Reddit mentions: The best automotive wheel care
We found 195 Reddit comments discussing the best automotive wheel care. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 53 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.
1. Sonax (230200-755) Wheel Cleaner Full Effect - 16.9 fl. oz.,Silver
- Safe On All Factory Installed Wheels: Acid-Free, Ph Balanced Formula Won'T Damage Wheels, Safe On Various Wheel Finishes Including: Chrome, Aluminum, Steel, Clear Coated, Pvd, Painted, Plastic Wheel Covers, And Magnesium
- Watch It Work: The Color Changing Formula Activates When It Comes In Contact With The Ferrous Metals (Iron) From Brake Dust Or Other Dirt And Grime. Full Effect Sprays On Fluorescent Yellow, Then Turns Deep Red Or Purple As It Dissolves Brake Dust
- Advanced And Effective Chemistry: Full Effect, Non Acid Wheel Cleaner Attaches And Emulsifies Stubborn Baked On Brake Dust. Simply Spray On, Let It Dwell, Watch For Color Change, Agitate If Necessary, And Rinse With Water. *For Best Results Rinse Using High Pressure Water
- Full Effect Is Great For Both The Diy (Do-It-Yourself) And The Professional. Effortlessly Achieve Shining Wheels That Will Make Your Vehicle Look Like It Just Rolled Off The Showroom Floor
Features:
Specs:
Color | Silver |
Height | 9 Inches |
Length | 3.5 Inches |
Size | 16.9 fl. oz. |
Weight | 1 Pounds |
Width | 2.25 Inches |
2. Chemical Guys TVD_107_16 V.R.P. Vinyl, Rubber and Plastic Non-Greasy Dry-to-the-Touch Long Lasting Super Shine Dressing for Tires, Trim and More (16 Oz)
- THE ULTIMATE PROTECTION - VRP is an easy-to-use protectant that restores a deep black look, enhances shine, and protects vinyl, rubber, and plastic surfaces against harmful weather conditions and extreme heat.
- IT'S ALL ABOUT RESULTS - Vinyl, rubber, and plastic trim are sensitive to fading and staining caused by harmful weather conditions; VRP helps restore a like-new appearance to exterior and interior surfaces; The premium water-based cream dressing nourishes and protects to restore a deep-black shine.
- NON GREASY WATER BASED FORMULA - Achieve a non greasy deep wet look on both interior and exterior vinyl, rubber, plastic and tires with this water based dressing. Quick and easy application with no sling and no mess.
- DRY-TO-THE-TOUCH FORMULA: Premium sprayable VRP Super Shine Dressing finishes dry-to-the-touch and will not attract dirt or dust. Easy to use premium spray keeps exterior rubber and plastic looking great in all weather conditions.
- THE #1 BRAND IN CAR CARE - Beginners and professionals alike choose Chemical Guys, not only for the finest car care products, but the world class customer support and vast detailing knowledge; Chemical Guys is more than a brand - it's a lifestyle with a worldwide following
Features:
Specs:
Color | White |
Height | 2.3622 Inches |
Length | 8.2677 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | October 2013 |
Size | 16 oz |
Weight | 1.10231131 Pounds |
Width | 2.3622 Inches |
3. ABN Car Wheel Rim Cleaning 3-Piece Kit – Original Wheel Woolies Brush Stick Tool Tire Woolie Wooly Wand Set (3 Brushes)
MAKE YOUR CAR SPOTLESS: Use the ABN Car Wheel Rim Cleaning 3-Piece Kit – Wheel Woolies Brush Stick Tool – Tire Woolie – Wooly Wand Set (3 Brushes) to accomplish the look of properly cleaned wheels inside and out; Remove road grime and brake dust without damaging your wheels or getting your han...
Specs:
Height | 3 Inches |
Length | 3.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 12 inches |
Weight | 0.18 Pounds |
Width | 18.5 Inches |
4. Meguiar's G-9524 Wheel Cleaner
- Remove road residue
- Unique foaming agents
- Clings to vertical surfaces
- Quick and easy to use
Features:
Specs:
Color | Pink |
Height | 11 Inches |
Length | 5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | January 2001 |
Size | 24 oz |
Weight | 0.0015598 Pounds |
Width | 2 Inches |
5. Sonax (230241) Wheel Cleaner Plus - 16.9 fl. oz.
- BOOSTED CLEANING STRENGTH: 30 percent stronger than SONAX Wheel Cleaner Full Effect, with faster action on thicker, caked on grime areas of wheels
- DESIGNED FOR EUROPEAN WHEELS: Extra strength formula for European cars with difficult to clean wheels due to the high heat and brake dust. Sonax Wheel Cleaner Plus is ideal for all vehicles including Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Volvo and many others
- SAFE ON ALL FACTORY INSTALLED WHEELS: Acid-free, ph balanced formula won't damage wheels, Safe on various wheel finishes including: Chrome, Aluminum, Steel, Clear Coated, PVD, Painted, Plastic Wheel Covers, and Magnesium
- WATCH IT WORK: The color changing formula activates once it comes into contact with the ferrous metals (iron) found in brake dust or other dirt and grime. Wheel Cleaner Plus sprays on clear, then watch as the product dissolves the brake dust turning deep red or purple
- Wheel Cleaner Plus needs to be used on cool and dry wheels. Product is ready to use, do not dilute with water. *Use caution when applying this product to anodized wheels and brake systems - test in an inconspicuous area prior to use
Features:
Specs:
Height | 0 Inches |
Length | 0 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | June 2014 |
Size | 16.9 fl. oz. |
Width | 0 Inches |
6. Wheel and Tire Cleaner - Safe for all Wheels and Rims - Works on Alloy Chrome Aluminum Clear-Coated Painted Polished and Plasti-Dipped Rim - Wheel Cleaner by CarGuys
- ✅ CAR GUYS Wheel Cleaner is a versatile brake dust cleaner that is safe on ALL types of wheel finishes, tires, and more! It's quick & easy to use, and like all our products, it’s backed with our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee!
- ✅ Safe on ALL Rims and Tires! – Our advanced pH Neutral formula, safely removes the toughest dirt and road grime on ANY wheel or tire. Works to clean your calipers, rotors, exhaust tips, old tire dressings, and is a great whitewall tire cleaner too! Safe on alloy, chrome, aluminum, and much more!
- ✅ Quick & Easy to Use! – Nobody likes wasting time and money. Our highly concentrated cleaning gel is ready to spray right out of the bottle, but can also be diluted with water to extend the longevity of the liquid. Clings to wheels so each spray has minimal runoff, for maximum cleaning power!
- ✅ Why choose CAR GUYS? – We Care About Quality! Our products are made with the latest advancements in science, using the best equipment available. This helps us make consistently high quality products that always work great! Every formula we make is mixed and bottled, in the USA, by hard working Americans!
- ✅ We Care About Customer Satisfaction! – We're Not Happy, If You're Not Happy! If you're not happy with our product, for ANY REASON at all, get in contact with CAR GUYS anytime after your purchase, and we’ll be happy to provide a full refund. So what are you waiting for?! -- Click 'Add to Cart' Now!
Features:
Specs:
Height | 1.8 Inches |
Length | 9.3 Inches |
Size | 18 Ounces |
Weight | 1.13 Pounds |
Width | 3.3 Inches |
7. Adam's Wheel Cleaner (16oz) - Tough On Brake Dust Wheel Car Detailing Formula | Car Cleaning Barrel & Rim Cleaner | Safe On Clear Coated Polished Plasti Dipped Wheels | Wheel Brush Car Wash Kit
- ✅ WHY CHOOSE ADAM’S WHEEL CLEANER? - Which part of your car takes the biggest beating? Your wheels! Due to constant heat, elements, & constant brake contaminants, your wheels are almost always dirty. Adam’s wheel cleaning chemical formula was specifically formulated to target & eliminate heavy brake dust and leave your wheels spotless!
- ✅ ADVANCED CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY - Our Wheel Cleaner was made to compliment your arsenal of car cleaning supplies. Every basic auto detailing kit needs an effective wheel cleaner, car wash soap, tire shine, & some sort of paint protection. This state of the art wheel cleaner is a simple spray & agitate formula. This chemical is certain to be the best wheel cleaner and brake dust remover that you have ever used.
