Autobead Acid Wheel Cleaner 500ml - Destroy Brake Dust & Contaminants - Concentrated Gel-Based Rim Cleaning Dirt Remover

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. If there are still water spots, give it another go and see how far you get. If the mineral deposits are too tough, you can add more vinegar to your solution, scrub it in, and leave it sitting a little longer.Spray your body panel generously and leave it to sit for a couple of minutes so that it can penetrate deep down and dissolve the mineral deposits. Then, wipe it away with a clean microfiber towel.

Those running wheels with an anodised, chromed or diamond cut finish should instead look to our Custom Wheel Cleaner solution, a product developed specifically for use on expensive aftermarket wheels, or those with thinner, more chemically sensitive coatings. Its carefully developed, acid free, alkaline formulation means that it will have no problem removing the iron deposits caused by repeated braking, yet won’t cause damage to the alloy itself. Acid wheel cleaners, in my opinion, should only ever be used as a last resort if there is heavy stains on the alloy wheels that you can not remove by other means. They are so aggressive that using them on well maintained wheels is not something that is recommended, nor required.

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. This was the second most effective tire cleaner we tested (left side of tire pictured below). It didn’t work quite as well as the Turtle Wax (right side), but this foaming wheel cleaner appeared to remove grime better than any of the other cleaners.

For those that are getting into car detailing, the allure is always to go for the cheaper priced products. Acid wheel cleaners fall into this category. They’re extremely cost effective to make, and therefore this gets passed onto the consumer. As the name suggests, the Chipex Seeing Red cleaner turns red when it’s ready to be rinsed. The manufacturer states that this pH-neutral cleaner is specifically designed to melt away the iron-dust deposit, and it really does seem to work. It really doesn’t need any scrubbing to have even baked-on dust and grime rinsing easily of the wheel’s surface and nooks. It’s not cheap, but if you don’t like to get your hands dirty, this is a great option that’s safe for any type of wheel. 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. There are a number of different types of acid in commercial use today, and though all function in the same basic way when used in an AWC (loosening and eventually removing brake residue), their different composition means that there are some types that you’d be well advised to steer well clear of, both in terms of your wheels and your skin! One example of an acid that you really don’t want to get too closely acquainted with is hydrofluoric acid, yet it remains commonly used (though not by Autoglym) in AWCs. It’s certainly effective and will make short work of most contaminants, but it’s also coarse and overly corrosive, with the potential to damage your wheels and health. 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?

Simoniz Alloy Wheel Cleaner

We tested the wheel cleaners head-to-head on the same tire, applying each product to half of the wheel for a direct comparison. After each test, it was easy to compare cleaner performance side-by-side. 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.

Don’t spray directly onto the car. The acid is highly corrosive to glass, rubber, and plastic trim, so you don’t want any overspray. 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.

\n\t\t\tHalfords Alloy Wheel Cleaner 500ml

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