I know there's a lot of good tire cleaners (because it takes something strong), but some of that stuff I don't think I really want getting on my wheels. Is there a recommended tire cleaner that's still ok to get on the wheels. What's everybody found works good? Just don't want to use Simple Green.
What's the best TIRE cleaner?
- Thread starter cobrar97
- Start date
I picked up a bottle of Mothers new Back to Black Tire Renew (this is not the tire dressing) tire cleaner. Luckely I found it at a local Auto Parts store. Was very pleased with the results and ease of use--spray on the tire, let sit for 15 seconds, I chose to also agitate with a brush and then wipe off with a throw away shop towel. Really removed the grime and browning very well--tires looked like they had been dressed with a matt tire dressing. Some run off on the wheels, but just wiped it away and it didn't seem to affect the LSP on the wheels. No strong chemical smell like some tire cleaners. https://store.mothers.com/product_info.php?products_id=257&cPath=13
Dan
Well-known member
pwaug said:
Hahaha...that's cheating. Franks has almost the full mothers line. They even have Collinite.
Personally I like Eagle One and Mothers Tire and Wheel. I don't use them on wheels, just tires. Mothers might be a bit better, and its available via Amazon prime. Its getting harder to find the Eagle One stuff.
Didn't Meg's just come out with a wheel and tire cleaner?
SON1C
New member
mothers wheel and tire cleaner is the best I've used, nothing has matched it and I actively pursue a replacement, have tuffshine tire cleaner on deck though!
shortspark
New member
I do not want a tire cleaner product that I have to worry about getting on the wheels so I always try to find one that cleans both tires and all types of wheels. CGs "Diablo" works well but my favorite is Mother's Foaming Wheel and Tire Cleaner. Most of the time I do not even have to agitate it with a brush - just hose off with water spray. I have ordered Meguiar's new Wheel and Tire Cleaner and I am anxious to compare it with the Mother's.
tom p.
Active member
shortspark said:
+1. And part of the reason I've selected Autoglym's (non-acid) wheel cleaner....it's outstanding on wheels and tires.
Anything that "foams" and does not need to be scrubbed is definitely more harsh on your tires and wheels...
APC+ has worked better than the bleach-white cleaner even on whitewalls. OPC is even better than APC+. The tuff shine stuff is also decent. Any of these are wheel safe, but like any wheel cleaner do not let it dry on the wheel and do not apply when whe wheel is hot/warm.
The tuff shine tire brush, however, makes the most significant difference in cleaning the tires imo, paired with any cleaner!
Also, clean the tires multiple times even if they look clean after the first time. I typically spray with opc as I clean the wheels, then scrub. I hit them up again right there and then or during final wash (if I don't use wheel covers there is always some polish dust on the tires).
APC+ has worked better than the bleach-white cleaner even on whitewalls. OPC is even better than APC+. The tuff shine stuff is also decent. Any of these are wheel safe, but like any wheel cleaner do not let it dry on the wheel and do not apply when whe wheel is hot/warm.
The tuff shine tire brush, however, makes the most significant difference in cleaning the tires imo, paired with any cleaner!
Also, clean the tires multiple times even if they look clean after the first time. I typically spray with opc as I clean the wheels, then scrub. I hit them up again right there and then or during final wash (if I don't use wheel covers there is always some polish dust on the tires).
Jesstzn
New member
I have used a lot and if your looking for a tire cleaner only the best I have found is LA Awesome. I spray it on the tires at the start of my detail and let it dwell while I clean up the frontal area then rehydrate with a mist of water and use a stiff brush. The brown will just run off. It is safe on all wheels but the bare aluminum ones ( as is with most cleaners ). but like any tire cleaner do not apply when the wheel is hot/warm. Don't rule it out until you try it. It.s a dollar a bottle.
togwt
The Old Grey Whistle Test
Griot's Garage has two excellent products for cleaning rubber. Griot's Garage Rubber Cleaner is for regular cleaning; like a car wash for your tires, cleans rubber tires, trim, and hoses to prepare them for a coat of protectant, it will also removes the white mould release from new tyres. Rubber dressings bond better with clean rubber.
