Wheel Cleaning Question

**Scooter1** · 04-13-2016 05:50 AM

I have a quick question for you detailing pros. Anyone had any luck with any products to at least help with wheel cleaning? The brake dust is a killer as we all know. Bigger question is there anything I can do to wheels to make cleaning easier going forward? Wax, Opticoat are some suggestions I have heard. Pic of wheels below (if I attached correctly)

2016 S7 with 21" OEM rims

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**yas** · 04-13-2016 06:57 AM

Sonax is your friend. OptiCoat will help.

https://www.detailersdomain.com/prod...-wheel-cleaner

**agent47** · 04-13-2016 07:09 AM

Sonax wheel cleaner full effect. Love that stuff. Just make sure you power wash it properly. The results are amazing. Side note- I bought the big jug of it, much cheaper than buying their small spray bottles. Also, use your own spray bottle so it spreads properly on the wheels in a mist form rather than squirting it from the sonax bottle.

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**kagegann** · 04-13-2016 07:28 AM

Another +1 for Sonax Full Effect.

**Scooter1** · 04-13-2016 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by yas

Sonax is your friend. OptiCoat will help.

https://www.detailersdomain.com/prod...-wheel-cleaner

Thanks for the suggestions. Safe to assume it won't damage the finish on wheels if used as prescribed?

**Disstrict** · 04-13-2016 08:00 AM

Im using IronX and it does the job good as well :) .. it just stinks as hell :D

**madyspop** · 04-13-2016 08:04 AM

Your car looks sick!!

**agent47** · 04-13-2016 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by Scooter1

Thanks for the suggestions. Safe to assume it won't damage the finish on wheels if used as prescribed?

Yup. Its perfectly safe. All it does it remove the brake dust and all the other crap . I usually spray it on and use a wheel brush after a few minutes . Wait a few more minutes and power wash.

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**Scooter1** · 04-13-2016 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by madyspop

Your car looks sick!!

Thanks Madyspop. She's getting wrapped as we speak so stay tuned for some pics hopefully Friday.

**cjryan33** · 04-13-2016 08:42 AM

Sonax is a great product, but if your looking for other options the Meguiars non-acid wheel and tire cleaner is a great product as well. It will require a little bit of agitation to remove the brake dust. A Daytona speed brush works really well to get into the barrels of the wheel.

http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-non...r-d-14301.html

**madyspop** · 04-13-2016 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by Scooter1

Thanks Madyspop. She's getting wrapped as we speak so stay tuned for some pics hopefully Friday.

Nice, what color are you going with?

**edwardg** · 04-13-2016 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by cjryan33

Sonax is a great product, but if your looking for other options the Meguiars non-acid wheel and tire cleaner is a great product as well. It will require a little bit of agitation to remove the brake dust. A Daytona speed brush works really well to get into the barrels of the wheel.

http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-non...r-d-14301.html

Agree 100% on a speed brush. It really is the proper tool for the job and makes cleaning the barrels and inside edge of the spokes so much easier. For split spokes, a mini brush like the speed master jr. is perfect. But even with a brush I haven't found a good way to scrub the barrels behind the front calipers without moving the car; it's just too tight.

I've also been using cquartz DLUX on our cars' wheels. Haven't had it on anything long enough to speak to its longevity, but so far it's made cleaning a breeze. You may be able to get away with a good hosing off, but I agitate with a brush to ensure everything's clean. Only takes a couple minutes. According to my detailer it's resistant to high heat, so I'll be coating the exhaust tips as well when I can give them a proper scrub. To me, these are a bigger PITA than the wheels...

**PKmode** · 04-13-2016 11:29 AM

While I've used Sonax and like it, let's be honest, it is overkill for most situations. I find a simple strong degreaser diluted to 50/50% with water works very well. What will help prevent the need to keep washing as frequently is something that actually repels the brake dust. Believe it or not, the armorall wheel protectant is a really good product. It works very well at repelling dust, so much so that if someone touches an area, there will be a mark where brake dust sticks rapidly vs the rest of the wheel. The armorall is everywhere from Target to walmart to Autozone or whatever. There is another, better yet more expensive and more time consuming product to use from Ammo NYC. It is there wheel Gelee. Here is a link: http://www.ammonyc.com/shop/gelee-wheel-protectant/

Video of the product:

**denalist** · 04-13-2016 11:59 AM

I use sonax and the wheel speedbrush together and they work great! My only concern with a strong degreaser unless really duluted would be that it would take any wheel wax off your wheels(if you apply any). Plus the sonax is fun to watch as it goes from green to red dissolving the brake dust!!

**Sd76** · 04-13-2016 12:10 PM

21" wheels on the 7 are money!

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**BMcD-RS4** · 04-13-2016 03:33 PM

Scooter - I second what PKMode says above about the ArmorAll spray wheel protectant. I have the same wheels you do which are easy to clean given the big gaps between the spokes. Just make sure the wheel is dry and spray the stuff on. Let it dry and the next time you wash the brake dust comes off with soap and water. Have fun!

**Powderhound** · 04-13-2016 04:27 PM

I had my wheels opticoated, it does make cleaning easier, usually just use the same soap I use to wash the car, but still requires agitation. Also using the Wheel Woolie Brush from Adams, it gets inside the barrels quite well, even behind the brake calipers. There is also a YouTube on Adams website for wheel cleaning tips.

**Tman007** · 04-13-2016 11:05 PM

I applied 22ple VM1 coating on my wheels a year ago, based on the recommendation of my trusted detail shop, and it has been great. Supposedly it's specifically designed for higher temps whereas Opticoat isn't. Manufacturer says it lasts 3-5 years, my detailer said in real life 2+ years.

**Speedemon** · 04-15-2016 07:29 AM

The Karcher wheel cleaner is a winner.

**Island Maser** · 04-15-2016 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by Scooter1

I have a quick question for you detailing pros. Anyone had any luck with any products to at least help with wheel cleaning? The brake dust is a killer as we all know. Bigger question is there anything I can do to wheels to make cleaning easier going forward? Wax, Opticoat are some suggestions I have heard. Pic of wheels below (if I attached correctly)

2016 S7 with 21" OEM rims

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Griots heavy duty wheel cleaner works great. It is designed for exotic ects and will not harm the wheels or paint. They make a 2/3 finger foam pad that you
use to wipe the wheels after you let the cleaner do the job. You will have to wipe the surfaces lightly with the foam to loosen and remove all t6he dirt. I like the
system and have been using it for years. I also like there speed shine product. Great for just touching up and cleaning dirty spots on the car. Spray on and
wipe off with a micro fiber cloth. For those with black cars Turtle Wax now backs a black wax! Buddy did his huge Ram truck with it and it is very easy to use and
the black wax does not leave any white in the cracks etc.

**Island Maser** · 04-15-2016 08:12 AM

PS- those are about the easiest wheels in the world to clean. Griots will take about a minute a wheel for those. Mine have the twisted angled look and require about 4 times the wiping to hit all the surfaces.