- ✅ CAR CLEANING MADE EASY - Most wheel cleaners can be harmful to your wheel finish and dissolve more than what you wanted to clean off! Adam’s Polishes Wheel Cleaner gets to work fast and dissolves stubborn metallic contamination. Simply spray our Wheel Cleaner & watch as the brake dust bleeds bright purple & falls off! This acid-free and pH neutral formula penetrates dirt and grime at the source and makes your wheel cleaning time significantly shorter!
- ✅ IS IT SAFE FOR MY WHEEL FINISH? - Adam’s Wheel Cleaner is safe on almost all wheel finishes, which includes clear-coated, powder-coated, chrome, alloy, and painted wheels. However, it may not be safe on anodized raw aluminum, polished aluminum wheels, and aftermarket bare metallic wheels. If you are not sure reach out to us by sending us a message or simply try our Eco Wheel Cleaner or Wheel & Tire Cleaner!
- ✅ 110% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE & USA MADE - At Adam’s, we strive to bring the BEST car cleaning supplies, auto detailing kits, washing accessories, microfiber towels, waxes, sealants, ceramic coatings, mops, brushes, mitts, sponges, garage tools, applicators & other high-quality car cleaning products to the car care industry. If you are not satisfied, let us know & we’ll do everything we can to make it right!
Features:
Specs:
Height | 10 Inches |
Length | 3 Inches |
Release date | March 2016 |
Size | 16 oz |
Weight | 1.1 Pounds |
Width | 4 Inches |
8. Armor All car accessories
- Forms a protective barrier on wheels and rims
- Repels brake dust, road grime and dirt
- Keeps wheels clean longer
- Makes cleaning wheels easier next time
- Lasts up to 4 weeks
Features:
Specs:
Release date | March 2012 |
Size | 7 Ounce |
9. Chemical Guys Acc_B01 Gerbil Wheel and Rim Brush
- Great for cleaning tight, hard to reach places
- Holds over 8 ounces of soapy water or degreaser
- Keeps the surface well lubricated
- Soft, thick haired 100 percent sheepskin
- Perfect tool for different wheel finishes including alloy, chrome, anodized and polished
Features:
Specs:
Height | 1.33858 Inches |
Length | 9.8425 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | February 2013 |
Weight | 0.18077905484 Pounds |
Width | 2.55905 Inches |
10. DipYourCar Brake Dust Pro 32oz - Touchless Wheel Cleaner, Safe On All Wheels! Quickly Removes Brake Dust and Grime - Spray On and Rinse Off!
CLEAN YOUR DIPPED WHEELS THE EASY WAY. Just spray on and wash off. Brake Dust Pro is a touchless wheel cleaner that easily removes brake dust, dirt, and grime from your wheels. A delicate yet powerful formula is safe for even the most delicate surfaces including PlastiDipped wheels.CHANGES COLORS SO...
Specs:
Height | 3.5 Inches |
Length | 10 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Weight | 2 pounds |
Width | 3.5 Inches |
11. IRON FREE Paint, Wheel And Glass Decontamination Fall Out Remover [NA-IFE16]
- PH balanced, ready-to-use formula
- Safely breaks down ferrous metallic contamination
- Can be used on paint, plastic, chrome, glass, and alloy wheels
- Sprays on fluorescent green and turns reddish as it reacts with the iron particulates
Features:
Specs:
Height | 8.25 Inches |
Length | 2.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | October 2015 |
Size | 16 oz. |
Weight | 1.2 Pounds |
Width | 2.5 Inches |
12. Meguiar’s G12024 Hot Shine Tire Spray, 24 oz
High gloss spray tire dressing gives your tires a deep wet look with a brilliant shineUnique blend of water-resistant and premium silicone polymers for a long lasting shineSelf-spreading formula prevents streaks for a uniform finishEasy to use tire shine that also delivers a premium wet-look appeara...
Specs:
Color | WHITE,BLACK |
Height | 11 Inches |
Length | 5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | January 2004 |
Size | 24 oz. |
Weight | 1.34922904344 Pounds |
Width | 2 Inches |
13. Meguiar's D14001 Wheel Brightener, 1 Gallon
- VERSATILE: Our body shop safe wheel cleaner is safe and effective on clear-coated, factory-painted and chrome wheels. Not safe for polished aluminum, anodized or aftermarket wheels
- NO MORE BRAKE DUST: Quickly and easily removes tough and stubborn brake dust
- REMOVES GRIME: Effective at removing tar, dirt and grime with little or no scrubbing
- EASY TO USE: Simply spray on, hose off with water and wipe
- COST-EFFECTIVE: Concentrate can be diluted up to 4: 1, making the product last longer and giving you more for your money
Features:
Specs:
Color | Purple |
Height | 7 Inches |
Length | 4.4 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | March 2013 |
Size | 1 Gallon |
Weight | 8.9 Pounds |
Width | 11.45 Inches |
14. Adam's Large Wheel Woolie Car Detailing Brush - Car Cleaning Wheel Brush | Use W/ Wheel Cleaner, Rim Cleaner, Chrome Cleaner | Car Wash Brush Cleans Brake Dust From Barrels & Hard To Reach Areas
- ✅ TAKE YOUR CAR DETAILING TO THE NEXT LEVEL - When cleaning your wheels & tires, there is always dirt left behind in the barrels or inner centers of your wheels-- Not Anymore! Adam’s Wheel Woolie is the ultimate detailing brush for cleaning your behind your wheel spokes! Clean the carbon build up off your exhaust tips with the new fiber blend and 45-degree angle! We offer two sizes - Small (13”) & Large (19”).
- ✅ CHEMICAL RESISTANT CLEANING TOOL - Made from 100% Polypropylene fibers, this brush is incredibly soft yet dense. It effectively cleans & lasts longer with soft durable chemical resistant bristles. To achieve pristine results, Adam’s Wheel Woolies should be matched with a quality wheel scrubbing brush & a quality cleaner like our Wheel Cleaner or Wheel & Tire Cleaner. Pro-Tip: Finish up with Tire Shine for extra pop!
- ✅ USE DURING CAR WASH ROUTINE - Cleaning your wheels & tires are important steps in achieving a clean vehicle. Before you rinse your vehicle with pressure or foam your vehicle with a foam cannon filed with your favorite car wash soap, you should begin with the shoes of your car - your wheels! Combined with a non-slip rubberized handle, this wheel cleaning tool allows you to clean the entire wheel surface without damaging your hands or knuckles!
- ✅ A PREMIUM DETAIL BRUSH TO ADD TO YOUR CAR CLEANING Kit - The new fibers allow you to use more intense chemicals on wheels without the worry of damaging your brush! The fibers are excellent at holding in suds to make washing your wheels a breeze. The larger size bristles make this wheel brush even safer and more effective on larger, more open wheels.
- ✅ 110% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE & USA MADE - At Adam’s, we strive to bring the BEST car cleaning kits, washing accessories, microfiber towels, waxes, sealants, ceramic coatings, mops, brushes, mitts, sponges, garage tools, applicators & other high-quality products to the car care industry. If you are not satisfied, let us know & we’ll do everything we can to make it right!
Features:
15. Chemical Guys CLD_107 Premium Blue Wheel and Rim Cleaner and Degreaser (1 Gal)
Highly effective wheel and rim cleaner that safely removes brake dust, oxidation, oil, dirt and greaseDissolves grime and brake dust without damaging your chrome and alloy wheels and rimsThis product is spray-on, rinse off, no-harsh scent and no scrubbing necessaryDilutes 1 part product in 7 parts w...