For more serious cleaning, Griot's Garage Rubber Prep is an intense cleaner for heavily soiled rubber tires, trim, mouldings, seals, and hoses, which strips away silicones, sealants, waxes, oils and greases to properly prepare the rubber This gel rubber cleaner removes old dressings and road grime to prepare the surface for a coat of rubber dressing by getting down to the bare tyre rubber.
Finish tyre cleaning by using a micro fibre towel, the micro barbs in its nap will remove any leftover dirt / debris. Micro fibre came about by combining two DuPont inventions: hydrophobic Polyester (a scrubbing fibre) which also gives the material strength and durability and a hydrophilic Polyamide (an absorbing fibre) that is tremendously absorbent and quick drying.
For more serious cleaning, Griot's Garage Rubber Prep is an intense cleaner for heavily soiled rubber tires, trim, mouldings, seals, and hoses, which strips away silicones, sealants, waxes, oils and greases to properly prepare the rubber This gel rubber cleaner removes old dressings and road grime to prepare the surface for a coat of rubber dressing by getting down to the bare tyre rubber.
Finish tyre cleaning by using a micro fibre towel, the micro barbs in its nap will remove any leftover dirt / debris. Micro fibre came about by combining two DuPont inventions: hydrophobic Polyester (a scrubbing fibre) which also gives the material strength and durability and a hydrophilic Polyamide (an absorbing fibre) that is tremendously absorbent and quick drying.
Accumulator
Well-known member
TOGWT said:
I use both of these. The Rubber Cleaner is *very* mild, possibly too mild for most people. The Rubber Prep is simply *great* stuff, a [freakin'] miracle product IMO, but it's awfully pricey for regular use.
Leadfootluke
New member
I have used a bunch of products, and I currently use Megs APC+ and OPC with great results. However, the Tuf Shine brush is what really sticks out. I've never used such an effective tool, definitely a must have.
Bunky
Detailing Gnosis
For what I have tried ...Optimum, Meg's, PB's APC, ARO, Mothers Wheel and Tire....
Mothers Back-to-Black Tire Renew
Easy no rinse tire cleaner
Background
I was washing the Dakota recently and had cleaned the tires with Meg's APC 4:1 and a scrub pad. I did not immediately dry the tires and proceeded to wash the paint. Once I finished washing the paint, the tires had dried somewhat and noticed the tires did not come out as well as I liked. The dirt was gone and whitewalls looked good but there was still some tire brown on the tires especially near the edge in the tread area. I decided to try a sample of a Mothers tire cleaner advertised as a no rinse tire cleaner since I did not want to go get the hose back out again.
Manufacturer's Description
Mothers® Back-to-Black® Tire Renew is formulated with encapsulating cleaning agents to dissolve and lift stubborn browning, dirt, soil, grease, grime, road film, brake dust and old dressings from any color or brand of tire, even whitewalls. Modern chemistry ensures that our Back-to-Black® Tire Renew is tough on tenacious dirt, but gentle and safe on your tires, leaving a long-lasting, naturally clean surface. Just spray on and wipe off. It’s that easy.
Source: Free sample
Size: 24oz.
Cost: $6.99.
Product Packaging
Product Rear
Labeled Directions:
Begin with cool, dry surface. Clean one tire at a time. Do not let dry.
1. Match spray nozzle to tire (low or wide profile)
2. Spray tire, let dwell for 15 seconds
3. Wipe away and dry any surrounding areas
Observations
Scent: slight chemical smell similar to some glass cleaners
Clinginess: very good
Sprayer: Two position sprayer for wide and narrow spray patterns (I used narrow)
Before Generally clean but still tire brown
The tire had been cleaned with Meguiars APC 4:1 and a scrub pad after dwelling for a short period. I used the APC on the wheels face and barrel, wells, and tire. Meg's cleaned the white walls and removed the dirt but did not remove the residual tire brown I often see on Michelin tires. The brown is most obvious on the outer diameter of the tire and has a two tone appearance between the inner and outer that I attribute to the molding process. The outer area behaves differently - different finish, more tire brown.
Process:
Wearing nitrile gloves, sprayed tire, let dwell 15 seconds, then wiped with a terry cloth towel.
After four tires
After: Finished
Before and after
After: Entire tire
Pro's
Con's
Unknowns
Conclusion
I had been looking for something to deal with tire brown on my Michelins and had tried multiple cleaners. This product really worked where others have failed.
