While there are indeed alloys with certain coatings and finishes that cannot be used in conjunction with AWCs (see below), the majority are fine. Advances made in the field of alloy wheel coatings and lacquers mean that almost all mainstream wheels are more than capable of shrugging off acid wheel treatments, and this is particularly true of more sophisticated cleaning solutions, our own Clean Wheels being a case in point. it was no longer meeting these necessary regulations. So we set about changing to a more advanced and modern version which we can now use because, whilst pricing of ingredients is a lot higher to us, useage is less. That has a couple of impacts for the user: Firstly they are putting less surfactant down the drain and it is thus much less of a load on the water treatment facilities. Secondly, the new product is more easily biodegradable. These combine to give Devils Juice a greener profile. Q) I’ve been told that Clean Wheels is safe to use in all conditions, so can I apply it after I’ve driven my car to a show?A) While Clean Wheels is pre-mixed and therefore requires no dilution before use, its acid base means that you should still be wary about using it in really hot weather or immediately after you’ve driven your car. This is because the liquid that forms an essential element in all cleaning solutions is liable to evaporate in hot weather or when applied to a wheel that’s hot to the touch, and this in turn serves to concentrate the remaining acid, increasing the likelihood of it damaging your wheels. A word of warning: As it reacts to the mineral deposits, the acid will neutralize and release toxic gasses right into your face. You want to be using this product in a well-ventilated area with full protection equipment - gloves, eyewear, and a respirator. A) In the right hands, yes, but be sure to read the label and safety data sheet before you decide. That being said, we really don’t know why you’d want to, not when Clean Wheels is so effective, affordable and simple to use. Clean Wheels has been proven to be every bit as effective as commercial cleaners yet comes in a ready to use form, meaning that you can leave diluting acid wheel cleaners to the professionals. Most reviewers note how well Meguiar’s works, even without scrubbing. While we used a cleaning brush during our test, many reported that simply spraying and washing was enough to fully clean their wheels.

Absolutely amazing product. This stuff is hands-down the best wheel/brakes/suspension cleaner out there that is 100 percent safe for all finishes and waxes/sealants.” – Thumper We tested nine off-the-shelf alloy wheel cleaners, ranging from budget buys to premium products, with some being traditional acidic cleaners, while others rely on alkaline chemicals. Here, we find out which one’s best. Q) Is it true that AWCs are ‘old hat’ and have no place in the modern, professional car cleaning industry? A) Not in the slightest. While it’s certainly true that improper use of poor quality AWCs has the potential to cause damage, they have also been proven to be ultra-effective at ridding wheels of all forms of dirt and grime. Our own Clean Wheels spray is pre-mixed to optimum strength, easy to use, and is suitable for use on most wheels. Occasionally you may need to return an item which you have received, if you are not satisfied with your item you can return the item to uswithin 14 daysof receipt.WD-40 isn’t good for cleaning alloy wheels. It’s better to use a dedicated wheel cleaning product such as Meguiar’s G180132 ultimate wheel cleaner, Chemical Guys Diablo Gel, or Duragloss 821 all wheel cleaner. Can wheel cleaner damage wheels? The best product to clean rims depends on your tire and what you’re trying to clean. Only the most caustic products can fully remove deeply-embedded rust. However, these may also damage chrome or polished metal.

Much like the Halfordscleaner, the CarPlan product uses alkaline action to get your wheels shining, but you need to get a bit more hands-on, because it doesn’t melt away the dirt quite as easily. Perhaps the bigger issue with this cleaner is that it feels a bit too dry. So we added some water (even though the instructions don’t specifyto do so),which made the process easier and more effective. It's not the best cleaner here, but it's still effective enough and good value. If you ever found yourself to be in this situation, then the best course of action would be to rinse it thoroughly and also counteract the low pH by using a pH neutral shampoo on the wheel. This should raise the pH of the area, thereby limit the damage caused. What are the alternatives to acid wheels cleaners? The formula is virtually odor-free and so may be an excellent choice for those sensitive to chemicals. We noticed no streaking when we polished the wheel after applying the TechCare cleaner.

As we’ve already touched upon, AWCs have been part of the car cleaning scene for generations, and though some now have reservations about their use, they continue to play a massive role in the professional car cleaning industry. Fast acting and effective, the chemical makeup of AWCs ensures that they make light work of most contaminants, yet this potency has also resulted in some bad press in recent years, much of it based on hearsay and internet rumour rather than cold, hard fact. Clean wheels are, in our opinion, the most important finisher to get your classic car looking smart and well looked after. No point cleaning it at all if you’re not going to get the wheels sparkling; it’s like cleaning the house and then not vacuuming the carpet.

Consider pairing Acidic Wheel Cleaner with our Heavy Duty wheel and parts brush for those most stubborn ingrained areas of brake dust and grime. How to useEach year, we test over 350 auto products on vehicles and in our testing lab. Our team of product testers thoroughly researches top products, unboxes and puts our hands on each component, and tests the items on real vehicles before making recommendations to readers. Adam’s Polishes] wheel cleaner is good enough to react with the iron particles on the caliper and loosen them to the point it can be sprayed right off, with little to no agitation only if you use a pressure washer with a 40-or-less degree nozzle.” –Bilal F. Wheels are often the dirtiest part of your car and are constantly subject to both dirt and mud from the world and dust and grime from your brakes. The stuff that comes off your brakes is mostly iron unless you have fancy carbon-ceramic brakes (these are only on serious performance cars, and even then, it’s often a four-figure optional extra). Iron gains a static charge when heated and clings to the wheels in a more determined fashion than regular dirt.