Specs:
Height | 4.21259 Inches |
Length | 16.10233 Inches |
Size | 1 Gallon (128 Ounces) |
Weight | 9.19989019326 Pounds |
Width | 7.51967 Inches |
16. Griot's Garage 11106 Wheel Cleaner 35 oz
- pH balanced
- Safe for all wheel finishes
- Removes brake dust, tar, dirt, and road grime
- Leaves wheels clean and shiny
Features:
Specs:
Height | 4 Inches |
Length | 11.6 Inches |
Release date | March 2014 |
Size | 35 Ounces |
Weight | 2.4 Pounds |
Width | 5.1 Inches |
17. Armor All Car Brake Dust Repellent, Cleaner for Tires, Wheels, and Rims, Outlast, 11 Fl Oz, 18191B
- Forms a protective barrier on wheels and rims
- Keeps wheels clean longer
- The invisible barrier lasts up to four weeks
Features:
Specs:
Color | Multicolor |
Height | 9.448818888 Inches |
Length | 2.755905509 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | April 2022 |
Size | 11 OZ |
Weight | 0.68563763482 Pounds |
Width | 2.755905509 Inches |
18. Griot's Garage 10973 Heavy-Duty Wheel Cleaner 22oz
Safe for all wheel finishesPH-balanced, non-acidic and non-causticViscous liquid stays on wheel to break up and loosen brake dust and road grimeProduct changes color as it interacts with brake dustRefill your bottle with money-saving gallon refill
Specs:
Color | White |
Height | 9.5 Inches |
Length | 3.25 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | March 2014 |
Size | 22 Ounce |
Weight | 1.62 Pounds |
Width | 3.25 Inches |
19. Halo Automotive Premium Wheel Wand Brush Kit (3-Pack) - Scratch Free Lambs Wool. Multipurpose Use for Wheels, Rims, Motorcycles, Bicycles, Boats, RVs
SPOTLESS WHEELS & TRIM: The ONLY Wheel Wand 3-Piece Kit –with the angled wool wand brush! Remove break dust and dirt off your entire wheel including Lug Nuts, Wheel Spokes, & Wheel Barrels without damaging the surface. The super soft material is perfectly designed to clean all wheel types and vehi...
Specs:
Height | 3 Inches |
Length | 18 Inches |
Width | 5 Inches |
20. Meguiar's G14324 Hot Rims Aluminum Wheel Cleaner, 24. Fluid_Ounces
- ALUMINUM WHEEL CLEANER: Meguiar’s safest, least-aggressive cleaner is designed specifically for uncoated aluminum and other sensitive materials
- EFFECTIVE FOAMING ACTION: Our Extreme Cling foam grabs the wheel’s surface to effectively and gently dissolve dirt, brake-dust buildup and road grime
- VERSATILE USE: Safely and effectively cleans uncoated polished aluminum, as well as alloy, anodized and powder-coated wheels
- ULTRA-SAFE: Gentle cleaning agents won’t harm wheels or brake components
- IDEAL FOR AFTERMARKET: The ideal choice for aftermarket wheels that often have sensitive and delicate surfaces
- Included Components: Appearance Chemicals;Tire,Wheel,& Trim;Automotive-Tire-Cleaners-And-Polishes
Features:
Specs:
Color | Clear Blue |
Height | 2.1 Inches |
Length | 11.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | March 2013 |
Size | 24 oz. |
Weight | 0.5 Pounds |
Width | 4.9 Inches |
🎓 Reddit experts on automotive wheel care
The comments and opinions expressed on this page are written exclusively by redditors. To provide you with the most relevant data, we sourced opinions from the most knowledgeable Reddit users based the total number of upvotes and downvotes received across comments on subreddits where automotive wheel care are discussed. For your reference and for the sake of transparency, here are the specialists whose opinions mattered the most in our ranking.
I've always struggled to keep my vehicles clean because 1) they were always old, 2) I've lived in condos, 3) car washes did a terrible job / detailers charged too much, and 4) I didn't realize you could do all of this yourself pretty effectively.
When I bought a new truck at the beginnging of the year, I randomly stumbled upon an Ammo NYC video and the nerd / clean-freak was intrigued. A couple dozen videos later, and I was hooked. Shout out to Larry for your passion - thank you for the insane amount of information on your channel. (Wish I could afford all of your products, or that you had some of them on Amazon!).
Living in a condo, I have to swing by my local coin wash and take up a bay with a few buckets during off-peak hours, but I've gotten it down to 1.5 hours and looking like this every time.
I've only been doing this for a few months, but thought I'd share the products I've researched and selected based on reviews and costs. Hope this helps save someone time!
TOOLS
BUCKETS
CHEMICALS
INTERIOR
WHEELS
TOWELS
Heres how I detail both of my DR650s. As some of you might know I'm 100% rinseless. I don't think theres a good way to clean a chain with out water so I have always done a 2BM wash on my motorcycles. Now for motorcycle customers I don't clean their chain that is on them. That is a primary maintenance item that I will not do. The risk is far greater then the reward. Hope you enjoy the video! Edit: Side note took me about an hour for one of the bikes so about 2 hours for both.
List of everything I used:
Think thats everything. Enjoy!!
Hope this helps! This isn't an exhaustive list of the best professional products but some of the best top rated affordable and highly rated by forums and high subscriber YouTubers. I'll try to answer questions as they come. Thanks for all tye comments and positive/critical feedback. Promise is all helps in the end!
Wash/Decontamination
Wheels/Tires
Compounding/Polishing
Finshing Wax/Protectant/Plastic & Trim Restorer
Interior/Glass Cleaners
Convertible Fabric Top Cleaner/Protectant/Sealer
Microfiber Cloths/Car Drying Microfiber Cloths/Buffing Microfibers/Brushes/Etc.
I'm reposting some suggestions I made from a previous similar thread, hope it works out for you (the last person's budget was $100; not sure what yours is, but you can pick and choose!)
 
Optimum No Rinse: Concentrated and capable of being diluted as a wash, quick detailer, clay lubricant, window cleaner, light interior cleaner, and more.
Optimum Opti-Seal: Incredibly easy to use sealant (wipe on and walk away!), can be used in place of RainX on windows, good drying aid, and useful as an interior dressing as well. Opti-seal ALL the things!
Detailing brushes: Because every detailer can use more brushes!
Nanoskin Autoscrub Sponge: Makes the process of decontaminating your paint much faster. Much longer life than clay and can be used even after dropped on the ground! Use the ONR as lubricant and you save tons of money.
The Rag Company Eagle Edgeless Towels, 4 pack: These will be the best towels he's ever used.
The total for all of this should be $97.96, just under your budget :)
 
A couple other suggestions if you want to mix and match:
Smaller Opti-Seal: Since it's the biggest budget item here and a little goes a long way, you can go with the small one to include more items in your bundle.
Adam's Wheel Cleaner: The least terrible smelling wheel cleaner, but extremely effective as well. Good if that truck throws a lot of brake dust.
CarPro PERL: For protecting exterior plastics as well as dressing them, and for use as a satin look tire dresing.
Wheel Woolies: Makes cleaning wheels a much nicer experience, and won't fling brake dust into your face like the brushes do.
Hope this helps! If you want any more specific recommendations for any category, feel free to ask! As for things to avoid, Armorall, Turtlewax and Chemical Guys in my opinion.
I would reccomend these materials for the two bucket wash method. Its probably the most common method, and one of the safest. There are plenty of youtube how to's on this. These are the materials you'll need.
Not Necessarily essentials, but recommended.
I don't think you need anything like a DA at this point. Others will have recommendations for you, and I encourage you to take their advice as well. Some great youtube channels are Ammo NYC, Larry is a master at explaining how to's. He has is own line of products but they're expensive. You can even email him with questions and he'll respond quickly and go above and beyond to explain somethingto you. Junkman, also another great channel. Chemical Guys, they have some pretty good products but their customer service is shit. Their youtube videos are pretty good but all they do is upsell their products.
I'm fairly new to detailing like you. I dont have the best products, but what I use seems to work for me. There are better products out there but budgets can only be so large.
Any isopropyl alcohol will be just fine. Anything from 70-90% is just fine. I just use a cheap bottle from Target 90% diluted and it works just as good as anything else. Some people on here will tell you to use Carpro eraser, and if I were to do a ceramic coating application I probably would, but for a sealant or wax it is not worth the added cost.
Any sort of iron remover will work just fine. Never used Iron X, I've used the Nanoskin product for less cost, just as good. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016K0902C/ My wife's car is white, and it will help remove those little orange flecks embedded in the paint that claying will not always remove.
You don't necessarily have to put wax on top of sealant, sealant by itself is just fine, unless you are looking to make your paint have a little more "pop" to it. On a white car it probably makes no difference, I just choose a synthetic sealant for longevity over a carnauba wax.
