What wheel cleaner on polished wheels?

[cobrar97]

I have a new F150 Platinum that has the polished aluminum wheels. I don`t know if they have a coating (clearcoat) of some sort or not. On painted/cleared wheels, I`ve always used something basic like Simple Green to clean my tires, and it always gets on the wheels too. I`m afraid that product (or those like it) may haze these polished wheels. Does anyone know the proper product to be using on this wheel?

[Accumulator]

cobrar97- It`s a safe bet that they`re cleared, but that doesn`t mean they`ll take abuse. I`d clean `em with Griot`s Wheel Cleaner, though there are other good options like 1Z.



I`d keep Simple Green far away from any vehicle that I cared about. Not hating on it, but I don`t use it for detailing jobs as IMO there are better options that are also less likely to do damage.

[cobrar97]

Is there a product that can do both tires and wheels safely?

[Dan]

Is there a product that can do both tires and wheels safely?



Yes, car wash soap. Wheel cleaners are for wheels that aren`t maintained or cars with extremely dusty wheels. If you keep a good sealant on the wheels, soap and water should be fine, even on a performance car.

[Accumulator]

Yes, car wash soap. Wheel cleaners are for wheels that aren`t maintained or cars with extremely dusty wheels. If you keep a good sealant on the wheels, soap and water should be fine, even on a performance car.



Huh, never really tried using my sorta-strong shampoo mix (which I use on wheels/etc.) on the tires :think: But then again, I let mine get awfully bad between washes, so maybe I oughta stick with the Griot`s Rubber Cleaner.



If somebody`s using an appropriate APC (the green 3D stuff comes to mind), it oughta work OK on both the wheels and tires.

[cobrar97]

I wash my vehicle all the time...often using ONR weekly when it hasn`t been driven in the rain at all. I always do my wheels at this time, but pass over the tires; therefore, they build up crap. Maybe I just need to do the tires too.

[Dan]

As long as you use a water based tire protectant, you should be fine. I only reach for a dedicated tire cleaner when I`ve been playing with a solvent based product.

[Ron Ketcham]

I have a new F150 Platinum that has the polished aluminum wheels. I don`t know if they have a coating (clearcoat) of some sort or not. On painted/cleared wheels, I`ve always used something basic like Simple Green to clean my tires, and it always gets on the wheels too. I`m afraid that product (or those like it) may haze these polished wheels. Does anyone know the proper product to be using on this wheel?

First things first!

First, take a clean, white terry cloth towel and some mild automotive polish and gently polish a small area that is not where you would notice a big difference.

If, when you do this "polish test", look to see if you have a "black" residue on the towel.

Should you see the black on the towel, they are NOT clearcoated, and one must be willing to use a mild soap and water only. Plus, if "NOT" clearcoated, be prepared to obtain a good mag/aluminum polish and polish them at least twice a year.

Now, "no black residue", then they are powder coated clear wheels. With that known, you may then use almost any wheel cleaner on them.

[cobrar97]

Great...I`ll do that test tonight to see what they are.

[Accumulator]

Great...I`ll do that test tonight to see what they are.



Do it *very* conservatively. I`m going with "cleared!" here, and you don`t want your test to mess things up.

[Accumulator]

As long as you use a water based tire protectant, you should be fine..[washing tires with car shampoo]..



Ah, OK..I do use Z16. But again, mine get awfully dirty between washes :o Gross brown sudsy foam on `em when I`m scrubbing, brush gets incredibly filthy.