Greased Lightning Orange Blast All Wheel Cleaner

[4DSC]

Has anyone else tried this product yet?

On a whim I bought a bottle of this stuff to try out because it was inexpensive. Ironically this is shortly after I swore I would stop trying out new wheel cleaners after a string of disappointments.

Normally I'm a big fan of Eagle One A2Z because of its strong performance, and use that as a yardstick to judge other wheel cleaners by. I take both products outside when I wash the test vehicle and, since front wheels always have more brake dust than the rears, I usually do one wheel entirely with the new product, then do the other front wheel half and half with A2Z. I keep my little wheel brush handy so I'm ready to be disappointed.

WOW, was I impressed! I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly and easily the Orange Blast cleaned off the brake dust! After thoroughly spraying the dry wheel, waiting a minute, and hosing it off, it was left spotlessly clean. The half and half test with A2Z showed it was just as capable as that and both products left the wheel equally clean. TRUE "spray on, hose off" performance is a rarity, and my wheel brush remained dry and unused the entire time.

The products are a bit different, but not in any way that's significant IMO. Orange Blast is acidic (it even tells you about oxalic acid content), rather than basic like A2Z, but that doesn't worry me since A2Z is one of the few non-acidic wheel cleaners. I've noticed acidic wheel cleaners tend to "transform" and dissolve the brake dust and partially turn it clear, rather than the "melting" and loosening action of A2Z. End results are the same though. Dwell time for the products are different. A2Z suggests only 30 seconds, but Orange Blast suggests 1 minute up to 2 minutes for heavily soiled wheels. Yes it's longer, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing since it gives you more working time.

The last wheel cleaner I tested that is in A2Z's league was Meguiar's Hot Rims. Another good product, but more expensive than A2Z, so I was left thinking "why bother?" with that. The BEST part of Orange Blast wheel cleaner besides the performance is the fact that it is a bargain. Here in Canada it costs only $5.99 for 32 oz (946mL), versus the $7.50 (discounted) for 26 oz (768mL) for A2Z. I have read about someone in the US getting it for only $3!

I rushed back to the store to snatch up 4 more bottles since they only had this as a "special buy".

[BW]

Thanks for the review! Looks like something I would use if I were a mass detailer. If I'm not mistaken, the regular Greased Lightning has a pH level of a 2...

:scared

How does Orange Blast smell?

[DFTowel]

I've been using Orange Blast for a couple of yrs now, I swear by it! It works wonders on anything oily or greasy, spray it on the engine and the dirt just melts away. A friend who owns a Burger King turned me on to this stuff.

It's also phenominal around the kitchen and BBQ.

[4DSC]

Originally posted by BW
How does Orange Blast smell?

Disappointingly, just like any other wheel cleaner and not like oranges!

Just to clarify, this review is for the Orange Blast Wheel Cleaner only and NOT either of the degreaser products which I have not tried.

[iceman]

But if it is acidic, wouldn't that corrode and pit the wheels over time?

[4DSC]

I hope not. Lots of wheel cleaners out there (like Mothers and Meguiar's I believe) are actually acidic too, and I'm pretty sure that basic or pH neutral wheel cleaners are still in the minority. I figure a lot of stuff is "dangerous" if misused or an accident occurs, but okay if used carefully.

BTW, a few other things that I forgot to mention about Orange Blast is that while it comes with an almost identical spray nozzle as A2Z does, it doesn't "foam" and has a wide and narrow setting. Also, while it was strong enough to remove the brake dust, it didn't strip off my tire dressing completely where it oversprayed, which is something that A2Z does. Good if you use A2Z for cleaning everything (wheels AND tires) but not so good if you use something else since it leaves those cleaned spots a bit splotchy looking...

[ShineMGood]

After using wheel cleaners its a good idea to wash with a ph neutral soap. That will help with any residue that remains.

[Iconoclast]

Originally posted by 4DSC
On a whim I bought a bottle of this stuff to try out because it was inexpensive. Ironically this is shortly after I swore I would stop trying out new wheel cleaners after a string of disappointments.

I had the same thought process. I love A2Z but was looking for something a little more cheap(I go through too much wheel cleaner). I rank Orange Blast slightly below A2Z for cleaning power. But for the price for 32 oz ..what a bargain. I use the OB for most cleanings, and save the A2Z for the tough jobs.

[KCDoug]

I stumbled across this stuff at Wal-Mart and b/c it was so cheap I bought it - originally thinking it would in some way have a citris base. Although the only thing that's orange is the bottle, it works very well on my Maxima clear coat wheels. I am, however, careful to rinse it thoroughly and I only use wheel cleaner immediately preceeding a complete car wash so that I can be sure to get off any residue on the outside of the wheel.

I like it enough that I plan to pick up one or two of the large refill containers -- nor sure if it was a gallon, but might have been -- next time I'm at WM. Think the big container was only about $5-7, a real bargain for my family's fleet of daily drivers.

[Beason]

I use just regualar orange blast dilluted about 1:2 with water. It does smell like oranges and does great for wheels and engines. Use full strength sometimes on hard stuff. One of the best cleaners ive used. Not sure if it is acidic and doing damaging, but until proof it does ill still use it.

[Beason]

Orange Blast

[neoflex]

On my stock wheels(Winter use only) I use Simple Green, I really don't care about them too much anyway but on my 18s I have been afraid to use a wheel cleaner on them because of the polished lip. Will A2Z have any negative effect on the wheel?