For an area with fresh touch-up paint, I'd wait 30 days before applying something on top. Give's it a chance to properly cure, a lot of automotive paints will fully harden in a few hours, but to be fully "cured" wait 30 days. Just do the whole car with sealant and skip that section just to be safe.
And to your follow-up question, yes APC means all purpose cleaner (another popular acronym you will here is IPA that is Isopropyl Alcohol, or ONR is Optimum No Rinse).
For APC, it depends on what I am cleaning. For the interior if it is in well-kept condition and just needs a wipe down, I turn to ONR diluted 64:1 in a spray bottle (again, I use this on interior plastics, vinyl, clay bar lube, drying aid, you name it. You should buy some because it's so versatile).
For really bad interiors you can use APC diluted to a weak concentration depending on what product you go with. I have several kinds that I use for varying levels of aggressiveness that I am going after.
Interior plastics, sensitive areas, etc I like Simple Green 10:1. (10 parts water, 1 part solution). Some people don't like the smell of Simple Green, so I recently switched to LA's Totally Awesome APC from Dollar Store at $1 per quart it's cheap and effective, I dilute this 10:1 or 5:1 for interior. Spray directly on the microfiber, not on the surface, this prevents over-spray onto areas you don't want it like instrument clusters or windows.
For exterior APC use like wheels, rims, wheel wells, engine bays, I step it up to SuperClean. Costs about $8 a gallon at Walmart. I can dilute this 4:1 and still get great results on cleaning rims and tires. It's strong stuff, but works great!
As for interior dash protection, I have a bottle of 303 Aerospace Protectant. A little goes a long way. It doesn't leave anything greasy or shiny, just a nice even matte finish on black plastics, just enough to clean it up and make it even looking.
Sorry for the wall of text again :)
I got this [Nanoskin Non Acid Wheel and Tire Cleaner] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X123G64/ref=twister_B01GHMZCV6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1) a few days ago and wanted to try it out. I didn't plan on doing this review but once I used it on one tire I was amazed at how well it worked I decided to do a quick review since I haven't seen anything about this before on here. I got a 16 oz bottle off of Amazon to try out I will be getting a gallon in the near future. I would compare this to [Meguiars Hot Rims Wheel Cleaner] (https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G14324-Aluminum-Wheel-Cleaner/dp/B0015IUZ92/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467325071&sr=8-1&keywords=meguiars+aluminum+wheel+cleaner) . The Nanoskin Non Acid didn't have much of an odor except a small cleaning odor. I LOVE the smell of the Chemical Guys Diablo Wheel Gel. It smells like bubble gum and is very pleasant to work with, but doesn't do nearly as good as this in cleaning terms.
I also recently ordered the [Nanoskin Grease Free Power Cleaner and Degreaser] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JM62970/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) to try out. I have been pretty impressed by all of the things I've used by them so far. It all started out with the Nanoskin sponge.
In this review I used a [Tolco Foaming sprayer] (http://www.tolcocorporation.com/portfolio-view/model-322-foamer-trigger-sprayer/) and it worked very very good. I plan on doing a side by side with CG Diablo Wheel Gel at some point, but the Nanoskin Non Acid blew it out of the water IMO.
Welcome! Same generation, but different setup. Let me help you out by linking a few things that can make that A6 look significantly better.
*Here's replacement front fog light grills.
*Here's a replacement front lip grill.
*Here is the headlight kit that I (as a weekend auto detailer) would recommend to clean up those yellow headlights.
*Here is the real-deal wheel cleaner that I would suggest getting to battle that brake dust buildup. Yes, it's steep, but this will make those wheels spotless. And this goes for all german-car users!
I love my C5 to death, and I hope only the best for yours!
Buy three buckets, one for wheels, the others for a two bucket system.
Buy something to clean the wheels as well. I have the wheel woolies but I'm going to ask for the woolly wormit for my birthday from my wife.
Get a Waterless Wash and/or Quick Detailer for the times when you don't need a wash but you want to clean stuff up.
Take a look into this new Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax for a sealant. I have used the Fast Finish and it's great so this should be even better.
I also use Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax (D156 is the same but in a gallon jug) as a drying aid and it makes the car POP!
As a final suggestion, buy some 303 for the interior. You're going to love it. Not greasy, smells okay (not fruity), and leaves things looking great.
I apologize in advance for this long post. None of these are "must gets", but they are what I got for my 2016 Premium forester. I'm posting this for my own future reference as well as to help some people who are wondering what accessories might be good for their new forester. I highly recommend ordering from Jackie from Annapolis Subaru @ 443-837-1422 as she can get you some good prices on the subaru accessories as well as WeatherTech products! I saved on WeatherTech shipping costs (~$20) by ordering through Jackie and the warranty is the same as if I had bought them through their website.
Please note that some of these accessory links are for my specific car year, model and configuration. I have a 2016 Premium forester without eyesight (affects the Covercraft/heatshield sunshade - they also have eyesight compatible sunshades!).
Also, I personally didn't get my windows tinted, but I think that is something that you should seriously consider doing :)
Speaker kit
Tweeter kit
WeatherTech DigitalFit floorliner (1st & 2nd row)
WeatherTech cargo/trunk liner (without bumper protector)
Weather Tech TechCare floorliner and floormat Cleaner/Protector Kit
Gorilla mud flaps
Covercraft's UVS100 sunscreen - use promo code FREESHIP
Exterior Auto Dimming Mirror w/ Approach Lighting
Luggage Compartment Cover (manual rear gate)
Rear bumper cover
Auto-Dimming Mirror with Compass and HomeLink
Rear Seat Back Protector
Two Home Depot 5 gallon homer bucket
Heatshield sunshade (driver/passenger, second row, rear windshield, sunroof) - note that their website only shows only one side window (driver/passenger), you need to call in to ask them to add the second row side window ones - on my invoice it says part #1425S-A and #1425S-B
Antigravity Batteries AG-XP-10 Multi-Function Power Supply and Jump Starter (check eBay to see if priced cheaper)
Viair 77P Portable Compressor Kit (check eBay to see if priced cheaper)
Amazon stuff:
EZ Pass Holder for VA Flex
Aux cable
Stickershield (parking stickers, etc)
Dropstop seat gap filler (driver/passenger side)
Door panel removal kit (for speaker kit install)
Two grit guards
Microfiber Drying towel
Microfiber cloths (3 pack)
Car wash shampoo
Wheel brush
Resqme (window breaker/seatbelt cutter)
Wheel cleaner
Microfiber wash mitt
Reindeer costume for Christmas
Headrest coat hanger
Road reflective triangles
Duct tape
Odor eliminator
Tire air pressure gauge
OBDII Scanner (Bluetooth)
First aid kit
Mine get tons of carbon buildup as well (2013 R60). I have black tips so it's not obvious, but it's definitely there.
Cleaning tips: Get the following items:
Start by spraying the wheel cleaner in and around the tip. Let it sit for a minute then agitate with the wheel brush. Spray some water in there after agitation to rinse the crud out. Follow it up with a spray of Simple Green. Place the microfiber towel around the wheel brush and agitate again. This'll get the little bits that the stiff brush left behind. Rinse again.
Then attach the powercone to your drill. dunk the powercone into soapy water. Put it inside the tip and spin it. This gets the inside pretty darn clean.
You can clean the outside with the same products. It typically doesn't need it as bad and a simple wipedown with simple green and a microfiber is usually good enough. You can always shine it up with the chrome polish as well, if it needs it.
I wanted to try coating my daily driver before fall and winter set in, and to see how good it looks and performs on its own.
Steps taken:
>Wash car with pressure washer, using Griot's car wash. Using IPA as a drying aid, dried car. Clayed car using AutoCare 6" clay pad (knockoff nanoskin). Applied Nanoskin Iron Free to all surfaces except glass and let dwell and pressure washed off. Used TRC towels for everything.
>Touched up a couple of paint chips with Dr. Color Chip after these steps.
>Spot compound using Lake Country MF 3" cutting pad and Menzerna FG400. Polished using Lake Country MF 3" polishing pad and Menzerna SFP3800. Applied Optimum Paint Prep to strip old wax/sealant and polish.
