Simple Green

[Chuckmotor]

This was from another post that did not get a response, so I'm just reposting this hoping to get an answer this time! Thanks.
quote:
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Originally posted by wm tiger
One last addition, I also use the Simple Green (thats the name) All-Purpose Cleaner on my wheels and wheel wells; I'd highly recommend it for those purposes.
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Is that stuff any good? I picked some up as something to clean my tires, but I just realized that I'm out of wheel cleaner, too. Is it safe for wheels, and is it effective? Does anybody else reccomend it?

[RH]

The general consensus is that it that there are many other good, safe, products to use, and avoiding Simple Green is the safest route. Some folks report ok results using Simple Green. Others report long term negative affects. Personally, I avoid using it on my cars.

[Jngrbrdman]

I'll get some pictures for ya to show you what simple green did to my wheels. I have some winter wheels that are pretty chewed up. Actually, they are the same wheels that are on my car in my photo album. Anyway, simple green was used on them and it took the clear coat off. I don't really care because they are just winter rims but if you use that on rims you care about you might be sorry. I wouldn't put Simple Green anywhere near my wheels. I'll take a pic of my rims when I get home. Actually, here is a preview. Check out the lip of the rim.

[img]http://communities.msn.com/_Secure/0OwD**yQTQwgL8wcXWLi3AdY8A*PIXN!F70AD!CjYS0R0YltuHkDPmG3LM6COfNzEH13JS7w186RIi5a Jreea8YDkK8BnxfBi/103-0310_IMG.JPG[/img]

That is a pic of the light damage. The worse stuff is on the other rim. Pretty nasty. I got them cheap from the guy that ruined them. I figured that it was better than driving with my nice wheels in all this salt and crap they throw all over the roads.

[olivher]

I bought a gallon size of Simple Green at my local Costco. I mainly use it when changing my oil to clean up any oil. I noticed that there have been a lot of reports of Simple Green ruining the finish of nice alloy wheels, but has anyone used them on hub caps? Hub caps are generally cheap so I guess I wouldn't care for them that much, but I'd still like to make my hub caps nice and clean to be more attractive with the rest of the vehicle.

[Jman5000]

Using it per the dilution guidelines and rinsing well is no more harmful than any myriad of cleaners out there.

Don't let it (or any strong cleaner) dry on the wheel.

Don't spray on hot wheels.

Saying SG "removes" clearcoat has to be inaccurate. It may, on an already compromised clearcoat not help, but then again a hose w/enough pressure can flake clearcoat too.

There has to be other environmental issues at work (heat, brake dust, etc) not to mention that maybe the wheels' finish wasn't that great to start with.

Jngrbrdman, this isn't directed at you or your wheels specifically. But the Honda/Acura tuning scene is rife w/low quality low cost mods for the generally younger (w/out a lotta dough) guys...which includes wheels that may have a so-so finish durability to drive down price.

I've been using SG for lotsa things and haven't had any problems on any surfaces.

Just another perspective.

[Jngrbrdman]

I understand about the cheap parts. Enkei is a pretty reputable company though. I had the same wheels on another car and never had a problem with em. I don't attribute all the damage to the simple green. They were pretty curbed up and that probably started the problem. My wife noticed that the stock rims on the 99 Integra are made by Enkei too.

[DETAILKING]

before with no problems......

[carguy]

I don't use it - because I can't stand the way it smells! And I've never seen that it has any particular advantage over other cleaners.

[Brad]

I had SG ruin a set of alloy wheels over the course of a year.

I would use it for wheel wells or some engine components. Never on anything that has a finish that needs to be preserved.

My favorite wheel cleaner is EF All Purpose Cleaner. I buy it by the gallon and have used it for a couple years now.

[ZV]

I stopped using it because the guys here warned me about it so much. I used it on my expensive BMW rims without any problems, but after repeated warnings I decided to try EF HI and I love the stuff! The HI is a great, multi-purpose product, that's why I made the change. It cleans slightly better than SG on rims and is acid-free. I was not fond of the SG "bashing", but I've found a better product that's not too expensive so I will stick with it. If you use SG, dilute it like it should be diluted, it is a strong product.

I tried Simple Green and although it cleaned ok, I think it made my car's interior smell like a freshly cleaned bathroom at a bus stop. It also burned my skin, which makes me wonder about it's harshness on my pride & joys delicate parts (I know the precautions on the bottle say to use gloves, but, hey, who needs the stinking directions!). I really love ArmorAll's multipurpose cleaner in a spray bottle. I've taken to using it on just about anything that needs cleaning, works fantasic to remove smoke film from about anything. I use it on the aluminium parts in my engine compartment and it works better than anything I've ever tried on "rough" finished aluminum parts. I wouldn't use ArmorAll protectant on anything, but their cleaner is tops. Some of the places that I used to buy the ArmorAll cleaner at have started carrying other cheaper products so I've been stocking up and buying a bottle or two whenever I find it.

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

I use simple green only on the exterior of the vehicle because of the smell issue, but on the inside I find Meguiar's "EXTRA!" all purpose cleaner to be decent, and a good smell alternative.