Best Cleaner for Wheels?

mdrobc13 · 03-10-2013, 05:25 PM

Just updated my wheels with these and wondered what the best wheel cleaners are out there for aftermarket wheels you guys have out there. Of course you want something that works and that doesn't destroy your wheels but I have heard folks using varied cleaners...here's some of the following:

1. Sonox Wheel Cleaner Full Effect
2. Klasse All in One
3. Rejex
4. Meguiar's Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner
5. Griot's Garage Wheel Cleaner
6. P21S High Performance Wheel Cleaner Kit
7. Armor All Wheel Cleaner
8. MOTHERS Foaming Wheel & Tire Cleaner

Here are both my winter and summer wheels I am looking to protect and keep looking their best!

Thoughts? Comments? Recommendations? What are you guys using out there on your cars.

Lee · 03-10-2013, 11:21 PM

Started using Meguiar's Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner about two months ago. Seems to work okay to me, but interested in what others think.

jdmfrogg · 03-10-2013, 11:33 PM

Recently I started using Sonax full effect because of the recent buy 2 get 1 free deal @ Detailers Domain. I'm running Forgestars, so I wanted something safe for the powdercoat finish. Sonax had a lot of reviews where there were no issues on painted finishes. I use Sonax, a daytona style brush to get the inside of the barrel and a thin brush to get in between the spokes. It's given me good results so far, so will stick with this product for a bit.

Analog · 03-11-2013, 06:16 PM

I use Sonox if my wheels are dirty.
For regular maintenance, i just use regular car soap.

Alan l. · 03-12-2013, 08:27 AM

Sonax

I've used the meguiars stuff in the past and it completely ruined the finish of my wheels if you leave it on too long. No issues with the Sonax at all.

Alan

ENZO- · 03-13-2013, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan l.

Sonax

I've used the meguiars stuff in the past and it completely ruined the finish of my wheels if you leave it on too long. No issues with the Sonax at all.

Alan

Completely agree! That was my experience as well. Sonax is the real deal!

XDEEDUBBX · 03-13-2013, 01:42 PM

Sonax is great but seriously, nothing beats a good microfiber towel, water, elbow grease, and a good car wash soap.

Lee · 03-13-2013, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XDEEDUBBX

Sonax is great but seriously, nothing beats a good microfiber towel, water, elbow grease, and a good car wash soap.

What do you consider 'good' soap?

snj1013 · 03-13-2013, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XDEEDUBBX

Sonax is great but seriously, nothing beats a good microfiber towel, water, elbow grease, and a good car wash soap.

yes and no. Nothing beats your system as far as price, but Sonax will release the sintered iron particals from brake pads that become attached to your wheels. Even scrubbing with your microfiber towel, brush, etc., won't do the same.

For me, when my wheels are really dirty, I use Sonax. For a routine clean, I just use car soap (Meguirars or Optimum Car Wash)

Just my 2 cents.

JimmyD · 03-13-2013, 04:29 PM

The best this to use on wheels is Dawn dish soap, its cheap, and safe and it works great, then follow with a good wheel wax, after that just use your regular car soap like meguiars gold class because dawn will remove the wax.

mdrobc13 · 03-14-2013, 12:21 AM

Just got some Sonax via Amazon.com. Will try them out and see what happens!

Thanks for all the advice guys!

dmontg · 03-14-2013, 07:15 PM

Is a product like Simple Green too harsh or ineffective?

marktty88 · 03-24-2013, 09:33 AM

Sonax is good!

XDEEDUBBX · 04-05-2013, 03:20 PM

I see what your saying but if maintained properly and regularly all you really need is a good car soap shampoo, bucket of water and a microfiber towel. I think I know a thing or two about car care as I own my own detailing business on the side. Another step to take even further would be to clay your wheels atleast 2-3 times a year and seal them with a good wax or glaze. Remember, Sonax is good for short term and regular maintenance, but actually taking a step further with claying your wheels will remove contaminants that sonax will never be able to remove.

Quote:

Originally Posted by snj1013

yes and no. Nothing beats your system as far as price, but Sonax will release the sintered iron particals from brake pads that become attached to your wheels. Even scrubbing with your microfiber towel, brush, etc., won't do the same.

For me, when my wheels are really dirty, I use Sonax. For a routine clean, I just use car soap (Meguirars or Optimum Car Wash)

Just my 2 cents.

guyincogntioo · 07-04-2013, 11:18 AM

I know this thread is few months old, but I wanted to add that the BMW rim cleaner you can get from the dealer is just re-branded P21s.