>Using a Lake Country MF 5" cutting pad, applied CarPro Essence to entire car. Let set overnight for max curing and no need for a second wipedown.
>Applied Gtechniq CSQ, Opti-Bond diluted tire dressing, AngelWax Bilberry Wheel Wax.
Total Time: 8 hours
I didn't take a ton of pics of the finer scratches or swirls, but the paint was in pretty good shape overall before, very light marring from washes and clay. They were easily taken care of with Essence since it hides some of them and removes others. I also don't have after pics of water on the car due to cure time. It is supposed to rain in a few days and I want to give the car the max time I can for it to cure properly.
Links above are where I bought the products, except for GG car soap, which is OOS at DI.
Overall, a long process that should produce lasting results. I plan to top with Geyon Wetcoat since it is cheaper and easier to use than EXO (although they aren't the same thing at all).
I've used that same spray wax on my rims, better shine but less protection than the silica sealant, though obviously they both have their merits.
For a cheaper option (for cars you detail on a regular basis) Armor All brake dust repellent is also shockingly good. Makes it easier on your next cleaning and customers always seem to notice/appreciate that their rims look clean for longer. I'll even put it on certain aesthetic parts of the engine bay and it does a great job.
Audi allroad Quattro
This was by far the nicest vehicle I’ve worked on. My aunt was in town and asked me to clean up her car, but I only had about three hours to give it quick in and out so I had to do what I could. The interior had a nice layer of dust over everything, there was dog hair in most of the upholstery, the mats were covered in dirt and salt from the winter, and the leather seats all had a noticeable bit of dirt on them. The outside wasn’t too bad besides the wheels, which were nearly black from all the brake dust. There was also a bunch of tar around the wheels which I removed.
Products:
Interior
Carpro Inside
Leather scrub brush
All-purpose microfiber
Scrub brush
Rubber mats pressure washed and scrubbed with carpet brush and Britemax Interior Cleaner
Dog hair removed with scrub brush & vacuum
Wheels & Tires
Iron X
Meguiar’s All-Purpose Cleaner 4:1
Meguiar’s Hyper Wash
Multiple wheel brushes – Adam’s Wheel Face brush, Adam’s long handled brush, wheel woolies, Tuff Shine Tire Brush, & Carrand wheel brush
Wash
Foam gun with Carpro IX Snow Soap
2BW with Carpro Reset
Meguiar’s microfiber wash mitt
Decontamination
Carpro IX
Carpro Tar X
Meguiar’s mild clay
ONR clay lube dilution
Plastic razor
LSP
Carpro Eraser
Carpro Hydro2
Other
Meguiar’s Glass Cleaner Concentrate
Ammo Mud
Total time: 3 hours
Like I said, I didn’t have a ton of time on this car so I had to do what I could and split my time evenly on the interior and exterior. The wheels easily took about 45 minutes total which really had me rushing to get the rest of the exterior done. My aunt was very happy with the results and asked when she should have me do it again. Next time I’ll be able to plan and have more than a few hours to get more involved since this was kind of a spur of the moment detail. This is a beautiful car in and out and felt lucky to have gotten to work on it. I forget what year model this is, either a 2014 or 2015.
Credit to /u/zenautodetailing for the write up format. Links reflect where I bought the products. Many of these items should be on Amazon Prime.
Thanks for looking!
I'm curious to see how others in this sub wash and dry microfiber towels, drying microfiber towels (the ones that hold crazy amounts of water), and wash mitts. I usually just throw my normal microfiber towels in the washer with the appropriate detergent & dry them with low heat. But I am wondering if anyone has experience washing & drying the microfiber towels which hold very large amounts of water. I’m referring to towels such as The Double TWISTRESS & the PFM Terry Weave Drying Towel. These can hold several pounds of water. I’ve just purchased these types of towels & I am wondering do you folks just throw them in alongside the other normal microfiber towels?
Regarding the wash mitts, I usually throw mine in with the microfiber towels, but I have a specific wash mitt that I use just for the wheels. Is it safe to also throw this in with my other microfiber laundry load, or is there a risk here of contaminating everything else?
Lastly, on a slightly unrelated note, does anyone have a tip for how to clean dirty wheels/rims? I just purchased a specific wheel wash (AMMO Brute Wheel Soap), I was earlier using Optimum Car Wash. Using that, even with the Mother’s Wheel Brush & boar hair detailing brushes, I could never really get them 100% clean. I am hoping the new wheel soap helps. I also tried using Chemical Guys Premium Wheel Cleaner, but it comes out in such thick globs I can barely get even coverage. I want to try applying Gelee Wheel Protectant, but I am afraid to apply it since my wheels never get fully clean. Not only can I see the dust & grime, I can pick it up with microfiber towels.
Anyway, thanks for reading and thanks ahead of time for the help!
Here's all the stuff I use :)
My parents' neighbor has been watching as I borrow Mom and Dad's hose and he recently asked if I could take on his car and I was happy to oblige! Overall, the exterior was in okay shape - couple bugs, a few spots of tree sap and bird poo, as well as just a good amount of dirt and mud tucked in some spaces. I gave the car a two bucket wash,
clay, Iron X treatment,Iron X, clay and topped it off with a sealant. Thanks for pointing out that I listed my procedure out of order, /u/Deadfable! Here's the deets:Products Used:
0000 Steel Wool from Home Depot (used with QD for the exhaust tips)
Overall a fun job! Got rewarded with a hearty lunch of sausage and peppers on Italian bread. Happy detailer!!
Like other mentioned, get the wheel woolies to keep the barrels clean.
​
Unless the car is just going to sit in your garage and polished with a diaper then I wouldn't spend a bunch of money/time on it. Get one of the popular brake dust cleaners(like Sonax), do a good clean, maybe throw a cheap coat of wax on the inside barrel with whatever you have laying around, keep them clean with the woolies and then just go enjoy the car.
Hey guys, I'm looking for a recommendation on a new wheel brush. I have the chemical guys one here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BJCHX8K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Had it for a couple months but it's basically disintegrating, the fibers keep falling off. When it was new it was great but I want something that will last longer. The wheel woolies from ABN seem nice but I want something cheaper and I really only need one. Thanks
I don't think that is brake dust, it looks like anti-seize to me. Some old school mechanics use it on lug nuts so they are easier to remove, but it sure looks like they used a ton of it. If that is the case I'd pull the wheel, clean the lugs, let them dry and retorque the wheels.
As far as cleaning of the wheels, I'd give a go at Sonax FE or I think an Iron-X would do it as well paired with a light brush. A lot of the vendors sell lug brushes.
I enjoy Collinite 845, Optimum soap, drying aid, for my dash, doors interior, and vinyl on the outside , wash mitt , drying towel , interior and exterior microfibers great for buffing wax and dust on the interior. And if you want that shine and to keep the integrity of your clear coat I would wax every couple months, depending the quality of the wax you decide to go with.
What are your guy's favorite cost effective wheel cleaners?
I have chrome 22's on my Trailblazer SS that get dirty way fast and painted wheels on my Subaru Brat so looking for a versatile wheel cleaner that won't break the bank cleaning the wheels each week.
Right now I've been using Sonax Wheel Cleaner Full Effect and while it is great stuff the $60-70 for 170oz is a bit pricey.
For about half the cost Meguiar's D14001 Wheel Brightener looks interesting https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-D14001-Wheel-Brightener-Gallon/dp/B0006SH4LY
Am I on the right track? I am currently looking for all the products I need to completely detail my car. I know there is no way I could purchase all of these at once, so I am planning on purchasing the major ones first and adding the others over time. I have spent almost two weeks researching on everything I need to do. There is so much information and so many opinions that it is hard to find a definitive answer on what I need.
> Wheel
Wheel soap:
Wheel cleaner:
Tire dressing:
Wheel wax:
> Paint
Paint soap:
Paint soap addition:
Leaf blower:
Clay bar:
Dual action polisher:
Backing plate:
Pad:
Compound:
Polish:
Sealant/wax:
> Interior
Carpet cleaner:
Dashboard cleaner:
Leather cleaner:
Leather conditioner:
Glass cleaner:
There are a bunch of other tools not listed here, but the ones listed above are the areas I am most concerned about.
