My Review of Poorboys Spray & Rinse/Menzerna Wheel Gel

A

Anthony O.

New member
I washed a really dirty CL600 today and figured I would try out the Menzerna Wheel & Tire cleaner.



I also documented Poorboys Spray & Rinse wheel cleaner. This is not a side-by-side test of the two but rather just two wheel cleaners I tried out at the same time.



Here is the Poorboys wheel:



328CLfrntwhl-med.jpg




Poorboys went on very easy but I do recommend that you use a heavy duty solvent resistant sprayer. It will ruin your normal sprayers in a few uses.



I allowed each wheel cleaner to dwell for 2 minutes and then hosed them each off with a household water hose and nozzle. Using my pressure washer would of be best but not everyone has a pressure washer so using it would of given me results rather unbalanced for the general public.



PB's is pleasant to work with BUT use caution on aluminum wheels. I would not spray it on aluminum wheels but rather sponge it on.



After 2 minutes I rinsed it of using only garden hose pressure. Here is a picture taken right after rinsing it:



328PrbysSpryRnse-med.jpg




Pretty impressive eh?



Here is the right wheel, which will get the Menzerna wheel cleaner.



328RTCLwhl-med.jpg




The packaging of the Menzerna is of course top notch but that soon faded away as the spray trigger on the bottle doesn't work well at all. Because it is a "gel" it just spurts out in unsightly clumps. There is no adjusting of the sprayer to get a better pattern or flow. At this rate it would take the whole bottle to thoroughly cover 4 wheels!



Here is a picture of the Menzerna Gel on the wheel. This is after several squirts.



328MnzrnaGel-med.jpg




After allowing it to dwell for 2 minutes I rinsed the wheel with garden hose pressure. The results were not good at all. The Menzerna wheel cleaner needs agitation in order for it to work properly. Here is an AFTER picture.



328MnzrnaWhlAftr-med.jpg




Conclusion:



Menzerna wheel gel is an OK wheel cleaner but nothing special. P21S is perhaps just as good if not better. If you want a VERY safe wheel cleaner and you like to keep within one line then Menzerna wheel cleaning gel will suit you fine. Just don't expect it to be a spray & rinse product. For that PB's spray & rinse is a great product that does what it says.



Thanks,

Anthony
 
Thanks for the comparison Anthony. Poorboys does a very nice job, I don't think I'll be running out to buy the Menzerna anytime soon. I imagine with some wiping and agitation it would perform ok. Were you able to remove that mark on the right wheel?
 
Thanks for the comparison Anthony. Poorboys does a very nice job, I don't think I'll be running out to buy the Menzerna anytime soon. I imagine with some wiping and agitation it would perform ok. Were you able to remove that mark on the right wheel?



Paul
 
Nice comparison, Anthony! I don't normally use wheel cleaners with QEW but if I run into a car regularly with nasty wheels, it looks like Poorboy's would work best for me.
 
Nice review Anthony, I like how you compared the Menzerna product to PB's SNR, which is already well known to many Autopians. Also good to see you post a 'negative' review on a product, where it is warranted.



A few questions, did you use Menzerna as directed? Do they claim it is a spray and rinse cleaner? I haven't tried it yet.



Also, do you know the PH of each product and what warnings (if any) are given on the containers (health or use, eg. use rubber gloves or do not use on after-market painted wheels).



Thanks,
 
If it's dangerous to alloy wheels, the poorboys must contain some pretty nasty ingredients like hydroxide, acids or alkaline salts



Will stick with Detailers Pride Gel Wheel cleaner, it's top stuff

have always shampoo'd the wheels with non wax car wash after the pride gel
 
SVR said:
If it's dangerous to alloy wheels, the poorboys must contain some pretty nasty ingredients like hydroxide, acids or alkaline salts



Will stick with Detailers Pride Gel Wheel cleaner, it's top stuff

have always shampoo'd the wheels with non wax car wash after the pride gel
Click to expand...



When I reviewed PB's SNR (http://autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=44507&highlight=SNR ) I tested PB's SNR as being right around PH4, a moderate acid.
 