03-10-2013, 05:25 PM	#1
mdrobc13 Colonel 340 Rep 2,232 Posts Drives: Made in Bavaria Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: On a base somewhere near or afar! iTrader: (8) Garage List 2021 BMW X3e [0.00] 2016 BMW M4 [9.00]	Best Cleaner for Wheels? Just updated my wheels with these and wondered what the best wheel cleaners are out there for aftermarket wheels you guys have out there. Of course you want something that works and that doesn't destroy your wheels but I have heard folks using varied cleaners...here's some of the following: 1. Sonox Wheel Cleaner Full Effect 2. Klasse All in One 3. Rejex 4. Meguiar's Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner 5. Griot's Garage Wheel Cleaner 6. P21S High Performance Wheel Cleaner Kit 7. Armor All Wheel Cleaner 8. MOTHERS Foaming Wheel & Tire Cleaner Here are both my winter and summer wheels I am looking to protect and keep looking their best! Thoughts? Comments? Recommendations? What are you guys using out there on your cars. Attached Images __________________ '22 BMW M4 Comp (SSG/Black) '16 BMW M4 (Shakir Orange/Black) - gone not forgotten '15 BMW M3 (Black/Black) - gone not forgotten '10 BMW X5M (Black/Black) - gone not forgotten '08 BMW M3 (Space Gray/Black) - gone not forgotten
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03-10-2013, 11:21 PM	#2
Lee Lieutenant 64 Rep 411 Posts Drives: '17 X5 50i/'01 Z3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	Started using Meguiar's Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner about two months ago. Seems to work okay to me, but interested in what others think.
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03-10-2013, 11:33 PM	#3
jdmfrogg Private 27 Rep 85 Posts Drives: 2011 535 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Francisco Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Recently I started using Sonax full effect because of the recent buy 2 get 1 free deal @ Detailers Domain. I'm running Forgestars, so I wanted something safe for the powdercoat finish. Sonax had a lot of reviews where there were no issues on painted finishes. I use Sonax, a daytona style brush to get the inside of the barrel and a thin brush to get in between the spokes. It's given me good results so far, so will stick with this product for a bit.
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03-11-2013, 06:16 PM	#4
Analog Captain 37 Rep 621 Posts Drives: 12 F10 535 xdrive Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Santa Clara, CA iTrader: (20)	I use Sonox if my wheels are dirty. For regular maintenance, i just use regular car soap.
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03-12-2013, 08:27 AM	#5
Alan l. Major General 5437 Rep 8,807 Posts Drives: 2020 F95 X5M Competition Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: United States iTrader: (9)	Sonax I've used the meguiars stuff in the past and it completely ruined the finish of my wheels if you leave it on too long. No issues with the Sonax at all. Alan __________________
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03-13-2013, 01:42 PM	#7
XDEEDUBBX Lieutenant Colonel 64 Rep 1,715 Posts Drives: 535I Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Los Angelz iTrader: (11)	Sonax is great but seriously, nothing beats a good microfiber towel, water, elbow grease, and a good car wash soap.
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03-13-2013, 04:29 PM	#10
JimmyD Jimmy D. 2011 F-10 550i Sport, Black Sapphire 15 Rep 133 Posts Drives: 2011 F-10 550i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: S.C. iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 550i [0.00]	cleaner The best this to use on wheels is Dawn dish soap, its cheap, and safe and it works great, then follow with a good wheel wax, after that just use your regular car soap like meguiars gold class because dawn will remove the wax.
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03-14-2013, 12:21 AM	#11
mdrobc13 Colonel 340 Rep 2,232 Posts Drives: Made in Bavaria Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: On a base somewhere near or afar! iTrader: (8) Garage List 2021 BMW X3e [0.00] 2016 BMW M4 [9.00]	Just got some Sonax via Amazon.com. Will try them out and see what happens! Thanks for all the advice guys! __________________ '22 BMW M4 Comp (SSG/Black) '16 BMW M4 (Shakir Orange/Black) - gone not forgotten '15 BMW M3 (Black/Black) - gone not forgotten '10 BMW X5M (Black/Black) - gone not forgotten '08 BMW M3 (Space Gray/Black) - gone not forgotten
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03-14-2013, 07:15 PM	#12
dmontg Private 3 Rep 62 Posts Drives: 2013 MSport 550i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	Is a product like Simple Green too harsh or ineffective? __________________ Best regards, Don M
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03-24-2013, 09:33 AM	#13
marktty88 Enlisted Member 8 Rep 49 Posts Drives: BMW F01 and BMW F10 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Singapore iTrader: (0)	Sonax is good!
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07-04-2013, 11:18 AM	#15
guyincogntioo New Member 10 Rep 25 Posts Drives: '22 M550i \| '21 X7 M50i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	I know this thread is few months old, but I wanted to add that the BMW rim cleaner you can get from the dealer is just re-branded P21s.
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