> Other Concerns
I am still anxious about spraying water in my engine bay, so I decided to use a spray bottle with soap and water and a microfiber towel to wipe down the engine bay while it is still decently clean. Can I use diluted Meguiar's D143 or will I have to purchase Meguiar's D101 instead? Can the Optimum Tire Gel be used on the black plastics of the engine bay, as well as the other black trims of my car?
I want to protect my interior, in addition to cleaning it. I am very confused on what product I need to use to protect my dashboard from the sun. The same goes for the leather seats, where the creases are forming. I have been using a conditioner (although I am unsure of the exact name) to slow down the crease formation. Should I use the same product for both the dashboard and leather seats (with Lexol Conditioner on top of that)? I have heard of Leatherique Leather Rejuvenator/Prestine Clean, but I am unsure of when I should use that.
Your list looks good, but is lacking a few item IMO:
http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-X3002-Microfiber-Wash-Mitt/dp/B000RXKR6M/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1396913798&sr=1-1&keywords=microfiber+wash+mitt The mitt you listed should be fine, but I use these. I have 3 of them and it's good to have more than one lying around in case one gets too dirty during the wash. I like to use a different one for the bottom of my car anyway.
I'd get at least one more pack of those Chemical Guys microfiber towels. The more the better.
I use Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner. http://www.amazon.com/Sonax-230200-755-Wheel-Cleaner/dp/B003UT3S6Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1396914006&sr=1-1&keywords=sonax+full+effect+wheel+cleaner It's a bit pricey but it's very effective at removing brake dust.
For applying the wax, you'll need an applicator pad http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-X3070-Soft-Foam-Applicator/dp/B0009IQZPW/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1396914054&sr=1-1&keywords=foam+applicator+pad
Get a dedicated wheel & tire cleaner like the Meguiar's Hot Rims Wheel & Tire Cleaner, it's a cheaper alternative than the Sonax Wheel Cleaner Plus. The Meg's smells a bit strong (makes me gag if I'm too close). In my opinion they have the same performance in cleaning, it's just that the Meg's is more cost effective.
If you're looking to do a long term value purchase, here's a great setup I can recommend! You may even already have some of these products reducing from the investment cost!
Electric Pressure Washer - $89
Snow Foam Cannon Attachment - $17.88
Shammy / Chamois Towel of Your Choice* - $8.25
Shammy / Chamois help you remove the water off a car so you can go ahead and start waxing once its dry.
1 Gallon of Snow Foam - $29.99
22 Oz Spray Wax Bottle - $12.99
Any pack of microfiber towels, spray like 2 sprays of wax on the microfiber, wipe around, take another microfiber to wipe away wax. $4
1 Gallon Acid / Non-Acid Based Wheel Cleaner (This one is acidic) - $18.99
Dilute the wheel cleaner, spray on the wheels and tires, let it sit for a little bit, then pressure wash off.
Add a clay bar if you want to get embedded dirt / brake dust off your paint! It's easy to do, costs a little, but the results are worth it.
THESE ARE MOSTLY PREMIUM CLEANING PRODUCTS! You can cut a few dollars off by going with more generic products. Why go with Gallons? You dilute all of these (except wax of course), so they will last you a looooooooooooooooong time if used correctly.
The investment is worth it if you ask me, instead of going through your local 1 minute wash for $10 or whatever, you can do a more thorough job yourself!
Definitely give Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner a try. I have had amazing success with this stuff. It will turn from green to red as it is working and breaking down iron particles and break dust.
Also, you can give either CarPro's Iron-X or TRIX (Tar and Iron Remover) a try.
Honestly, by looking at the picture, the Sonax should clean up the break dust and those streaks. Just let it sit on the wheel for a couple minutes and agitate it with a brush. I use this brush to get in behind the spokes as well.
As far as keeping brake dust from accumulating as quick, I'm not sure if there's really a remedy. You can wax your rims, there is stuff out there specifically made for rims, but I've never used it, so I'll let someone with experience speak on that. However, I read the other day someone used Collinite #845 Insulator Wax on their rims (same wax I use). I may give this a try next time I wash the car and see if it helps control the brake dust.
I had good results with Chemical Guys V.R.P. tire dressing. Despite shine being in the name, I didn't find it to be overly shiny. It gave a nice deep, rich black to the tire rubber, and generally just made it look clean.
I just use a wet wash cloth. I don't really like shiny seats. Whatever you do, do not use any foaming cleaners or glass cleaner, it ruins leather.
Edit: Chemical Guys VRP is good stuff as well, or you can use their leather cleaner and conditioner. It doesn't usually leave an oily slippery surface.
Chemical Guys Leather Cleaner and Conditioner Complete Leather Care Kit (16 oz) (2 Items) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TJ3HUG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0nbwDbFHCQCMQ
Chemical Guys TVD_107_16 V.R.P. Vinyl, Rubber and Plastic Non-Greasy Dry-to-the-Touch Long Lasting Super Shine Dressing for Tires, Trim and More (16 oz) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FJIT9BO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_LobwDbE8K7AHH
I've posted my list before:
Car Wash Shampoo: Chemical Guys Maxi Suds II Amazon link
Quick Detailer: Chemical Guys High Gloss Spray Sealant & Quick Detailer Amazon Link
Wax/Sealant (every 6 months): Blackfire Pro Paint Protection (previously Blackfire Wet Diamond All Paint Protection) Amazon Link
Clay Bar (every 12 months): Simoniz S57 Perfect Finish Detailing Clay Amazon Link
Clear Plastics (head/tail lights): Plexus Plastic Cleaner & Protectant Amazon Link
Plastic/Vinyl/Rubber/Leather: 303 Aerospace Protectant Amazon Link
Door/Trunk/Frunk Seals: 303 (above) or Nextzett Gummi Pflege Rubber Conditioner Amazon Link
Glass: Stoner Invisible Glass Amazon Link
Wheels: Griot's Garage Wheel Cleaner Amazon Link
Tires: Aero Low Shine Rubber Care Amazon Link
Go to Amazon and order this (I like Meg's products),
This should run you about $345 for everything and have you setup to take care of your car for a long time. You can find a 20% discount code online for harbor freight to bring the price down $55 for the DA. Go to home depot and buy a couple buckets and you will be good to go.
Edit: To add, I went to Lowes and bought a cheap inline sprayer for my hose and it works fine for foaming up the vehicle, plus it only costs $5.
Edit2: If you are going to downvote me please post why you don't like my recommendation.
Wheels: Sonax Full Effect
Doors cards: Folex.
Interior: Chemical Guys Nonsense (Dilute first)
Protection: 303 Aerospace.
Dis-colorization: The Nonsense cleaner will work but if you want to get a super deep clean, 1z deep plastic cleaner
I've been using Armor All Wheel Protectant and I've noticed it keeps the wheels looking nicer and the brake dust doesn't build up as easily. Mostly makes it much easier to clean the wheels next time.
Armor All Wheel Protectant is actually pretty amazing for this. Keeps dust off for a long time, and can even survive a few rainy days before it'll get gross. I've been using it since I got the car, and I have to say I'm impressed! Cleaning the wheels is also much easier since they don't get nearly as dusty as they used to.
http://www.amazon.com/Armor-All-78482-Wheel-Protectant/dp/B0035XGPNA
(Should be able to find it in stores too)
How did the gap become so large? I'm over in Portland, so I only get around to doing a full detail 2-3 times a year. It's generally a 48 hour process for the exterior if I do it solo and don't rush through it. I can keep the detail healthy between washes + product application. Honestly, just use Meguiar's "Last Touch" spray after every wash and it will make your detail last for months. Most other "detailing sprays" are total gimmicks and won't last, and that includes other Meguiar's detail spray products.
I'm telling you, I last detailed in November and didn't wash my car for almost 4 months. It was filthy, but after washing, drying, and applying, it looked like I had just detailed it. Another 2 months went by before I washed again (this last weekend) and the wax/polish I applied all the way back in November is still alive. I loooove this product. I was going through so many cans I went ahead and bought the industrial size jug. For wheels, use this, but not this. I used that crap for awhile before realizing this product causes specks or drops of clear coat on the side skirt panels to drip off into these white stains. It's permanent, and it took me forever to figure out where that shit was coming from. Luckily I caught it early and switched products.
