wheel cleaners

[samiam44]

Good afternoon,

I was looking and wondering if anyone had seen reviews comparing these products??

Einszett wheel cleaner
Diablo Wheel Gel
Sonnax wheel cleaner
SOnnax Full effect (HD)
P21s (golden standard from the 80's)
P21s Gel (improved version of P21s).

I have used the P21s products, which works great on the factory painted wheels- but now I have a mix of painted and polished wheels. Whenever the 500e gets washed at the dealership- the polished wheels are so much brighter than I get at home. I was seeing online ppl using $1.84 toilet bowel cleaner...

Anyway, if you have experience with P21s and now are using one of these other products which you like better- please speak up!

 

[olec]

Using both Sonnax cleaners in my shop for a long time with good results. Don`t leave on for too long.
Would not use toilet cleaner!

 

[samiam44]

Any reason to choose the full effect over the regular?

 

[Hi-Power]

My vote goes for SONAX Wheel Cleaner. After using it for some years, it always get the job done and works great cleaning the brake dust from MB OEM brake pads. Never seen a negative effect on wheel's finish. The FULL EFFECT version is the regular formulation, the PLUS version is 30% stronger than the FULL EFFECT according to SONAX website.

 

[gerryvz]

I use the Griot's Garage Heavy-Duty Wheel Cleaner for major brake dust crust, and their regular Wheel Cleaner for normal touch-up and car-wash jobs. That Heavy Duty stuff is amazing !!

[youtube]q9SS5EcDMJM[/youtube]

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Vs. Sonax
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[Bogeyman]

I might add that it really pays off to keep your wheels waxed. Easy to forget but it really makes a difference.

 

[kwontumspeed]

I must say I don't use 1/5 of the wheel cleaner when I moved away from MB OE pads...

 

[Ntrepid]

My vote goes for SONAX Wheel Cleaner. After using it for some years, it always get the job done and works great cleaning the brake dust from MB OEM brake pads. Never seen a negative effect on wheel's finish. The FULL EFFECT version is the regular formulation, the PLUS version is 30% stronger than the FULL EFFECT according to SONAX website.

+1

It also changes color (from neon green to red) as it reacts with the brake dust. If your wheel stays green after 5 minutes of spraying on SONAX, you're not driving your car between washings.


Robert

 

[samiam44]

Thanks,

Online looks like the einszett won as it cleaned the tires better than the sonnax.

Going to get one and a nice angled brish.

M

 

[autounion]

You really don't need any of these expensive cleaners, I use an orange oil based detergent, spray it on, move it around with a cloth and fingers into the tight areas (I always wear rubber gloves) rinse off. I keep the back of my rims super clean too. A good tip is to chamois off the rim, then take a short run down the street and back, using the brakes to wipe the disc rust off, then chamois clean again. The wheels stay cleaner longer by doing this. It is a good idea to wax rims too. The orange oil detergent won't streak polished alloy, though most are cleared over.
KJ in Oz

 

[nocfn]

Agree with the waxing of the wheels, I use a basic Meguires carnuba wash/wax. Cannot wait until the mb pads wear down for an akebono install.

 

[samiam44]

So just diluted orange oil and water? I've got a bottle for fire ants around the garden or fruit trees.

 

[Lynch]

For the longest time, I used Einszett's ColourTec on all my alloy wheels, and wasn't completely happy, because while it cleaned well (good enough, P21S Gel ended up being better), it felt very superficial, and I still had to scrub very hard with the wheel cleaner brush to get it cleaner.

I have now switched to the P21S Gel, and it's a day/night difference in how it clings onto the wheel surface, is generally less effort to brush around and clean, and have found my wheels to be cleaner afterwards.

Perhaps I am using the Einszett incorrectly, or not spraying enough, but I love using the P21S Gel. Hope this helps.

 

[KoLoS]

For long time I was useing Sonax but then discovered IronX it's much better
https://www.carpro-us.com/paint-decontamination/carpro-iron-x-500ml-16-oz/

 

[Melville]

I recall that Klink explained that you shouldn't use wheel cleaners because over time they cause problems. I can't remember the specific details.

 

[samiam44]

Just don't get any cleaner on your ball joints or tie rod booties!

I guess you could clean them off the car if you have a lift at home.

M

 

[JC220]

Some wheel cleaners are acidic so be sure to read the label before using it long term. I prefer to use a wheel brush & lots of meguires shampoo to really scrub them every time I wash my car. That coupled with regular waxing of the wheel negates the requirement for any wheel cleaners.

Although my daily driver gets washed once a year whether it needs it or not For it I spray TFR detergent on the wheels / tyres & powerwash off.

 

[samiam44]

I was really hoping someone would add a link where some phd chemist gave a DIY formula. For vinyl record cleaning, I found such a thread on AudioKarma and the phd adds notes on how Library of congress does theres.. where exotically priced cleaners like groove glides key ingredients. I bet we are fleeced and all the chemicals are easily available on amazon now!

 

[gerryvz]

The Griot's Garage Wheel Cleaner is approved by BBS and is non-harmful to things.

