Recommend me a good alloy wheel cleaner

[funkyrobot]

I've been trying to find a cleaner for my alloy wheels that isn't acid based and won't do any damage. Various trips around the local motor supply stores have proved futile. I don't think i've seen anything that doesn't include something corrosive.

I've taken a quick look online, but as with most things cyberspace based, it's a bloomin minefield.

I have decided to ask on here for some recommendations. Does anyone know of any decent wheel cleaner that won't burn holes in my wheels, and strip anything other than dirt and brake dust off?

At the moment I am having to use some car shampoo stuff. It isn't very good. I'm also starting to notice a yellowy stain bits appearing on some parts of the wheels, which are on a Mazda 3 sport. And no, I haven't pi**ed on the wheels. Saying that, maybe someone else may have. Sometimes it stinks of p**s where I leave my car. Maybe that's the problem.

So, in summary, does anyone have any recommendations for a good non acid based cleaner that won't kill the wheels, but will remove dirt, brake dust and probably p**s? The other stuff that gets on there is st. But hopefully that's just bird st.

Thanks in advance all.

P.S. The swear filter doesn't work with p**s, so i've had to edit that myself. Thanks all.

[V88Dicky]

I haven't had any problems with the stuff I use occasionally, Turtle Wax Alloy Wheel Cleaner iirc.

[tezzer]

I use Wonder wheels, acid based, but never donw any damage, other than long term to plastic wheel centres, and if used as directed, seems to do what it says on the tin (bottle).

[LuS1fer]

Wonder Wheels used to do a good one.

Out of interest, I recalled that back in the day, I never used to have this problem as much and have found that was possibly because I used good old Fairy Liquid to wash the wheels which is far more aggressive than these wishy-washy car shampoos and remove far more gunk. It obviously washes off protection too but, done regularly, tends to be better at removing brake dust.

[anonymous-user]

WD40 - Works a treat

[djt100]

Another vote for Wonder wheels here. Tried a few and and have ended up going back to this, works well onburnt in brake dust

[funkyrobot]

hombrepaulo said:

WD40 - Works a treat

Thanks. It works brilliantly on brake discs too.

Edited to add - Joking!!!!

Edited by funkyrobot on Friday 3rd June 10:29

[funkyrobot]

Where does one purchase a pot of wonder wheels from?

[Synchromesh]

Don't use Wonder Wheels, as it is acidic.

I did some research and found a good value / easily obtainable option was Autoglym Custom Wheel Cleaner.

Now you have to particularly careful at this point as Autoglym sell 2 wheel cleaners, Clean Wheels, and said Custom wheel cleaner, and the former IS acidic, so the custom stuff is what you want.

HTH

[TVR Tommy]

hombrepaulo said:

WD40 - Works a treat

What?!?! Also sprayed on the brake disc as well to stop them from rusting. you know someone could take your suggestion seriously and go out and kill themselves. Not sure that would be so funny would it.

[D1bram]

Wonder wheels is awfull stuff, good results in the short term but it is far too aggressive and will have the lacquer peeling before long.

I have this same problem at the moment, I got an aerosol cleaner from Halfords recently (own brand) which seems decent but doesn't last long.

[Synchromesh]

Here it is at Halfords

ETA: /\ The custom wheel cleaner it is

[funkyrobot]

Thanks, i'll take a look at that.

[andy43]

I just use Polish.



...they have an eastern-european accent anyway

[MadRob6]

Bilberry wheel cleaner gets some very good reviews. Not used it myself but do intend to get some.

It's not acid based but still breaks through all the crap and supposedly smells like Ribena, what's not to like?

Can get it here for fairly cheap and can also be diluted

[F i F]

Agreed about the Autoglym one, it's alkali and is suitable for polished wheels which the acidic version isn't. It removes dirt and brake dust quite well.

Having said that I had some black grit like stuff on my wheels which was ONLY shifted by sparing application of Wonder Wheels acid accompanied by a lot of agitation with the brush.

The Autoglym stuff removed the brake dust etc fine but just would not touch this griity stuff. NAFC what it was. Real pain to remove.

[anonymous-user]

TVR Tommy said:

What?!?! Also sprayed on the brake disc as well to stop them from rusting. you know someone could take your suggestion seriously and go out and kill themselves. Not sure that would be so funny would it.

I`m not joking. You obviously dont go spraying it directly on the wheel you fking muppet!
Spray on to a cloth and then rub onto the wheel. It does a great job

[funkyrobot]

Thanks all.

I may be worrying too much as the wheels are only the stock Mazda 3 Sport ones, they aren't polished or chrome etc. However, I had them replaced under warranty when I bought the car as they were badly corroded. The car was only just under 3 years old when I got it last year. Based on that level of corrosion, I guess they aren't the most sturdy wheels around.

[the_stoat]

MadRob6 said:

Bilberry wheel cleaner gets some very good reviews. Not used it myself but do intend to get some.

It's not acid based but still breaks through all the crap and supposedly smells like Ribena, what's not to like?

Can get it here for fairly cheap and can also be diluted

This is what I use and it works well. Regardless of what the marketing blurb states it does not have a nice fruity smell!

Make sure you buy a chemical resistant spray bottle mechanism (only around £3) for spraying it on, most wheel cleaners eat the internals of a normal spray bottle mechanism.

[Mattt]

Ditto, I use Bilberry.

Seems fine to me, although I also use Poorboys wheel sealant which makes cleaning them a doddle - as nothing really sticks to them.