Clean them with APC to get off any residue then use something like this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009IQXXG/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_uLi5tb1SN1PH5
Tires will look super shiny but the product won't last very long. Only a few days probably. I recommend something like Optibond tire gel that doesn't have a super shine but lasts much much longer.
Looks great, but speaking as someone with those rims...cleaning can be a real PITA.
If you're not already using it, Sonax makes a pretty nice product that will save you a bunch of time getting in between those grooves.
I use this wheel cleaner
Adam's Deep Wheel Cleaner 16oz - Tough on Brake Dust, Gentle On Wheels - Changes Color As It Works https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BPGGSCW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0I8hDb0VR153A
With this brush
Chemical Guys ACC_G08 Short... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N8RHDPW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
And this woolie
Adam's Wheel Woolie - Wool Fibers... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008I58BAA?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Mine aren’t coated yet but this stuff works great.
I would go with a PH balanced wheel cleaner just to be safe. I linked the one I use, you can look further through the forum for other recommended PH-balanced options. I would also recommend an iron remover to help get rid of other contaminants.
I believe these are the exact ones I am using. I bought them off amazon a while ago. Whoolies
Based on what you said about your wheels though I'd still recommend the EZ Detail Brush. If they're tight spokes, you probably won't even be able to utilize the large one. The other two are significantly smaller than the large one.
The only downside to the EZ detail is the spray back from the nylon bristles. As you pull it out of the spokes, it tends to spray back a lot of the chemical from the bristles wicking around.
Careful, the paint chips very easily. Pissed me off intensely. But they are beautiful :)
This and some woolies make cleaning them easy.
I have other soaps and ONR. Just wasn't sure if it matters or not.
Also, since you say treat it like matte paint. That means no wax/sealant.
I was reading somewhere online that people were using Meguiar's Tire Gel to clean the wheel and shine up the plastidip? Another suggestion was Brake Dust Pro.
Can I still use a wheel brush to clean it?
Smile links:
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Amazon Smile is a program that donates 0.5% of your Amazon purchase to a charity at no additional cost. I am NOT affiliated with Amazon. Parent commenter can reply with 'delete' to delete this.
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ABN Car Wheel Rim Cleaning 3-Piece Kit – Original Wheel Woolies Brush Stick Tool – Tire Woolie – Wooly Wand Set (3 Brushes) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L3KDUD0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_29H4Cb8QDYCDY
I’ve had these for 3+ years and they work wonderfully on all of our rims (3 styles of 5-spokes). Worth every penny.
Seems like you're in good shape. Do you have a wax or sealant yet?
I use these but honestly I rarely use them.
-Trackside Front/Rear stands for easy cleaning
I clean and lube the chain about every 500 miles.
Never pressure wash your electrical components (I just don’t pressure wash at all). Other than that, just changing the oil per the schedule and making sure everything runs fine.
Never use petroleum based products on tires. Causes cracking and other bad stuff.
Use light degreaser to clean then use
chemical guys vrp, excellent stuff. You can use it anywhere.
Chemical Guys TVD_107_16 V.R.P. Vinyl, Rubber, and Plastic Super Shine Dressing (16 oz) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FJIT9BO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_DfpDybB2VX1XH
I use the DYC stuff. It works well, for about the same price as the Griots. It smells pretty strongly, though.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EKS5EN6/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_wUW6wbA8C55WJ
Check out r/detailing for some good tips on cleaners. For wheels, I use Griot's Heavy-Duty Wheel Cleaner as a spray cleaner, plus a few special brushes and sponges to wash after the spray with the Meguiar's Deep Crystal Car Wash Soap
Sonax is my go-to. But if you want to go all-out, give them a deep clean and decon, and ceramic coat them. I've used Gyeon with good results. Ceramic coating makes them a breeze during regular cleanings. A blast with my power washer gets 95% of the brake dust off.
My nuvinyl won’t be here until tomorrow 😕.
I’m looking at the three products youve linked and trying to decide which one would work the best. My feeling is that this one might be it. So curious!
Tbh its easier to buy gloves, go to costco, this one isn't branded as eco friendly but it works well and isn't guna iritate your skin,(plus it smells good):https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003Y9A0OK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This is going to sound insane but if you head over to r/autodetailing you will see that one of the best things to get wax off plastics if peanut oil. Real peanut oil. It will work. I would follow it up with some kind of VRP (vinyl, rubber, plastic) cleaner/protectant such as Chemical Guys VRP
Don't scrape it/rub it with anything abrastive or you'll mar the plastic and it will always look streaky.
I have wheels way more intricate than these and I use this tool. It saves so much time, especially when paired with a detailing paint brush. I can get all four wheels cleaned with Griot's tire cleaner and these tools in less than 30 minutes.
Is linking ok? Oh well🤷
Chemical Guys Acc_B01 Gerbil Wheel and Rim Brush https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJCHX8K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_KtIjDbZ1ZCYX1
For wheels you can literally just use soap and a seperate rag that will never touch the paint, or wheel woolies followed by a rag.
You said there wasn't anything on there for Wheels or Interior, but here's the recommended stuff from the wiki:
Hot Rims Wheel & Tire Cleaner
Quik Interior Detailer
Not what I use personally, but just to prove the point a lot of information can be found from the wiki.
If you plan on using tire shine, use something that doesn't contain silicon and i would recommend a gel dressing over spray on shines.
They buy a lot of stuff from carrand for sure. Here's just one example
Carrand 93017 Grip Tech Sheepskin Wheel Cleaner https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009VF1AY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_SCz5wbDPFYH7T
Chemical Guys ACCB01 Gerbil Wheel and Rim Brush https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJCHX8K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_uDz5wb3RQ2XFR
I bought the Chemical Guys one and it's clearly branded Carrand on the handle. That's just one example I can give.
No chain store is going to sell you a product like IronX...you may get good results with something like Meguiar's Hot Rims Wheel Cleaner.
I have the Night Fluo and I love the look of it. Honestly regarding the wheels, they aren't as big as a problem as people make them out to be. I clean them maybe once a week and they always look relatively clean regardless. Especially the front wheel. The chain is what makes the rear get dirty much faster than the front. I use this spray to clean them https://www.amazon.com/Best-Wheel-Tire-Cleaner-Amazon/dp/B014V9GFJU . It may be the reason mine don't get as dirty as everyone claims they do, but it's a non-issue in my opinion.
I got excellent results using this product on my old RC390. Spray wheels with water, spray with cleaner, agitate with a soft brush, rinse clean.
A bit of this and a mr clean should help a bit.
So I am looking into buying some detailing supplies for doing wheels and was hoping someone could look over this list. It is probably overkill, but I would rather have everything I need I think.
Brushes
ABN Wheel Whoolies
Boars Hair Detail Brush Set
Mothers Wheel Brush
Cleaners
Iron X
Meguiars Hot Shine Gloss Tire Spray
Meguiars D101 APC
The total comes out to $113 but I figured I would only be buying most of these items once so it will be worth it. Also this list doesnt even have any sort of sealant so not sure if I should buy one of those also?
I use Sonax on my wheels and clean the calipers with a soft brush like this.
Sonax Full Effect
4.4 stars from 800 scamazon reviews. Works great.
Try this stuff
I've been using it for the past couple of weeks and it's been working great.
I've got black wheels so the only time I de-dust them is when I change sets for the seasons. I use this stuff and it works great.
Do you use tire shine? I've found that it creates more dust on my car.
I also recommend this stuff for lessening the amount of dust on your wheels.
Chemical Guys VRP. This stuff is amazing. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FJIT9BO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You could start with a decent wheel cleaner like Sonax. That will remove even pretty stubborn brake dust (you may need to use a scrub brush with it).
I can't comment on your particular issue, but I use Sonax wheel cleaner and I really like it. It melts away brake dust etc. and it turns purple when it "reacts" with debris on your wheels.
Sonax wheel cleaner is by far the best wheel cleaner I've ever used. Most of the dirt is brake dust which is inescapable. But sonax spray melts it away so easily.
25% off plus an additional 15% when you check out via subscribe & save on this CG VRP.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FJIT9BO/ref=vp_c_A1PQ8LYUB2M2IF?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Hello! I bought a new car a little over a month ago and I wanted to do some basic cleaning with it, stuff that can be done maybe a couple times a month, since I never personally did that with my previous car.
