Best wheel cleaner solution and method

[Lakersfreak]

I've been using Adam's Polishes Wheel & Tire Cleaner, but not satisfied. I am following their instructions of 1) water the wheel, 2) apply the cleaner, 3) scrub, and 4 ) wash and do not dry. It barely makes a difference on my black Nite Pony wheels.

What are you guys using and doing?

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[robvas]

Armor all wheel cleaner spray and a Mother's wheel brush, but I'm not a detailing nerd. Works a thousand times better than car wash soap and a rag.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

I just constantly spray with Meguiars Quick Wax and wipe with a microfiber cloth. Everytime I clean is another layer of wax, and the dirt comes off so easy.

 

[dusman59]

Many look down on Turtle products but for them to survive they hired new chemists and really improved their products.
I use their Hyper Foam Wheel and Tire Prep. Its cheap and makes any brown and old tire dressing go away.
After the tires dry I follow up with Armour Ghost tire sealant.

 

[Will2]

I used to use wheel cleaners without issue but would caution against any acid wheel cleaners.

After driving my new GT home from the dealer 100 miles away, I noticed the paint on the calipers and wheels was damaged by likely acid wheel cleaner during PDI. There are drip-streaks on the front calipers where the gray caliper paint is dulled and white drip marks all over. The black wheels themselves had clusters of tiny oxidation dots (clearcoat damage). One wheel has paint entirely burned off in the barrel. My rear calipers are oxidized and dull brown in a streaky drip pattern (not brake dust or rust) where the silver paint got totally burned off by the dealer's acid wheel cleaner.

 

[86pagt]

I like ADS wheel cleaner for caked on brake dust. Key is giving them a complete scrubbing and get them clean. Once cleaned add some type of protection. Once you have protection applied they will be much easier to keep maintained.

https://armourdetailsupply.com/collections/wheel-tire/products/wheel-cleaner

 

[TcarterGT2024]

Adam’s here too.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

I used to use wheel cleaners without issue but would caution against any acid wheel cleaners.

After driving my new GT home from the dealer 100 miles away, I noticed the paint on the calipers and wheels was damaged by likely acid wheel cleaner during PDI. There are drip-streaks on the front calipers where the gray caliper paint is dulled and white drip marks all over. The black wheels themselves had clusters of tiny oxidation dots (clearcoat damage). One wheel has paint entirely burned off in the barrel. My rear calipers are oxidized and dull brown in a streaky drip pattern (not brake dust or rust) where the silver paint got totally burned off by the dealer's acid wheel cleaner.

When I took delivery of my car it had only 4 miles on it and was just off the trailer. The dealer hadn’t touched it. My wheels were covered with white spots that looked etched in…possibly looking like what you described. I thought the wheels were ruined. I cleaned it a few times and waxed each time and after like the 3rd cleaning, all the spots came off and now the wheels look fine.

Try cleaning the wheels a few times, expecting a little elbow grease with a sponge and microfiber. It’s possible you have what I had and it really is only surface crud.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

I like this stuff and a wheel brush.

Ceramic coating your wheels makes life a million times easier.

 

[Wiley Marmot]

Always clean your wheels and calipers when they're cool/cold (if you're not).

I spray Meguiars All Wheel Cleaner on my calipers; then scrub them with an old soft tooth brush and detailing brush. Rinse thoroughly with cold water from my garden hose and El Cheapo adjustable nozzle set to it's shower setting.

I wash my wheels with Meguiars Gold Class shampoo, two different wheel brushes and a soft cotton glove (use my fingers to get into corners, nooks, crannies, etc. Rinse as above.

 

[Frogdog1]

First rule is put some wax or other shiny making concoction on the wheels.

Second, don't drive through crap.

Third thing I do is wet them, and wash them with that Meguire's banana yellow colored car wash stuff with only a wash mit......never scrub a wheel. Easy peasy with no rocket science.

 

[flyinlow007]

Most pro detailers follow these steps.
1. Use some type of all purpose cleaner/iron remover/wheel cleaner if the wheel has not been coated. I typically use P&S Brake Buster for tough caked on brake dust if the wheel has never been coated. Use some dedicated type of barrel brushes to get inside the wheels, otherwise use a flag tipped brush for cleaning the wheels, they are generally safe on painted wheels. The key is getting the wheels clean, the more complex the wheel design the longer it takes to clean them, but you want them good and clean. Scrub the tires with a good stiff bristled brush, you don't need to remove all the brown as that is actually a protection from ozone for the tires.
2. Once they are all cleaned up you have some options. If you want to do a true ceramic coat like you would do for paint (the stuff that comes in the tiny glass bottles and costs anywhere from $50-$150) then its best to remove the wheels and thoroughly clean them before ceramic coating. The easier method is to use one of the spray coatings that is water activated. They don't last as long as a true ceramic coating, but much easier to apply. Gyeon WetCoat, DIYdetail Quick Beads, Carpro Hydro02, and a bunch of other products from many vendors. Spray it on, make sure to get all the surfaces, wait 10-15 seconds (or whatever the directions say) then hit it with some water pressure, garden hose with a sprayer works, pressure washer is better. You will see the water bead off. Use a good tire protectant/detailer on the tires. Tip: use a flag tipped brush to apply your tire dressing, works great. Spray the dressing on the brush and use it to apply the dressing.

At this point it will be much easier to clean you wheels, most of the brake dust will just rinse off and you can just use car wash soap on them, no need to use any brake dust cleaners.

 

[goodlettjr]

I use Meguiars Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner. Best stuff I've ever used by a mile. Spray on cool dry wheels and calipers. Wait 3-4 minutes and it starts to turn purple. I use a Chemical Guys Easy Reach Car Show Brush on the barrels, one of the Chemical Guys All In The Details Exterior Detailing Brush, and Chemical Guys Wheel and Rim Flagged Tipped Brush. Sometimes use a tire brush but most of the time I don't need to. I have in the past before I found the Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner used Chemical Guys Wheel wax. It isn't this one, but a discontinued one. I didn't care to use it. Lots of elbow grease to put it on and more to take it off. I'm not a CG fanboy, there just happened to be one of their stores near my house closing and the deals where too good not to pick the brushes up. They do work well for my needs. I have the Steeda Trident Gloss Titanium wheels (Staggered 20x10/11) for reference on wheel finish and openings.

 

[20ducks]

I applied with wheels off a coating of 303 Graphene. I then clean with a bristled brush with a very mild soap, then rinse them with a garden hose. Because this stuff is very hydrophobic, I use a touchless car blower from my detailing days. However, you can always use a leaf blower. Go for it and put the fun back into cleaning your wheels and tires.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

I bought bristled brushes supposedly safe for painted wheels. I cleaned my wife’s car wheels which were black. Noticed micro scratches from the brush. I then thought, would I wash my car with a bristle brush? Maybe I got cheap ones, but I’m wary of anything other than a sponge or micro fiber towel touching our cars.

BTW: I recently discovered these large microfiber towels. They are amazing! So absorbent that if you just set the towel on your wet hood, you instantly have a dry square spot. I have stacks of these now. Super soft.

Seen these marketed as Shiny Wipes on IG for $40. Went to amazon, and there they were for $10…lol.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C2QHN2JH/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=A3IGSQF5MATYNN&th=1

Also check these out…they are on sale now. I have ordered these like 4 times and they are even fluffier and softer than the first link. I think these are my favorites.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BL2BF31F?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3&th=1

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