What makes this nice is that it is a spray on wipe off product so perfect for waterless and rinseless users who want clean tire in a way no washless or rinseless washes for paint can do. It may not replace your regular all purpose cleaner but a good product to have for this special purpose when you get stubborn tire brown.
Mothers Back-to-Black Tire Renew
Easy no rinse tire cleaner
Background
I was washing the Dakota recently and had cleaned the tires with Meg's APC 4:1 and a scrub pad. I did not immediately dry the tires and proceeded to wash the paint. Once I finished washing the paint, the tires had dried somewhat and noticed the tires did not come out as well as I liked. The dirt was gone and whitewalls looked good but there was still some tire brown on the tires especially near the edge in the tread area. I decided to try a sample of a Mothers tire cleaner advertised as a no rinse tire cleaner since I did not want to go get the hose back out again.
Manufacturer's Description
Mothers® Back-to-Black® Tire Renew is formulated with encapsulating cleaning agents to dissolve and lift stubborn browning, dirt, soil, grease, grime, road film, brake dust and old dressings from any color or brand of tire, even whitewalls. Modern chemistry ensures that our Back-to-Black® Tire Renew is tough on tenacious dirt, but gentle and safe on your tires, leaving a long-lasting, naturally clean surface. Just spray on and wipe off. It’s that easy.
Source: Free sample
Size: 24oz.
Cost: $6.99.
Product Packaging
Product Rear
Labeled Directions:
Begin with cool, dry surface. Clean one tire at a time. Do not let dry.
1. Match spray nozzle to tire (low or wide profile)
2. Spray tire, let dwell for 15 seconds
3. Wipe away and dry any surrounding areas
Observations
Scent: slight chemical smell similar to some glass cleaners
Clinginess: very good
Sprayer: Two position sprayer for wide and narrow spray patterns (I used narrow)
Before Generally clean but still tire brown
The tire had been cleaned with Meguiars APC 4:1 and a scrub pad after dwelling for a short period. I used the APC on the wheels face and barrel, wells, and tire. Meg's cleaned the white walls and removed the dirt but did not remove the residual tire brown I often see on Michelin tires. The brown is most obvious on the outer diameter of the tire and has a two tone appearance between the inner and outer that I attribute to the molding process. The outer area behaves differently - different finish, more tire brown.
Process:
Wearing nitrile gloves, sprayed tire, let dwell 15 seconds, then wiped with a terry cloth towel.
After four tires
After: Finished
Before and after
After: Entire tire
Pro's
- Cleans tire brown faster and better without lots of scrubbing than APC's I have used (Poorboy's 7.5:1, Meg's 4:1, Optimum straight, ARO straight)
- No rinsing, spray on wipe off process
- Cost for a ready to use product
- Short dwell time
- Good clinging so does not immediately run down tire if you do not oversaturate
Con's
- Additional chemical in the process just for rubber when an APC can usually do all aspects of wheel area cleaning (wells, barrels, tires)
- Cost for higher volume users, no concentrate or gallons
- Short dwell time fore some where it does not fit their process
Unknowns
- Safety on other surfaces and risks of longer dwellling
- Have not washed the terry cloth so do not know how clean it will get
Conclusion
I had been looking for something to deal with tire brown on my Michelins and had tried multiple cleaners. This product really worked where others have failed.
What makes this nice is that it is a spray on wipe off product so perfect for waterless and rinseless users who want clean tire in a way no washless or rinseless washes for paint can do. It may not replace your regular all purpose cleaner but a good product to have for this special purpose when you get stubborn tire brown.
Swanicyouth
New member
Jesstzn said:
I use LATA on tires and agree it works very well, better than most products designed to clean tires. However, I'm always very careful. I'm not sure where your getting its "safe" on all wheels though? I'm super careful to rinse it off right away and never let it dry.
Accumulator
Well-known member
Bunky- Thanks for posting about that, I know *exactly* what you mean about the Michelins!
If you think of it, post back about how the tires clean up *the next time* after having had the Mother's on them.
If you think of it, post back about how the tires clean up *the next time* after having had the Mother's on them.
imported_Denzil
New member
Interesting... I've always found the Eagle One A2Z product pretty good for tires. Was thinking of switching it up to something more general like an APC.