Griots Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner vs Sonax Full Effect (My Thoughts)

[Pats300zx]

This is a short review that I put together testing two wheel cleaning products that have gotten a lot of attention recently. To begin, this review pars in comparison to some of the amazing reviews that some of the other forum members have put together. This is not my simple thoughts on the products and a completely unbiased review on how I feel they worked.

The products to be tested are Sonax Wheel Cleaner and Griot’s Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner. I have never really been a heavy user of wheel cleaners. However I do feel that in many cases I need something for some of the client’s cars that I detail. I maintain my cars pretty well, washing them a least once a week, and keeping a nice coat of sealant on the wheels to cut down on brake dust. Most of my wheels get cleaned with simple soap and water. In extreme cases I will reach for Griots Wheel Cleaner (Green), Sonax or possibly P21S.

Recently with the release of Griots Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner I felt it would be a good time to compare it to Sonax.

Here are the product descriptors and costs:

Griots Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner:

Griot`s Garage Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner packs a powerful punch against road grime and brake dust, yet it`s safe and gentle on all wheel finishes. The high viscosity formula clings to the wheel face to deliver targeted cleaning muscle. Use Griot`s Garage Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner on your painted, chrome, powder coated, and uncoated aluminum wheels with confidence.

Cost: 35 oz for $16.99 on average

Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner:

SONAX Wheel Cleaner safely and effectively eliminates the most stubborn dirt such as brake dust, oil and rubber residue. Color-change foam lets you know it`s working! SONAX Wheel Cleaner`s acid-free, non-corrosive formula is safe on all types of painted, alloy, anodized, clear coated, chrome, aluminum and stainless steel wheels. Clean with confidence!

Cost: 16.9 ounces for $15.99 on average.

Note: Both cleaners claim to be able to clean without agitation. I am am of the school that all wheels cleaners need some form of agitation to completely clean the wheels, calipers, or inner wheels. Both cleaners claim to be safe for all wheel types. Sonax claims to change color during the removal or iron deposits (nice feature).

Pictures: (The vehicle to be tested is my 2005 Toyota 4Runner. The wheels have not been cleaned in 1.5 to 2 weeks.)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/sonax_review_005.jpg

Wheel to be tested with Sonax

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/sonax_review_003.jpg

Sonax Full Effect

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/sonax_review_001.jpg

Wheel to be tested with Griots

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/sonax_review_004.jpg

Griots Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner

Both products were applied to a wet wheel.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/sonax_review_006.jpg

Griots Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner in action

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/sonax_review_007.jpg

Sonax Full Effect in action. Notice that there is a slight color change but nothing dramtic.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/sonax_review_008.jpg

Sonax Wheel being cleaned. Method was Pinnacle Wash Soap and a Grout Sponge. EZ Detail brush for inner barrels.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/sonax_review_009.jpg

End results of cleaning with Sonax
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/sonax_review_010.jpg

End results cleaning with Griots Heavy Duty (same cleaning method)

Note: Westleys Bleach White and a scrub brush were also used on tires.

Observations and thoughts.

I feel that the Griots HD Wheel Cleaner stacks up to and compares to the Sonax Full Effect. The Griots has a very nice cherry scent and seems to foam more that the Sonax. The Sonax smells horrible and does not foam so I felt that I tended to use more Sonax product.

Both cleaned the same and were a pleasure to work with. For the money you can’t beat the price of the Griots. For just about the same price you almost get double the amount of wheel cleaner. Granted that Griots does not have the “color changing” aspect as it reacts with the iron deposits as the Sonax does but for the money it is an excellent wheel cleaner. All and all both seemed identical, safe on all wheels, and both were excellent at cleaning and rinsing clean.

[Setec Astronomy]

Granted that Griots does not have the “color changing” aspect as it reacts with the iron deposits as the Sonax does

I thought the Griot`s was supposed to do the same thing?

[Pats300zx]

I thought the Griot`s was supposed to do the same thing?

I just checked and you are correct.


Watch Griot`s Garage Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner work! It changes color as it releases brake dust and greasy grime from the wheel. It is clear in the bottle but turns red as it encounters soil. You can see it working!"

My wheels were very clean and I got no color change at all.

[Setec Astronomy]

Yeah, I`ve never gotten any color change, either, even on dirty wheels (ceramic pads?), although I haven`t used it that much. As much as I would like to like these cleaners, they seem like a solution in search of a problem. As you noted, I mostly just use wash soap. If I have to, I`ll use something like the original Griot`s or P21S, and if they are really bad I go to a non-HF/ABF acid cleaner. I didn`t find the Sonax FE to be any more effective than the other neutral cleaners (original Griot`s/P21S)...maybe I would have liked it better if it did the cool color change for me. I`m about to do a rotation on my worst wheels, maybe I`ll give them a little squirt of the Sonax and see if they will turn red for me.

[John@Autopia-Carcare.com]

Very neat to watch it when it does change colors!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1162/IMG_2292.JPG

[TroyScherer]

Nice comparo Pat.

I have some Sonax and have the same non-color change issue. Either I clean my wheels to often or my brakes don`t make enough dust. :D So now it sits in the cabinet collecting dust until the right time arrives.

[Iomcamaro]

The Griot`s HD cleaner works very well. I`ve never seen any wheel cleaner break down the brake dust so easily.

[Brewins]

Nice review. I get the color change on my rotors from the Griot`s HD, but that`s it. I like the Griot`s HD wheel cleaner!