Armoral Wheel Cleaner REVIEW + My over the top detail teaser pics...

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danforz

New member
REVIEW

Product: Armor All® - Product Detail

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I usually use MOTHERS FX Tire cleaner, which melts away break dust with ease. I do NOT like to clean rims, and typically would just leave them be after using the Mothers. So I'm no looking to do any scrubbing with this product either. I wanted to try something new so I decided to try out the line of new armoral stuff.



First Impression

Wow, seems like AA is trying to make a good impression on buyers. The product FEELS better then other bottles. The nozzle is sturdy, and includes 3 settings: Off, Spray, Foam - very handy.



Test

Before:



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After hosing the product off - WITH OUT any scrubbing



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WOW! I thought... I didn't see any brake dust melting off after spraying with the product but a lot of it came off after hosing. The product also did an excelent job of melting away the grime from my tires.



However, this only happened with the front left wheel. The rest of the wheels, after applying the same procedure, looked like this:



100CASIO_00010.jpg


Sadly, not what I'm looking for.



Conclusion

The product didn't meet my criteria. But then again, to be fair, the direction do indicate that your supposed to scrub your wheels - something I avoided. I want a wheel cleaner that involves little to no agitation or cleaning by hand. Mothers was excellent for this. However, mothers also made you sick if you inhaled the fumes. The AA is a much gentler product, and the directions SPECIFY cleaning the rims by hand - something I avoided. I'll give it this: Unlike mothers (which you can actually taste in the air - YUCK), I wouldn't be afraid of getting this stuff all over my hands, if I were to actually clean my rims. In fact, I think it'd do a pretty good job in that regard. When I have the time to really clean my rims, I'll update my considerations.



Just for fun, progress on my over kill detail:

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Opinions thus far?
 
I think you BMW guys are especially prone to having heavy brake dust on the wheels. Even if this Armor All stuff is available OTC, sometimes it pays to pay extra for the boutique stuff that packs more punch.
 
truzoom said:
I think you BMW guys are especially prone to having heavy brake dust on the wheels. Even if this Armor All stuff is available OTC, sometimes it pays to pay extra for the boutique stuff that packs more punch.
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BMW does break hard, these particular models have a very rigid feel to the breaks as well. As far as OTC vs. Boutique... I've found Mothers tire fx to work VERY (minus toxic fumes) and its over the counter
 
truzoom said:
I think you BMW guys are especially prone to having heavy brake dust on the wheels. Even if this Armor All stuff is available OTC, sometimes it pays to pay extra for the boutique stuff that packs more punch.
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An inaccurate generalization. :mad:
 
Danforz said:
BMW does break hard, these particular models have a very rigid feel to the breaks as well.
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Brake, not break, please..



In my opinion, most wheel cleaners are designed and should be agitated in order to clean wheels properly. The only way by which it would be completely clean without agitation would be to use wheel acid or something like Meguiars Wheel Brightener, which is by no means necessary or great to use every time.



Do you already have wax/sealant protection on the wheels? If you do, you can just simply use car soap to remove the brake dust (you will need to use some agitation, as you do when you wash the rest of the car as well.)



Also.. I don't understand why only your left front wheel would be so clean, while the others are dirty. If anything, it should be the rear wheels that clean more easily than the front wheels.
 
mikebai1990 said:
Also.. I don't understand why only your left front wheel would be so clean, while the others are dirty. If anything, it should be the rear wheels that clean more easily than the front wheels.
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Exactly :confused:
 
in all honesty, you should really invest in a wheel cleaning mitt or brush for agitation. There is no way around this. I use my retired paint sheepskin wash mitts for wheels, but then again, my OEM wheels are more open and I can fit my hand through the spokes the clean the inner barrel. I actually use no wheel cleaner and just use a fairly high dilution citrus degreaser (gentle) for a little more punch than just car soap when they are very dirty.
 
If you are only spraying and rensing, you aren't actually getting the wheels totally clean. You pretty much have to agetate with any product. Just get a good boar's hair wheel brush and rub it around a little. That doesn't take that much longer.
 
if the EO1 all wheel & tire cleaner (love this stuff :up ) is too aggressive for you and you want to try another otc wheel cleaner, try this one as it's the most gentlest wheel cleaner they make...



Acid-free formula gently cleans and shines polished aluminum wheels.



Acid-free formula

Ideal for aluminum wheels

Excellent for polished aluminum accessories

Good for truck and SUV running boards



Aluminum Wash is the gentlest wheel cleaner we make. The acid-free formula was made to clean and shine polished aluminum and anodized wheels. Spray Aluminum Wash on your tires, hose off and you'll be ready for whatever lies around the next bend.



Aluminum_Wash&Cleaner.jpg
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New and improved formula with clinging suds for better cleaning.



Spray on, hose off

Safely removes brake dust from both wheels and tires

Acid free

Wheel manufacturer recommended



Clean your wheels and tires in one simple step. Eagle One All Wheel & Tire Cleaner has a new improved formula with clinging suds for a longer lasting, deeper clean. Just spray on and watch the thick suds remove dirt and grime, and hose off; it’s that easy. In just one simple step, your wheels and tires will be free of brake dust, dirt and grime.



Nothing complements a beautiful detailing job better than sparkling wheels and clean tires. Try All Wheel & Tire Cleaner and let the good times roll!



All Wheel & Tire Cleaner is safe for all types of metal hubcaps and steel or aluminum alloy wheels. Safe finishes include: anodized, clear coated, factory painted and chrome.





WARNING: DO NOT USE ON NON-FACTORY PAINTED WHEELS, MOTORCYCLE WHEELS, AND SOME ANODIZED WHEELS.
 
Get down there and scrub those wheels.



Then put a quality sealant on the wheels and wash them at every wash normally without the heavy cleaner. You won't dread cleaning wheels as much.
 
paul34 said:
Get down there and scrub those wheels.



Then put a quality sealant on the wheels and wash them at every wash normally without the heavy cleaner. You won't dread cleaning wheels as much.
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I would put a sealant on them, but then I wouldn't be able to spray them with a strong wheel cleaner with out damaging the sealant. So its a catch 22
 
Actually it's not a catch 22. It's very simple. If you have a good sealant, you won't need to spray them with strong wheel cleaner.
 
paul34 said:
^^ yup! exactly the point of using the sealant in the first place :)
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But I'll still have to scrub. The truth is, my rims being left dirty after a wash doesn't really bother me. If I cleaned them they'd look the same in a day or two anyways. I do it monthly as maintenance to make sure it doesn't get too bad, but for a weekly wash eh whats the point.
 
With a sealant, when I spray ONR (mixed in a qd ratio), brake dust gets encapsulated in little globs of the solution and I can use a sheepskin spoke "brush" to remove them. If I had access to a hose, they probably would rinse right off just with water.
 
Danforz said:
But I'll still have to scrub. The truth is, my rims being left dirty after a wash doesn't really bother me. If I cleaned them they'd look the same in a day or two anyways. I do it monthly as maintenance to make sure it doesn't get too bad, but for a weekly wash eh whats the point.
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5 mins on top of your regular wash will bring them back to new if they're sealed.



I just use the remnants of my carwash solution at the end, with a normal wash brush (dedicated to my wheels). It only adds 5 mins to the whole process and makes a HUGE difference to the cars appearance. :cooleek:
 
Alfisti said:
5 mins on top of your regular wash will bring them back to new if they're sealed.



I just use the remnants of my carwash solution at the end, with a normal wash brush (dedicated to my wheels). It only adds 5 mins to the whole process and makes a HUGE difference to the cars appearance. :cooleek:
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OK, you and Zingy's post have got me curious. I'll make a new post regarding the sealant...
 
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