Meguiars Wheel Brightener

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imported_series1

New member
Hey guys, anybody know if a place like a local body shop would carry this stuff. Or would NAPA or some place be able to order it for me? Thanks for any info!



Tim
 
Alright since some of you are saying it's kind of dangerous, what is the most abrasive type of steel wool I could go with to clean the inside of any type of rims. I think I have 0000 would a more abrasive one be any more effective. The Wheel brightener was only gonna be used on the insides of the rims anyway so would it still be dangerous if I took serious precautions?
 
I don't remember the chemical that's in it, but ya, it's not good. I've heard of guys that wear the breathing masks when they use it. Not the little dust ones but the full blown ones. Goggles and gloves for sure.



Have you tried any other wheel cleaners?
 
series1 said:
The best one I've tried is the S100 gel cleaner. In close 2nd is Eagle One A2Z
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Well it's A2Z x10, it will melt your bones!!!! My wheels never looked so clean, actually back in the early 90's armor all used to seel a wheel cleaner in a 16oz bottle similar to Megs WB. I was a kid and breathed a ton of that stuff, it wsa discontinued shortly after.



Steve
 
agreed ^ i accidentally dropped some on the tile floor in the house and it permanently stained/etched it. for anyone who uses it, just make sure to use the proper dilution (4:1 was plenty enough ime). i wouldn't use this weekly but more on a monthly or so basis if the wheels were really dirty. i prefer to use EO1 all wheel & cleaner now, but the downside is it isn't available in gallons...
 
Meg's WB is one of those products where I'm on the fence about purchasing. Like many others, the health risk is the biggest factor for me. I'm just tired of some of the wheels I'm dealing with. I am covered in filth after I'm done with some wheels, and it's hard to wash off my body too. I have a feeling that poses just about as much health risks.
 
I think you get a couple internet threads posted and all the sudden it might as well be Anthrax. I have used a ton of WB and never had an issue. I've got it in my mouth, eyes, and on my skin. Never had an issue with it. It's not like you are bathing in and drinking the stuff. I doubt it's any more dangerous than the fumes you get pumping gas and I have yet to see anybody wearing a gas mask fueling up their Prius.
 
Jason M said:
I think you get a couple internet threads posted and all the sudden it might as well be Anthrax. I have used a ton of WB and never had an issue. I've got it in my mouth, eyes, and on my skin. Never had an issue with it. It's not like you are bathing in and drinking the stuff. I doubt it's any more dangerous than the fumes you get pumping gas and I have yet to see anybody wearing a gas mask fueling up their Prius.
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agreed tottaly man.
 
SHICKS said:
Well it's A2Z x10, it will melt your bones!!!! My wheels never looked so clean, actually back in the early 90's armor all used to sell a wheel cleaner in a 16oz bottle similar to Megs WB. I was a kid and breathed a ton of that stuff, it was discontinued shortly after.



Steve
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I think you were referring to this (with links to safety guidelines & symptoms of poisoning):



Professional Carwashing & Detailing Online :: Brought to you by Grand View Media



"Two deaths and one case of brain damage resulting from ingestion of retail wheel cleaners have been confirmed since 1997. Two of the cases involved Armor All Quicksilver Wheel Cleaner, which was recalled by The Clorox Co. (NYSE:CLX). The product is now formulated without ABF.



Chemists say it's the flouride ions in HF and ABF that make many wheel cleaners and pre-soaks so potentially dangerous. Whether fluoride ions enter body tissues as the result of inhalation or skin contact, they cause deep, progressive burning that may quickly lead to multi-organ failure and death. Long-term exposure to even minimal amounts of ABF can lead to brittle bones, weight loss, anemia, and calcified ligaments.



McFadden says one of the most frightening aspects of fluoride poisoning is that its effects are not immediately apparent. Unlike hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, damage caused by HF and ABF takes place slowly. By the time a victim feels the effects, it's too late to reverse the damage.



If a wash owner chooses to use ABF or HF, experts say the wash should be equipped with a safety shower and eye-irrigation system. If employees will handle these products, they should be provided with gloves, goggles and aprons. If HF or ABF will be used in mist form, which is not recommended, wash employees should also wear masks or respirators.



The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also recommends employers provide a series of gels, injections and pills to combat fluoride poisoning. If these precautions sound extreme, think again. Lethal doses of ABF and HF are estimated between one teaspoon and one ounce. A fluoride burn covering less than two percent of the body can be fatal."



From Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America May 2007:



"Aqueous HF solutions are highly volatile and produce vapors that are lighter than ambient air, often resulting in concomitant inhalational and dermal injury, especially with head and neck exposures [58]. Pulmonary effects include upper airway irritation, narrowing, swelling, and obstruction of the upper airway that may be immediate or delayed up to 36 hours [61]. Physical findings may include stridor, wheezing, or rhonchi, as well as erythema and ulceration of the upper respiratory tract [62]. High concentration HF inhalation may result in rapid onset of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema and death [63].



Ocular exposure to HF may be the result of aqueous or HF vapor contact. Eye contact may result in pain, corneal sloughing, revascularization, corneal opacification, and occasionally keratoconjunctivitis sicca as a long-term complication [64]."



eMedicine - Hydrofluoric Acid Burns : Article by Garry Wilkes



# Solutions of 14.5% immediately produce symptoms.

# Solutions of 12% may take up to an hour to produce symptoms.

# Solutions of less than 7% may take several hours before onset of symptoms, resulting in delayed presentation, deeper penetration of the undissociated HF acid, and a more severe burn.



Consultation with specialty units may be required depending on individual circumstances.



* Toxicologist

* Burn surgeon

* Intensive care specialist

* Ophthalmologist

* Hand surgeon

* Gastroenterologist (following ingestions)



fsu.edu | laboratory safety issues



"Eye and Skin Exposure -- HF is corrosive and readily destroys tissue. Exposure of the eyes to HF may result in blindness or permanent eye damage. HF readily penetrates human skin, allowing it to destroy soft tissues and decalcify bone. Chemical burns from HF are typically very painful and slow to heal. Skin exposure to high concentrated HF (approximately 50% or greater) immediately results in serious and painful destruction of tissue. Not only can skin contact cause burns, but systemic fluoride poisoning may also result.



One of HF's most insidious properties is that skin contact at lower concentrations may not produce pain or burning sensations until hours after the exposure. Because of the ability of HF to produce delayed serious tissue damage without necessarily producing pain, all skin, eye, or tissue contact with HF should receive immediate first aid and medical evaluation even if the injury appears minor or no pain is felt.



Inhalation of HF Vapor -- Inhaling HF vapors can seriously damage the lungs. Delayed reactions up to and including fatal pulmonary edema (flooding of the lungs with body fluids) may not be apparent for hours after the initial exposure. Airborne concentrations of 10-15 ppm will irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. 30 ppm is considered "Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health" (IDLH) and may have irreversible health effects.



Chronic HF Exposure --Long-term or chronic exposure to HF may result in fluorosis, a syndrome characterized by weight loss, bone embrittlement, anemia, and general ill health."



There's more but you get the picture, it's NOT an innocuous product. I hope you folks are using appropriate *safety precautions* and have a *well-equipped emergency room* nearby in case of a mishap!
 
If you take the time to read the Meguiar's MSDS on Wheel Brightner you will see that the concentrate contains 10%-15% ABF. Now figure it's being cut 4:1 when used. You are dealing with about 3% ABF content give or take.

The article you posted above is saying that lethal doses of ABF can be between one teaspoon and one ounce. In a 32oz. spray bottle you have about 1oz if I did my math correctly. So if by "mishap" you mean drinking the whole bottle, then yes, it probably would be a bad thing. So would drinking 32oz. of Drano, or eating a bar of soap, or breathing in too much counter top cleaner, or spilling bleach all over your arm, or huffing gas when you fill up.....



You get the idea. I'm guessing that using at least a couple brain cells will prevent any damgage from Wheel Brightner.



However, I think that if people are concerned about the health effects of using chemicals then they shouldn't use them. ANY chemical used incorrectly is dangerous.
 
Point taken - if used judiciously, it might be worth it to some people (I hope they're getting paid the big bucks for this).



Note that there are serious risks not just from ingestion, but also from inhalation and skin contact. Aren't these the same chemicals that can be used to *etch glass* (i.e., in the right concentrations it dissolves sand and eats glass)?



There is the issue of cumulative, longterm damage as well.



Personally, I'd rather use a little elbow grease and P21S gel then apply a sealant to make cleanup easier next time.
 
FK1 has a very good wheel cleaner by the gallon. It's diluted somewhere between 1:5 - 1:6 ...somewhere in that range. It's a close 2nd to the P21S regular. Wheels look great after using it.
 
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