P21S Wheel cleaner vs Griot's : a simple comparison

[duke4ever]

I've been looking for a cheaper alternative to P21S wheel cleaner so I decided to give griot's a try. I took some before and after pictures of 2 wheels. One done with P21S and with Griot's. I took pictures to compare of the 2 front wheels as I figured they were pretty equally soiled.



Here are the 2 wheels before:

So here after spraying some Griot's on the "griot's wheel":

Here's the action on the P21s wheel:

For both wheels, I did a simple spray on spray on test with NO agitation to see how strong they are relative to one another. However the P21S direction say you don't need to wait to spray off, while the Griot's wants you to wait a minute. So here are the 2 wheels immediately after spray off:



Griot's wheel:

P21S wheel:

More in a sec...

 

[Lachy33]

Thanks for this simple, but useful comparison.. I personally like the P21S the best

 

[duke4ever]

Finally here are both wheels after a second application of their respective wheel cleaner and agitated to actually clean the wheel:





Griot's wheel:

Another shot:

P21S wheel:

Another shot:

Some notes:



The Griot's wheel cleaner did require more agitation in general than the P21S wheel. I can't for certain conclude this but I feel like you'd need to use more of the Griot's stuff to accomplish the same thing as the P21S cleaner. From a cost standpoint this is ok because the Griot's cleaner is a lot cheaper $30 a gallon vs about $90-100 for the P21S.



They both behave similarly in the sense that they are both about just as easy to spray off (compared with Eagle One which is difficult to spray off IMO).



Also they both will get your wheel cleaned up.



Hope this helps someone out there!

 

[steelwind101]

Nice comparison! I think you might get a better idea of theresults on wheels that are really dirty. I think many on here would get the similar results just using an ONR or car soap solution.

 

[duke4ever]

I know, I could have waited for the wheels to get dirtier but I was just itching to try to new griot's stuff I got I would have wrote up about the undercarriage spray but my power washer blew a gasket... So that one has to wait.



I've never tried ONR, but I'm willing to say the results are a little stronger than just car wash alone.



I am sort of hesitant to try Adam's wheel cleaner as it seems like it wouldn't be any stronger than the Griot's stuff even. So continues my quest to look for a wheel cleaner with a good cost/benefit ratio

 

[SpoiledMan]

I'd never use a wheel cleaner on a wheel with that little dirt on it. Car wash soap or ONR will clean those with no problem and just as good as a dedicated cleaner. The test would be best for wheels that are beyond the scope of either of those.

 

[loudog2]

What about the inside of the wheel?:think:

 

[Accumulator]

duke4ever- Thanks for comparing them! I've used gallons of both but never did notice any real diff between them...EDIT: I take that back...I once talked with a Griot's rep about how P21s was harsher on my tire dressing (I used to use wheel cleaners for the tires too).



Yeah, I always needed to agitate with a BHB/etc. too.



With a longer dwell-time you might not need to use more of the Griot's :think:



FWIW, I did OK diluting both with water. Yeah, it made 'em weaker but with a bit of agitation I never noticed much difference in cleaning as long as the wheels weren't really nasty.

 

[Goose]

duke4ever- Thanks for comparing them! I've used gallons of both but never did notice any real diff between them...EDIT: I take that back...I once talked with a Griot's rep about how P21s was harsher on my tire dressing (I used to use wheel cleaners for the tires too).



Yeah, I always needed to agitate with a BHB/etc. too.



With a longer dwell-time you might not need to use more of the Griot's :think:



FWIW, I did OK diluting both with water. Yeah, it made 'em weaker but with a bit of agitation I never noticed much difference in cleaning as long as the wheels weren't really nasty.

I just used P21s wheel cleaner today and to be honest, I wasn't all that impressed with it.



I can understand that it maybe safe for all kinds of wheels but I found that it would only take of the 'easy' dirt and left all the hard, baked on grim/tar/etc. there.



I spent 2 hrs. today doing the rims on the STi. Granted the owner likes to drive and not clean. I believe it hasn't seen a complete or even a half *** detail in years.



The only thing that got most of the crud off was untold patience and finger nails with this stuff!



Is there Anything out there that is safe on all kinds of wheels but is actually STRONG? :wall



thanks



* I'm not saying that it's not a good product. It is. For wheels that are cleaned every couple days or fresh off the factory floor.*

 

[duke4ever]

I just used P21s wheel cleaner today and to be honest, I wasn't all that impressed with it.



I can understand that it maybe safe for all kinds of wheels but I found that it would only take of the 'easy' dirt and left all the hard, baked on grim/tar/etc. there.



I spent 2 hrs. today doing the rims on the STi. Granted the owner likes to drive and not clean. I believe it hasn't seen a complete or even a half *** detail in years.



The only thing that got most of the crud off was untold patience and finger nails with this stuff!



Is there Anything out there that is safe on all kinds of wheels but is actually STRONG? :wall



thanks



* I'm not saying that it's not a good product. It is. For wheels that are cleaned every couple days or fresh off the factory floor.*

I know exactly what you mean, for us here typically something like Griot's although not so incredibly strong, is safe and works because we're also assuming we don't dirty our wheels to hell. In my experience Eagle One wheel cleaner is stronger than the P21S. Only thing is, I find that if you're going to use the Eagle one stuff, prepare to spray down your tires with a lot of water. It tends to stain the tires a orange/brown color if you don't wash it off really well.



If you DO stain your tires, you can use more Eagle One or P21S to sort of re clean the tire and make sure you wash it off very well again.



I haven't tried anything stronger than Eagle one, so if someone else knows of anything else, please reply

 

[PerroneFord]

Goose... I love it! Too funny. The P21 and similar cleaners seem to be made for vehicles that are detailed regularly. There is no way any of these so called "safe" cleaners will attack the tough dirt. Honestly, darn few wheels actually *need* anything that gentle anyway.



I am really tempted to try Surf City's wheel cleaner. I know they say it's safe for all wheels, and maybe it is. But if it's anything like their other products, I'd be willing to try it sight unseen. None of their products have ever let me down.

 

[duke4ever]

Goose... I love it! Too funny. The P21 and similar cleaners seem to be made for vehicles that are detailed regularly. There is no way any of these so called "safe" cleaners will attack the tough dirt. Honestly, darn few wheels actually *need* anything that gentle anyway.



I am really tempted to try Surf City's wheel cleaner. I know they say it's safe for all wheels, and maybe it is. But if it's anything like their other products, I'd be willing to try it sight unseen. None of their products have ever let me down.

You said it properly , "detailed regularly"



Truth be told, most wheels are NOT properly cleaned during their lifetimes. The most wheels usually see is whatever the car wash does for them or whatever your car wash soap can do. Most people will just see that they look better than they did previously and assume that means they're clean.

 

[TLMitchell]

I've been looking for a cheaper alternative to P21S wheel cleaner

I've been substituting many of the S100 equivalents found in Harley shops for P21S products that I've been using. There are subtle differences, however, at almost 1/2 the price of their P21S counterparts the S100 stuff works as well and is considerably more cost-effective. Your mileage may vary.



TL

 

[Goose]

Goose... I love it! Too funny. The P21 and similar cleaners seem to be made for vehicles that are detailed regularly. There is no way any of these so called "safe" cleaners will attack the tough dirt. Honestly, darn few wheels actually *need* anything that gentle anyway.



I am really tempted to try Surf City's wheel cleaner. I know they say it's safe for all wheels, and maybe it is. But if it's anything like their other products, I'd be willing to try it sight unseen. None of their products have ever let me down.

Thanks guys for the replies. I do have the eagle one cleaner but was hesitant to use it on these BBS rims. I had time today anyway. :wall



So, hopefully more people will chime in. I'd like something that is more effective for the $17 spent.

Anyone else try the Surf City stuff....?



Is this it? Surf City Garage Beyond Steel Wheel Cleaner. Autogeek. 24oz. $12.99

Surf City Garage Beyond Steel Wheel Cleaner

 

[Hovy]

I know exactly what you mean, for us here typically something like Griot's although not so incredibly strong, is safe and works because we're also assuming we don't dirty our wheels to hell. In my experience Eagle One wheel cleaner is stronger than the P21S. Only thing is, I find that if you're going to use the Eagle one stuff, prepare to spray down your tires with a lot of water. It tends to stain the tires a orange/brown color if you don't wash it off really well.



If you DO stain your tires, you can use more Eagle One or P21S to sort of re clean the tire and make sure you wash it off very well again.



I haven't tried anything stronger than Eagle one, so if someone else knows of anything else, please reply

Sorry but how can you compare Eagle One to P21S???



Eagle One must be the strongest cleaner you used because it must contain acidic ingredients. P21S is 100% acid free and won't damage any wheels.

 

[duke4ever]

Sorry but how can you compare Eagle One to P21S???



Eagle One must be the strongest cleaner you used because it must contain acidic ingredients. P21S is 100% acid free and won't damage any wheels.

I can compare them because they are both wheel cleaners . Seriously though, Eagle one is not acidic, it does give you a warning about not using it on non factory painted wheels. Clear coated wheels are fine though.



Though it's not acidic it might be very basic, I don't know, I don't have litmus paper hanging around to test.

 

[tom p.]

The P21S product offers marginally superior cleaning power. However, it's 3X more expensive compared to Griot's.



Either of these wheel cleaners are perfect for maintained wheels, and both leave a beatiful, bright appearance not found when washing with car soap or APC.



Neither of these products are "ideal" for wheels that haven't been cleaned for a year and a half.

 

[PerroneFord]

Is this it? Surf City Garage Beyond Steel Wheel Cleaner. Autogeek. 24oz. $12.99

Surf City Garage Beyond Steel Wheel Cleaner

Yes, that's it. I haven't tried it, but I think I will. Maybe next month.

 

[tom p.]

I've got the Surf City wheel cleaner and it works well. However, it's still expensive when you figure the price on a per gallon basis.



Surf City's tire dressing is also a nice product if you're looking to sample stuff

 

[PerroneFord]

I'm beginning to see a price gap in the stuff that actually does what it SAYS it does, and the stuff which only kinda works. Surf City's Grime Destroyer is expensive compared to some other stuff, but it does EXACTLY what it says it does, and I pay the price. I'd like a wheel cleaner that performs that way without totally destroying wheels. I've used the grime destroyer on wheels and have yet to be disappointed so I"ll have to compare the wheel cleaner cost and see which comes out ahead.



Right now, I am using a sample of the Wolfgang Tire Gel. It's also pricey, but works very well, and I need VERY little to do tires. One bottle should last me nearly forever.