I've been using it for a month or so. On maintained wheels, you can cut it 30%. It's a time saver for sure. I don't miss scrubbing down the inner rims on my car.
 
Thanks Anthony :)



Just a couple comments...



yes S&R is strong stuff, and i would take professional precautions when using any wheel cleaner, ie goggles, gloves....



dilution to 50/50 will work on most vehicles, especially those owned by Autopians;)



S&R is NOT intended for Polished Aluminum wheels, there will definitely be a need to polish them if you do, but I've never thought of applying with a sponge on them and will have to give it a shot.



and lastly.. yes, please rinse out your sprayers after the days use for longevity of the sprayer
 
hey folks,



Not sure of the PH for the Menzerna but it is claimed to be safe for all wheel types. The only health precautions for the Menzerna is, don't drink it! :) Ya know the usual keep away from kids, eyes, etc.



The Menzerna is a wheel cleaner that needs agitation. I am sure it works OK in that form but I did not agitate because I was looking for cleaning strength. To be fair to Menzerna it did not claim to be a "spray N rinse" type product nor did I seek to do a head to head contest with Poorboys. It's just that I had both on hand at the time and did similar tests.



For me as a pro I would go for the Poorboys because it will clean the entire wheel and if you have a pressure washer you should be able to remove some pretty caked on brake dust.



I was able to remove the scuff mark on the wheel. The Menzerna trigger performed so poorly that I had to do all the remaining wheels with the PB's product.



As for the "negative" review.....I'll try to give more of them and hope not to come off as "negative", as in attacking. I love the Menzerna polishes and also the fine folks at CMA. This may be a fine and safe wheel cleaner for the enthusiast with some slight elbow grease.



I'll be posting up something soon about the Menzerna Acrylic Spray.



Thanks,

Anthony
 
Thanks for the review Anthony.



I absolutely figured the Menzerna would be more of an enthusiast type product. I haven't had such success with PB S&R yet, but intend to keep trying. How warm is it near you? When I did the testing, it was in the low 40's.
 
Sean,



It was a fairly warm day, close to 70. Actually it was beautiful yesterday......and today we have more rain, ARGHHhhhhhhhh!



I am surprised that you have not had good results with the PB's product. The weather conditions may play a part in that. Perhaps Steve can shed some light on that.



Anthony
 
Ordered the Menzerna Wheel Cleaner next week...sounds like it's not that strong. Typically I had been using S100 Total Cycle wash, so I'll see how it compares.



I think the pH is 7.5, according to the CMA page.
 
Anthony,



Have you ever used Eagle One A2Z ?



How does S&R compare to that ?



I'll need to grab some wheel cleaner soon as I always get a lot of bad wheels to detail. I am debating an S&R purchase over A2Z?



Depending on sales/specials pricing, I see A2Z advantage in cost. It can be used on the tires also so that's an advantage to me also.



But still wanted to know if it truly cleans stubborn wheels better than A2Z.



Thanks !
 
doublel said:
Anthony,



Have you ever used Eagle One A2Z ?



How does S&R compare to that ?



I'll need to grab some wheel cleaner soon as I always get a lot of bad wheels to detail. I am debating an S&R purchase over A2Z?



Depending on sales/specials pricing, I see A2Z advantage in cost. It can be used on the tires also so that's an advantage to me also.



But still wanted to know if it truly cleans stubborn wheels better than A2Z.



Thanks !
Click to expand...



I have used the A2Z in time past and if my foggy memory serves me correctly is was an OK cleaner but as far as power goes the PB's will come out on top. Remember though that the Pb's can be cut with water so this can be a money saver.



I have two bottles. One cut about 40 or 50% with water for "not so bad" wheels (I use soap and water for most of my regulars) and then keep a full strength bottle for those :shocked type wheels.



Top of the Line's "Wheel Wash" is also an excellant and very powerful wheel cleaner, which also happens to be very economical.



I believe either of those would be a better product than the Eagle One product, IMHO.



Anthony
 
But still wanted to know if it truly cleans stubborn wheels better than A2Z.
Click to expand...



I am curious as well. I know that Eagle One A to Z just improved its forumula. I wonder how it compares since EO is much easier to obtain.
 
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