Do you guys spend $$$ on wheel cleaners ?

P

pingable

New member
I'm just looking at what's out there on the market



For me, I have used 3 types for the last couple of years.



Griots Car Wash - 2X-3X a week summer wash

Citri Gel - if the wheel is grimey and I just want a gentle product to cut the grit down



Then just my stash of APC which for wheels I just 4:1. I tend to use this on wheelwells and winter wheels. At the end of winter, I may even go even 3:1 just to get rid of the grime and all and then thoroughly wash/clean/store them away.



Prior to the trio and Autopia, I used to use P21S Wheel cleaner.....which I still like, just from the economics of it, the trio products I use cover a wider range for me.



Hell, I've got 3 old spray bottles of Mothers Tire Cleaner. Looks and Smells like APC cut with water to me ;-)
 
If you have a layer of wax/sealant protecting the wheels, you'd be surprised that even a dry swipe of the finger will take the brake dust right off!
 
mikebai1990 said:
If you have a layer of wax/sealant protecting the wheels, you'd be surprised that even a dry swipe of the finger will take the brake dust right off!
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Ditto - I agree. Personally I just believe in washing the wheels with the car once a week, and waxing every couple-a-weeks or so, just to give 'em some protection.
 
Wax does NOTHING for me...I have low dust brake pads.

The roads out here are just dirty....and I tend to get tar sometimes, if not just water spotting/soil on the wheels just due to construction which I can't seem to avoid. Hell, I've been know to go local only to have the *over head construction* water from above be splattered on me as I take the local routes ;-)



The point was that a $15 bottle of APC is more versatile for my needs than the wheel cleaners which I've seen range from $40-$90 a gallon. I think that more/less what I paid for Citri Gel when it was available .



Then again the Griots is around $40 but just short of polishing, I don't mind spending $$$$ on quality washing products/tools/towels for paint as that is what I would use most on the car and to me, they make/break the marring on the paint once properly polished..
 
chefwong said:
Prior to the trio and Autopia, I used to use P21S Wheel cleaner.....which I still like, just from the economics of it, the trio products I use cover a wider range for me.
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chef, I'm with you. I'm a diehard wheel cleaner user. I never found the level of cleanliness and brightness I desire by using just a wheel wax or car wash during my weekly wash routine. It just wasn't getting the job done. :(



Tip: You can buy the S100 wheel cleaner (available in 5L jugs!!) for about 1/2 the cost of the excellent P21S product. :D



Tip: FK1 has a 1st class wheel cleaner. Almost equal to P21S. Comes in gallons ~$25 and you mix 4:1. Good stuff.
 
I use Amazing Roll off, diluted and I have been using the same gallon for the past year. The stuff works great and is very versatile
 
I use wheel brightener on most cars... a $20 gallon lasted me through 40+ cars when cut 4:1. For my own personal car, I've got polished aluminums and I don't use any wheel cleaners, just soap and water weekly plus S100 Polishing Soap once in a while.
 
chefwong said:
Wax does NOTHING for me...I have low dust brake pads.

The roads out here are just dirty....and I tend to get tar sometimes, if not just water spotting/soil on the wheels just due to construction which I can't seem to avoid. Hell, I've been know to go local only to have the *over head construction* water from above be splattered on me as I take the local routes ;-)
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Have you tried collinite on your wheels? That's what I use on my bimmer and you know how those cars are with brake dust. Collinite works for me I get about 3-4 full weeks of great protection meaning a quick wipe during a wash and the wheels are clean and shiny.
 
I spend what i need to to get the wheels clean. It is easy enough to protect my car but when im working on clients i needsomthing that works.



I use p21s gell wheel cleaner, I love this stuff, its a little procey but well work it if you ask me
 
so far I've only used soap and water for my own wheels, but since I just picked them up, curious what does everyone else use aside from soap and water on polished wheels?
 
DieselMDX said:
where can i buy the s100 Tom?
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Diesel, it was an on-line Harley business..I don't recall the name. One place has 5L for $43, another for $49. If you have an HD shop near your home that retials the S100 product line, that could be an excellent alternative.
 
new2mud said:
Meguire's All Purpose Cleaner, I believe. Although I think everyone is referring to the APC Plus now?
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I consider APC as any all purpose cleaner. I get mine from a local chemical company and use it for just about anything in different concentrations.

5:1 for wheels and engine

10:1 for real tough interior cleaning

15:1 for a general cleaner
 
APC = all-purpose cleaner



I've tried a number of different APCs on wheels, and I'm really not happy with the effect/outcome. Riskes of clouding, staining, etc. aren't appealing. I'm looking hard at P21s Total Auto Wash and Gel Cleaner (at least for my vehicles). I know the price is considerably more for these products, but I think I would be much more pleased in the long run. And the recommendations from several very trusted sources on this site and others for these products has me all the more convinced that's the direction I need to go.
 
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