Sport package wheels and brakes. What Cleaner to use??

LattimerII

I searched and couldn't find a topic on this. What is a safe wheel cleaner for the rims and brake components?

Thanks!

Modshack

Most Wheel cleaners are caustic. If you really want a safe cleaner use soap and wtter..

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m4a1mustang

Go to any autoparts store and buy a wheel cleaner. Follow instructions and they work well. Not necessarily something you want to use all the time, though.

Once you clean them up seal the wheels using a nice wheel sealant like Poorboy's Wheel Sealant. Helps protect the wheels and keeps brake dust and other grime from eating into the wheel. Brake dust will literally wipe off with a cloth and some detailing spray. Protection will last a month or more... Good stuff.

The goal is to keep them clean all the time so you never have to use something really strong.

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GMZ

Soap and water. Once you wax your wheels it becomes a lot easier to clean them.

LattimerII

Soap and water it is then!

You mean wax as in a wheel polish, or are you talking about using the same wax on wheels just like rest of car?

m4a1mustang

Regular wax will work, but may or may not be as durable as a specifically designed wheel sealant like the one I mentioned (which is formulated to withstand life on a wheel).

BTW, I should be more clear and second the soap & water crowd. That's the best method... wheel cleaner gets the stuff that a car wash and a rag can't get.

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GMZ

I just use whatever Im waxing my car with (on a different cloth of course), but I would imagine that wheel waxes/sealants might be more durable on that environment.

tranceformer

I just use the same soap & water combo that I clean the rest of the car with. No need to spend money on special wheel cleaners. I've tried WheelWax before, and wouldn't recommend it at all. I've heard good things about poorboy's wax.

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Ray
2009 370Z Base Sport 6MT / 12.860 @ 109.09mph / 1.921 60ft / street tires
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Mergnthwirker

I've had good success with Griot's wheel cleaner (approved by BBS for use on their wheels). Simple Green is biodegradeable but doesn't work as well. If I remember to wax the wheels, then soap & water works fine.

bucknakedru

I agree!! Griot's is hands down the best. Plus it doesn't strip any wax. +1

initialgemini

Meguiars has a wheel cleaner that's made for rims thats supposedly clearcoat safe. I Just bought the bottle, and I'll post back later to tell you how it works.

Chan Chee Hoe

Anyway,.our brakes have very little brake dust,just use water & wet cloth to clean,don't need any harsh wheel cleaner,i drive 2 German cars,they are real headache,alot of brake dust..

ZKindaGuy

Stoner's Invisible Glass - yes its made for cleaning glass but it is a pure cleaning agent that doesn't leave anykind of residual on the wheels after using it. It also actually loosens the brake dust when sparyed on the inner wheel surface assuming the brake dust isn't baked on from months without cleaning.

Many concourse car show folks use this particular Stoner product to clean their wheels. A nice lustrous shine is the end result even on alloy-type wheels.

grahfz

Combined with a scotchbrite green scrubbie, can get almost anything out of carpet, including dried grape drank and wine.

FricFrac

I've been told the clear coat on the wheels is the same or similar to what they use on the paint. That being said I'm sure whatever products you use on the paint would likely be desireable to use on your clear coated mags... I personally use the wheel brush from EShine - one of those "I wish I knew about this product years ago". Thanks to NXTAZEE as always for the detailing pointers!







I also use the Zymol Wheel Brush for getting in around the lug nuts...



If you keep on top of it - eg washing your mags when you wash the car I don't find there is any significant scrubbing required. I use the same car wash for my mags as for my paint. Before I was using the wheel brush I use to use the wheel cleaner but its very caustic so with the wheel brush I don't need it to loosen up brake dust behind calipers, etc...

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