First time acid user

A few weeks ago my Ardex rep stopped and saw me slaving over some wheels, he went in his truck and got "wheel attack" an acid based cleaner. He sprayed it on one wheel and in 2 minutes it was clean as new. I couldn't believe it. So he left a sample with me. Yesterday I had a Mustang (1983) with Old, Old, wheels that looked like they were never cleaned. I was laboring over these things and getting nowhere. I went and grabbed the acid and sprayed it on two wheels and rinsed, and WOW, they looked like new wheels. The owner thought I purchased a new set for his car. I will be be careful about using it, and only grab it in real bad situations. Gary
 
Good to know - I have to say on really grubby wheels I always go straight for the acid.



When I first saw the title of this post though I thought it would be more appropriate on a narcotics forum!



Ben
 
Something to remember is that the acid based cleaner really does a good job at stripping everything, including the protectant layer so a nice pass with Klasse AIO + SG, Wheel Sealant, etc. is always a good idea.
 
Just don't ever use it on clearcoated wheels! I watched someone do this once, they were really, really pissed when the clear turned milky white on them.
 
turbomangt said:
What about chrome wheels? I think most of them are clear coated? how would you judge what wheels to use it onand not. can be a costly mistake. Gary



I use acid on almost EVERY detail. I cut it 50/50 with water, spray it on the wheel, count to ten, and hit it with a PW.



Chrome wheels are fine, clear coated wheels are fine, hub caps, and even old school wire wheels.



STAY AWAY from uncoated aluminum, anodized, magnesium, etc. It will flash oxidize these wheels. One way to tell NOT to use acid is take a bit of metal poilsh and apply it to the wheel. If the applicator turns black and the area is "shinny" then the wheel is uncoated and you should NOT use acid.



Common sense goes a long with the use of acid, but I never leave the house without.....ever.
 
These wheels were CC'ed and had brake dust CAKED in the smaller recesses of the wheel. Without acid I could have never restored them.



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What Acid cleaner are you guys using and where can it be purchased?



I used to use EO A2Z which I believe was an acid based cleaner, but the formula might have changed. Is the stuff you are using a whole lot stonger than A2Z? Quite often I found A2Z wouldn't get off the really caked on stuff.
 
mpauly said:
What Acid cleaner are you guys using and where can it be purchased?



I used to use EO A2Z which I believe was an acid based cleaner, but the formula might have changed. Is the stuff you are using a whole lot stonger than A2Z? Quite often I found A2Z wouldn't get off the really caked on stuff.



A2Z is the exact opposite of acid, it is HIGH alkaline.



I buy my acid locally for about $10 a gallon, but EO makes one in their professional line. Google "sparkleauto eagle one acid" that *should * help you out.
 
ebpcivicsi said:
A2Z is the exact opposite of acid, it is HIGH alkaline.



I buy my acid locally for about $10 a gallon, but EO makes one in their professional line. Google "sparkleauto eagle one acid" that *should * help you out.



HERE IT IS
 
ebpcivicsi said:
A2Z is the exact opposite of acid, it is HIGH alkaline.



I buy my acid locally for about $10 a gallon, but EO makes one in their professional line. Google "sparkleauto eagle one acid" that *should * help you out.



Modern A2Z is alkaline, yes. The REALLY old-school A2Z (back when it was in a black bottle) had acid in it. We used some of it just the other day on a set of late 80s mustang wheels that were in really nasty shape. Brought 'em right back. :xyxthumbs



I think the EO pro wheel acid is either the same or a really similar formula to that old A2Z formulation. I don't know for sure though, I've never used it personally. Just what I've heard.
 
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