See at this link: https://www.griotsgarage.com/product/wheel+cleaner.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=Search

 

[Mejnoon]

I use optimum power clean on wheels. Not as aggressive as some of the wheel specific cleaners on the market but if you clean your wheels regularly it is all you need. Not as harsh as other cleaners, and useful for a number of other applications also - safely removing bugs from paint and glass for example.

 

[HowardK]

Just cleaned my wheels with Sonax Plus. I had to repeat the cleaning 2+ times to get the wheels really clean. I swear by Sonax. I hope I was able to upload pictures correctly.

 

[JC220]

I think I have found the best wheel cleaner out there - Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel. Very powerful bleeding type wheel cleaner. I had already cleaned the wheels with a fallout remover on my newly acquired S600 Bi Turbo but pulled the wheels to complete the job tonight. Bearing in mind these wheels and the barrels were already just cleaned - I was amazed to see what the Bilt Hamber found / removed. It cleaned the neglected calipers up a treat also in one application. Super impressed by this stuff




Caveat - I was only cleaning the front face of the calipers this time. They will come off soon to be properly cleaned and re-grease and clean the brake pads before a brake fluid flush

 

[gsxr]

Dang, that stuff is expensive this side of the pond~ $30 USD for a liter:

Amazon.com: Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel 1 Liter, Active Wheel Cleaner: Health & Personal Care

Buy Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel 1 Liter, Active Wheel Cleaner on Amazon.com ✓ FREE SHIPPING on qualified orders

www.amazon.com

 

[LWB250]

I have been using "LA's Totally Awesome" cleaner from the Dollar Store at full strength. Not a big advocate of the retailer, but a buddy turned me on to this stuff and it definitely does the job. I've only used it on painted wheels (Würth silver) for maybe 6-8 months and it doesn't seem to bother the finish.

Crude but effective. Cheap, too. I'm gradually changing everything over to ceramic pads, so dust is becoming less and less of an issue.

Dan

 

[gsxr]

I have been using "LA's Totally Awesome" cleaner from the Dollar Store at full strength. Not a big advocate of the retailer, but a buddy turned me on to this stuff and it definitely does the job. I've only used it on painted wheels (Würth silver) for maybe 6-8 months and it doesn't seem to bother the finish. Crude but effective. Cheap, too.

Which one, Dan?

LA's Totally Awesome All Purpose Cleaner

Prepare yourself to be AWEstruck by our LA's Totally Awesome All Purpose Cleaners. Our versatile products are a one stop shop for all your cleaning needs.

www.lastotallyawesome.com

I'm gradually changing everything over to ceramic pads, so dust is becoming less and less of an issue.

Funny you mention this. I'm gradually changing everything over FROM ceramic pads. I started switching to ceramic maybe 5 years ago and have them on multiple cars. The near-zero dust is fantastic. But I don't like the freakishly long bed-in period, generally wooden pedal feel even after bed-in, and abnormal drag when spinning front wheels by hand. As a bonus, ceramics often squeal like the proverbial stuck pig for the first few cold brake applications in the morning. Add up all of that and I'm done with them. Got a couple sets of new / almost new if anyone wants to buy 'em; think one for 400E/500E (USA), and one for 'Silver Arrow'?

I still haven't found the perfect pad. The last I recall which worked really well was Axxis/PBR Metal Masters, but those have been NLA for about a decade (probably had asbestos or something). Porterfield R4-S is my compromise pad: good feel, instant bed-in, but high price and medium dust levels. I'd like to try Performance Friction carbon metallics but they don't offer pads for W124, ditto for Hawk. Might try EBC (green or yellow) at some point if they have stuff that fits. The OE/OEM pads work well but turn the wheels jet black inside a week.

 

[LWB250]

The all purpose concentrated cleaner. Sorry.

My brake pad requirements are far more pedestrian than what one needs for a 500E, so I'm happy with them. I totally understand your choices, however.

That and the way the spouse burns through pads it's actually cheaper for me to use ceramics on her car, I kid you not. Only person I know who could go through a set of organic pads on a 300SD (W126) in under 18k.

 

[maw1124]

Dang, that stuff is expensive this side of the pond~ $30 USD for a liter:

Amazon.com: Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel 1 Liter, Active Wheel Cleaner: Health & Personal Care

Buy Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel 1 Liter, Active Wheel Cleaner on Amazon.com ✓ FREE SHIPPING on qualified orders

www.amazon.com

But it is hands down the best stuff I’ve ever used. I got some off Amazon and finally got around to using it. I don’t always pay attention to the fine gradations of “clean.” But the wheels are visibly brighter on a casual basis than I can remember, actually. But yes, not cheap. At my rate of use, however, I think it’ll last two or years, so I’ll assess cost benefit as I go.

It’ll be interesting to see what repeated use does. I went to a coin-op wash, and purple fluid was STILL running a bit at the end!

maw

EDIT… I just looked at these wheels again now that they’re dry… I still can’t believe how clean they are… quietly put the Griot’s Heavy Duty ($22 for 35oz) to shame, which is really saying something. I might keep both around the house, one “regular” and one extreme.