Anyways, I live in SoCal so I'm trying to keep water usage to a minimum. This is my current "to-purchase" list that I'd like to buy soon;
ONR
iK Sprayer
Iron X
TRC Creature Edgeless 10pack
Mother's Tire Brush
ABN Wheel Woolies
Stoner's Reach Tool
Already have: Stoner's Invisible Glass, Costco multipack MF towels.
Will I still want to get a clay bar + wax for after washing, or is just washing every so often enough?
I'm honestly not too sure. Its the Blue bottle
This : https://www.amazon.com/Adams-Deep-Wheel-Cleaner-16oz/dp/B00BPGGSCW/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2A8ZIEF26QW9S&keywords=adams+wheel+cleaner&qid=1556760752&s=gateway&sprefix=adam+s+wheel%2Caps%2C134&sr=8-2
http://www.amazon.com/Sonax-230200-755-Wheel-Cleaner/dp/B003UT3S6Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371747850&sr=8-1&keywords=sonax+wheel+cleaner
Says it doesn't have acid and is paint safe
You owe it to yourself to try a bottle of a good wheel cleaner. Besides saving a ton of time and frustration, wheel cleaners dissolve brake dust so it can be harmlessly cleaned off instead of scrubbing it against the wheel paint for a while.
Try one of these (in order of price). Griot's and Meguiar's can be found in most auto parts stores:
Sonax. It's the same stuff. $17 on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003UT3S6Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466803620&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=Sonax&dpPl=1&dpID=41FlM1230lL&ref=plSrch
Adams is also the same - $15. https://www.amazon.com/Adams-DWC-16-Car-Wheel-Cleaner/dp/B00BPGGSCW
They both work equally well.
Have you ever tried this: http://smile.amazon.com/Armor-All-78482-Wheel-Protectant/dp/B0035XGPNA
I know it does a good job of at least keeping brake dust and the like off of wheels, but I've never tried it on a brushed surface. You can probably get it cheaper from a local retailer. It may discolor your case though, so test it in an inconspicuous spot.
I use Nextzett Colortec Wheel Cleaner with a set of Wheel Woolies. I like Adam's Tire & Rubber Cleaner for the tires. Check out /r/AutoDetailing/ or Obsessed Garage on YouTube for more solid recommendations.
This helps (a little): Armor All Outlast Brake Dust Repellant Aerosol (11 ounces) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LWQ1GAC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Tni4CbDYHRSA6
$24 for Hot Rims? Are you overseas or something? It's literally $5 on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G9524-Rims-Wheel-Cleaner/dp/B0009IQXM2
To answer your question, D101 diluted 4:1 is fine on wheels that aren't super dirty.
No, I used 303 on the outside trim pieces.
I used Meguiars Hot Shine for the tires. I used to use Armor All and holy shit, this stuff is an amazing improvement.
Edit: here's the link http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Shine-High-Gloss-Spray/dp/B0009IQXXG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1377214884&sr=8-2&keywords=meguiar%27s+hot+shine
hey! sorry for the delayed reply...thanks for the help! I was wondering if [Meguiar's All Wheel cleaner] (https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Hot-Rims-Wheel-Cleaner/dp/B0009IQXM2) would do the same? I've already got it and don't want to buy another product if this would do the job.
Meguiars Hot Rims Wheel Cleaner is on sale for $1.99!
I usually see these for about $4-$6
Can't go wrong w/ Wheel Woolies.
https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Car-Wheel-Cleaning-3-Piece/dp/B00L3KDUD0/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2V8RMFR4P8ZN6&keywords=wheel+woolies&qid=1574197344&sprefix=wheel+wol%2Caps%2C136&sr=8-4
Only thing ive tried is car guys wheel cleaner
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014V9GFJU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Meguire's Hot Shine sprayed on a round applicator pad (I would suggest using gloves).
I'm not sure why it says on the Amazon page to only spray it on directly, I have only ever used a pad to apply it and it works great. On some tires (such as the tires on my dad's 89) if you apply it in direct sunlight it fades and looks bad, but I've never had that issue with mine.
Ok so I'm a little bit crazy when it comes to detailing. For rims, I use
https://www.amazon.com/Adams-Deep-Wheel-Cleaner-16oz/dp/B00BPGGSCW
Any of these deep cleaners will work. They'll smell terrible, which is good because it's actually grabbing the iron and brake dust contaminants and pulling it off of your surfaces. Spray on, let it sit for 30 seconds to a minute, and then I hit it with a wheel brush and mitt.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002LOP5IA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Wheel-Fingers-Microfiber-Half-Mitts/dp/B07F3FB152/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1542234430&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=microfiber+wheel+mitt&psc=1
Then I hit it with a clay bar and detail spray, then wipe.
After that, technically you can apply a wax and you can buy a specific wax for your wheels, but I just wax it with colinite 845 since I have a ton of the stuff lying around.
My wheels are gold and so I do this routine once every two-three months. Doesn't take long to do once I keep up the routine as it's usually not that dirty. I ride my bike everyday in all weathers and it keeps up pretty well. Every time I do a quick wash in between, a simple soak with the foam gun and wipe is sufficient
Wheel woolies make cleaning rims so much easier.
Armor all wheel protectant spray...every 2 weeks..https://www.amazon.com/Armor-All-78482-Wheel-Protectant/dp/B0035XGPNA
This might be what you are looking for
Might be cheaper still to buy the whole gallon
Just soapy water (with this soap). I've used Sonax before, but it's a hassle because you have to rinse it off before it dries, and the red run-off stains concrete.
I use this on all my plastics and it works wonders for months. Even down to the plastic on side mirrors and wiper arms.
This:
http://www.amazon.com/Sonax-230200-755-Wheel-Cleaner/dp/B003UT3S6Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344033615&sr=8-1&keywords=sonax+wheel+cleaner
Meguairs Hot Shine tire spray
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0009IQXXG?pc_redir=1409922746&robot_redir=1#immersive-view_1410241747997
You're welcome.
Meguiars wheel cleaner
Not too hard with some “bleeding” wheel cleaner. Just spray it on, let it sit, agitate a little if it’s been a while, and spray it off.
Link: Sonax (230200-755) Wheel Cleaner Full Effect - 16.9 fl. oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UT3S6Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_OBd6BbAS8TXW1
This is gonna sound like an ad, but i bought this meguiars wheel cleaner and it works amazingly. The grime falls right off.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009IQXM2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Not sure why the main picture is showing a "mothers" rim cleaner now but the product information is correct.
WARNING: The post above is full of referral links.
Here's a copy with all of OP's referral links removed:
CART
PRODUCTS
EQUIPMENT
I used to buy it on amazon but I don’t use it on my wheels anymore since they’re specifically for alloy. How it works is when your wheels are cool and in the shade you spray it on it chemically fights the iron particles on your wheels and you spray it off. I’d imagine that and a pressure washer could do most of the heavy lifting. It’s kind of expensive but worth a shot. Link below
https://www.amazon.com/Sonax-230200-755-Wheel-Cleaner-Effect/dp/B003UT3S6Q
Sonax (230241) Wheel Cleaner Plus - 16.9 fl. oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KS5JJ4A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_vr5fAb3M6PSD4
Lightning deal, $14.40, prime shipping. One bottle only sadly.
And it will take you 2.5 minutes to get them dirty again.
Take a look at armorall wheel protectant, stuff is a bit expensive. But it does keep the wheels cleaner for longer.
Maybe try sonax wheel cleaner. I've used it before with some success but yours looks caked on really bad.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003UT3S6Q?pc_redir=1412738872&robot_redir=1#immersive-view_1413683469928
I have tried Adams, its one of the cheapest by gallon. Adams Wheel Cleaner I have used Iron X and Trix, Trix being the weakest. I can say that on paint Iron X and Adams are very similar. I only used on my car but I could not tell apart, maybe more seasoned detailers can. Both smell like something death will run away from.
here is an amazon link https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Hot-Rims-Wheel-Cleaner/dp/B0009IQXM2
just be careful when using it, it irritates the skin and burns really bad if it gets in your eyes (it has when using the brush, unfortunately, and the burn lasts for a day or so)