre tub to the Channel Islands so want to make sure whatever I use is worth it  :wink:

Bump  :wink:
Title: Re: Which Wheel Cleaner to buy?
Post by: rowlers on 21 August 2008, 21:09
this is good tackle:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/10-Litres-Viro-Sol-Citrus-Cleaner-Degreaser_W0QQitemZ180278263403QQihZ008QQcategoryZ11702QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/10-Litres-Viro-Sol-Citrus-Cleaner-Degreaser_W0QQitemZ180278263403QQihZ008QQcategoryZ11702QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
use it neat on oil/grease, 10:1ish on grimey bit and up to 500:1 for general cleaning, works out very cheap!!

I use it all around the house and car - it smells nice too :wink:
Title: Re: Which Wheel Cleaner to buy?
Post by: 182_blue on 21 August 2008, 21:09
i like Megs wheel brightener but it can be harsh, however if you dilute it more than normal then its not so strong and i have never had an issue with it, i find if you do it often enough with a decent brush then you dont need much cleaner anyway, another good item from halfords is Autoglym engine and machine cleaner (not the wheel one as its to strong imo), also the bilberry is quite good too
Title: Re: Which Wheel Cleaner to buy?
Post by: NewGolf on 21 August 2008, 21:14
Good advise. Got some Bilberry and Wheel Brightener on its way  :wink:

Another question, after using Z2, Z6 and Z8 Zaino, is there any point putting a coat of Zym0l Carbon over the top, would it bond or is it a waste of time?

Looking into Zaino CS Spray next...  :wink:
Title: Re: Which Wheel Cleaner to buy?
Post by: 182_blue on 21 August 2008, 21:18
give it a test, but i doubt it will make much difference adding the zymol
Title: Re: Which Wheel Cleaner to buy?
Post by: NewGolf on 22 August 2008, 18:22
Do you have a garage mate, if you do, I'd love to see your setup  :smiley:

Getting planning issues here building mine. Losing the will to live.  :sad:
Title: Re: Which Wheel Cleaner to buy?
Post by: Guy on 22 August 2008, 22:55

I used to use wonder wheels on my Beemer - the alloy surface was rough and brake dust did cling on. 

The finish on my Golf alloys are much smoother and easier to clean with just soap and water.  I do use wheel wax (basic spray on turtle wax) the dirt comes off brilliantly every time.

considered banning you for mentioning this  :laugh:

the reason why your alloy surface was rough was because ww eats in and is very acidic... bin it if you still have it
Title: Re: Which Wheel Cleaner to buy?
Post by: NewGolf on 23 August 2008, 08:57

I used to use wonder wheels on my Beemer - the alloy surface was rough and brake dust did cling on. 

The finish on my Golf alloys are much smoother and easier to clean with just soap and water.  I do use wheel wax (basic spray on turtle wax) the dirt comes off brilliantly every time.

considered banning you for mentioning this  :laugh:

the reason why your alloy surface was rough was because ww eats in and is very acidic... bin it if you still have it

Fully agree, thats nasty stuff.
Title: Re: Which Wheel Cleaner to buy?
Post by: MrTurner on 25 August 2008, 13:14
I used to use Wonder Wheels.  It's not so bad on the wheels short term, but it trashes any plastic covers, and also rusted my wheel nuts.  Long term, your wheels WILL suffer.

I have since learned the error of my ways and took a long time (i.e. a whole day!), taking each wheel off, making it cleaner than ever before, then applying a layer of polish (only AG SRP) and 3 layers of Poorboys Wheel Sealant.

Now, I just rinse the wheels with water and a sponge, and get in the spokes with an old wash mit attached to wood.

Must point out this is on my Megane, the Golf has already been over Wonder Wheel'd, the wheels are corroded beyond repair!
Title: Re: Which Wheel Cleaner to buy?
Post by: Guy on 25 August 2008, 18:18
I used to use Wonder Wheels.  It's not so bad on the wheels short term, but it trashes any plastic covers, and also rusted my wheel nuts.  Long term, your wheels WILL suffer.

I have since learned the error of my ways and took a long time (i.e. a whole day!), taking each wheel off, making it cleaner than ever before, then applying a layer of polish (only AG SRP) and 3 layers of Poorboys Wheel Sealant.

Now, I just rinse the wheels with water and a sponge, and get in the spokes with an old wash mit attached to wood.

Must point out this is on my Megane, the Golf has already been over Wonder Wheel'd, the wheels are corroded beyond repair!

here endeth the lesson in why not to use wonder wheels!  :smiley:
Title: Re: Which Wheel Cleaner to buy?
Post by: MrTurner on 25 August 2008, 20:06

here endeth the lesson in why not to use wonder wheels!  :smiley:
Not by me I might add  :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: Which Wheel Cleaner to buy?
Post by: Guy on 26 August 2008, 10:45

here endeth the lesson in why not to use wonder wheels!  :smiley:
Not by me I might add  :grin: :grin:

you still use it?  :huh:
Title: Re: Which Wheel Cleaner to buy?
Post by: MrTurner on 26 August 2008, 13:10

you still use it?  :huh:
No, no, no..  I used it on the inside of my wheels to get them clean before using wheel sealant.  That's it.  When I cleaned the golf on Sunday (only picked it up Friday), I don't think I even cleaned the wheels, that's how corroded they are, it seemed a pointless exercise  :grin: