Wheel cleaners

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fisherbln

New member
Hey guys, I've been lurking for a while and I've come across a question I wasn't able to find with searching.



In the past I've used Wolfgang Tire & Wheel Cleaner, and I've been very impressed with it's ability to clean the tire itself (with a little scrubbing with a brush). It really preps the tire for a nice finish. Is there another brand of cleaner that is good for the tires like this too? I would stick with the Woflgang, but it is so darned expensive I'd like to find an alternative.
 
How about this:



You seal the wheels and use car soap to clean them instead. When you need to clean the tires, just scrub them with a tire brush and car wash soap solution or an APC/water spray? That's what I do. I never need a wheel cleaner, and car wash soap is almost always adequate for cleaning the tires (except right after winter).
 
White95Max said:
How about this:



You seal the wheels and use car soap to clean them instead. When you need to clean the tires, just scrub them with a tire brush and car wash soap solution or an APC/water spray? That's what I do. I never need a wheel cleaner, and car wash soap is almost always adequate for cleaning the tires (except right after winter).
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My trip home from work drives me through a patch of road that has the worst possible mud on it. If there has been any rain in moisture, it STICKS to my car and tires. It lierally stains the tires and regular soap I've found doesn't take it off. Not possible to avoid this section of road either :(

The wheels themselves have no problems, they are sealed and have little to no issues.
 
I've found that Detailer's Pride Tire & Wheel Gel does an excellent job cleaning tires. DP products, Wolfgang products, and Pinnacle products are all distributed by PBMA. So, I wouldn't be surprised if the DP T&W Gel had a similar formula to the Wolfgang cleaner you're using.
 
Then it sounds like all you need is APC for the tires, since the wheels aren't a problem.



A gallon of APC diluted 10:1 will last you a LONG time.
 
White95Max said:
Then it sounds like all you need is APC for the tires, since the wheels aren't a problem.



A gallon of APC diluted 10:1 will last you a LONG time.
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Really cool! Is this something 303 Aerospace cleaner would be able to handle?
 
Possibly. If you have some, give it a shot. I know they list lots of uses and dilution ratios on the back of the bottle...I don't know if they have one for tires or not. I'd just mix it up 3:1 and see how it goes.
 
One of the problems with tire cleaners is the harse alkaline or petroleum-based cleaners that may adversely affect the rubber compounds in tires. I know this a point of controversy with some professional detailers that's been addressed before within this forum. I still like OTC Wesley's Bleach-White to clean really dirty (IE brown-colored) tires, but I known some will use EO A-to-Z.

Any thoughts on this?
 
i've used e1 all wheel cleaner & tire cleaner (formerly a2z) for years with no problems (love this product!). i will probably be switching soon to something more cost effective as doing multiple cars get expensive. :(
 
Lonnie said:
One of the problems with tire cleaners is the harse alkaline or petroleum-based cleaners that may adversely affect the rubber compounds in tires. I know this a point of controversy with some professional detailers that's been addressed before within this forum. I still like OTC Wesley's Bleach-White to clean really dirty (IE brown-colored) tires, but I known some will use EO A-to-Z.

Any thoughts on this?
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Hello fellow Wisconsinite! :wavey



I've heard that the Westley's stuff can harm tires too.



I feel the same way about it as I feel about most dedicated tire cleaners. APC is a better alternative, since it's so economical and versatile.

The Meg's APC that I use cleans tires very well when used with a tire brush.

http://www.autogeek.net/mg10101.html

Diluted 10:1, you've got 10 gallons of versatile cleaner for $15. $1.50/gal ain't bad! And you can use it for so many different purposes.



I'm going to get a gallon of the PB's APC next though, because it's biodegradable and non-toxic, containing no ammonia or bleach. The Meg's APC says to use it in well-ventilated areas and avoid breathing vapors. :down

http://www.autogeek.net/pbapc32.html
 
My usual tire-wash stuff is diluted Griot's wheel cleaner, with occasional uses of Griot's Rubber Cleaner. I've been doing the wheel-cleaner thing for a long time (started with P21S) and the original tires on the '85 Jag were still fine when I got "regular use/street driving" wheels/tires about two years ago (and retired the originals for preservation). Never had a tire go bad from cleaning with diluted wheel cleaner or rubber cleaner :nixweiss
 
If you're willing to consider a stand alone tire cleaner then I think you should give Meguiar's Safe D-Greaser a shot. It's SUPER cheap because they sell it in concentrated gallons. So, once you dilute it you get WAY more than a gallon worth. Also, Megs claims that it's gentle enough on rubber and plastic that it won't turn it grey.



I've used the Safe D-Greaser on my tires a few times now. My tires never get that dirty so I can't comment on cleaning power. However, I can say that the tires look so good afterward that sometimes I don't bother to put tire dressing on. In the past when I've used Bleche White, I've noticed the tires looking a little dull or even grey after using the BW. Definitely not the case with the Megs.
 
I second the recommendations for Eagle One and Detailer's Pride gel. Both have been the most effective wheel cleaners and do a wonderful job on tires.
 
Maxy-Pads with wings said:
I'm going to get a gallon of the PB's APC next though, because it's biodegradable and non-toxic, containing no ammonia or bleach. The Meg's APC says to use it in well-ventilated areas and avoid breathing vapors.
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You may want to reconsider then... I use the PB's APC and it burns up my nose everytime I get a decent wiff of it.
 
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