OzBargain's Go to for Car Wheel Cleaner (Ideally Something in Bulk)

• 

  GordonD on 21/10/2024 - 08:23

  +2

  We've seen how certain manufacturers of analgesics offer differently packaged products for different pain, but all contain the same active ingredients and quantities of them. Well, after trying various name brand fairly expensive specific "wheel cleaner" products, and getting pretty poor results on wheels which, I admit, haven't been cleaned for a long time, all I've ever done before was aim the pressure spray in the direction of the wheels, I tried to find out what the actual active ingredient is.

  What I ended up with was a general purpose degreaser. And it worked. I can't get the last of the brake dust that is deeply embedded in the surface of the hidden inside of the rim. But all the visible surfaces are remarkably clean.

  Maybe what you need is a matter of how dirty you've let your wheels get. From what I saw the specialist wheel cleaner products only did the job is you use them regularly enough that they don't need to be very effective.

  The other thing you might consider is Ozito's drill brush set. It contains a brush you fit to your drill specifically for cleaning mag wheels. Maybe there's brushes for that you don't have to buy a whole set of to get. It'd never occurred to me that was a thing.

  • 

    fantombloo on 21/10/2024 - 09:25

    Yes. And cheap dishwashing detergent (Earth Choice) or the rest.

  • 

    geekcohen on 21/10/2024 - 09:36

    Thanks for the feedback and view. I generally try and clean our cars once a month, more often in summer and always used some sort of wheel cleaner.

    The other thing you might consider is Ozito's drill brush set. It contains a brush you fit to your drill specifically for cleaning mag wheels. Maybe there's brushes for that you don't have to buy a whole set of to get. It'd never occurred to me that was a thing.

    I've been a bit skepical on brissles on these kits, I prefer micro fibre to avoid any scratches etc.

    • 

      MS Paint on 21/10/2024 - 09:53

      +2

      Yeah. Don't use these drill brushes on your wheels. You wouldn't do it on your car panels so why do it to your wheels. It's the same finish in most cases. A layer of paint and or clear coat.

      • 

        geekcohen on 21/10/2024 - 10:12

        Spot on.

      • 

        GordonD on 21/10/2024 - 20:14

        +2

        It's the same finish … a layer of paint and or clear coat

        Well, no. Car bodies are painted. Mag wheels are powder coated.

        Not that I'm endorsing the specific mag wheel brush in the Ozito brush set. But we're talking about a reputable name brand here. I'd be astounded if they have labelled the softest brush in their brush set as being specifically for cleaning mag wheels, and it would actually damage them. Big names don't make those sorts of mistakes.

        If I had to choose who was more likely to have got it right, a name brand product sold as specifically for that purpose, or someone who thinks mags wheels have the same finish on them as car bodies, I think I'd pick the name brand product sold for that specific purpose.

        • 

          MS Paint on 21/10/2024 - 20:39

          +2

          @GordonD:

          Mag wheels are powder coated

          You believe whatever you want. You're not wrong though - some wheels are powdercoated.

• 

  brendanm on 21/10/2024 - 09:27

  I've found g101 to work quite well.

  • 

    geekcohen on 21/10/2024 - 09:30

    As in G101 Express Multi Purpose Cleaner ?

    • 

      brendanm on 21/10/2024 - 11:31

      Yep that's the one.

• 

  boomramada on 21/10/2024 - 10:23

  I use https://www.meguiars.com.au/product/wheel-brushes/ with whatever washing liquid I use to wash my Japanese/German car, comes clean and shiny.

• 

  eek on 21/10/2024 - 10:24

  +1

  https://www.autosmartaustralia.com.au/wheel-cleaning.html

  I have used Red-7 in the past with pretty good results. Biggest help was moving away from OEM brake pads and switching to aftermarket dustless pads. More linear brake pedal feel and minimal dust.

• 

  coffeeinmyveins on 21/10/2024 - 10:59

  I use the AutoGlym range of products for the entire car. They have every different thing you could need EG glass, wheel, snow cannon, leather.

• 

  Brick50 on 21/10/2024 - 12:49

  I use the trade direct cleaner, I don't think it is the strongest stuff on the market but it does an okay job and it's ultra cheap.
  I find you do need to use a pressure washer once you apply it though a garden hose won't cut it

• 

  DingoBlue on 21/10/2024 - 15:16

  I'm curious about this one. A good brand, $65 for 3.78L and recommended for 10:1 dilution.

  Sounds too good to be true so I assume it is.

  https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/mothers-pro-wheel-cleane…

• 

  Nugs on 21/10/2024 - 16:58

  use the dregs of CT20 in the bucket if washing the car, front face only (cleaning regularly reduces the need to scrub)
  CT18 at every 5000km rotation, front and back
  .

• 

  ezpz on 22/10/2024 - 07:36

  I use P&S Brake Buster Wheel Cleaner and would recommend. It’s non acidic and I use it on both the tyres and wheels. It can be diluted down to 10:1 depending on the application.

• 

  charlierg on 22/10/2024 - 09:36

  If you use Bowdens like once a month it will come clean each time. Longer periods of dust accumulation just make me scrub them with a wheel brush and soap to get shit off

• 

  gregc4680 on 22/10/2024 - 11:03

  Best I've come across in my detailing as a hobby (but to a pro level, i.e. paint correction, etc.) is Mothers Professional Wheel Cleaner Concentrate 3.78L 87938

  Biodegradable concentrate for factory/OEM wheels and hubcaps, including painted, clearcoated, color coated and chrome. No hydrofluoric, sulfuric or phosphoric acids.

• 

  inertia8 on 28/10/2024 - 00:52

  If in melb then either final inspection's wheel cleaner or WaxIt's NV purge. Available in bulk containers

• 

  rodericb on 30/10/2024 - 15:02

  +1

  I have found any old stuff works, like car wash stuff for the rest of the car, and the vital ingredient is gentle agitation of the solution on the wheel.

  The other trick is to go gently on the agitation if you have anything other than silver wheels. Don't use those wheel brush things as they can mar painted surfaces, especially black. Gentle bristles like a paint brush if you must otherwise something microfiber.