Autobead Acid Wheel Cleaner 500ml - Destroy Brake Dust & Contaminants - Concentrated Gel-Based Rim Cleaning Dirt Remover

Product Information

In fact, the bulk of the negative publicity surrounding AWCs stems from misuse and misunderstanding, both of which can be dangerous when discussing products as potentially dangerous as acids. At Autoglym, we feel that AWC do still have an important role to play in the sphere of detailing, hence why Clean Wheels, one of our longest standing and best selling products, is an acid formulation. It’s a proven weapon in the fight against dirty wheels, and when used correctly and sensibly poses no risk to alloys or human health.

Adam’s Polishes wheel cleaner is designed to only remove rust and brake dust while keeping your paint and exteriors intact. However, at least one user says this product damaged his chrome tires. Based on our testing, we believe Turtle Wax T-18 wheel cleaner is your best bet for removing any debris, but you should use Meguiar’s G180132 ultimate wheel cleaner for painted wheels and Chemical Guys Diablo Gel for chrome or polished metal. Does WD-40 clean alloy wheels? White vinegar contains natural acetic acid, which will readily dissolve calcium carbonate and other minerals.Most reviewers note how well Meguiar’s works, even without scrubbing. While we used a cleaning brush during our test, many reported that simply spraying and washing was enough to fully clean their wheels. When it comes to cleaning wheels, one of the biggest questions is if it’s safe to use acid wheel cleaners. First off, let’s discuss what an acid wheel cleaner is. These are cleaners that are between pH 1-5, with alkaline cleaners being in the range of pH 9-13 and those in the middle (such as car shampoo) being classed as pH neutral. Clean Wheels is acid based yet safe to use on the majority of alloy wheels. We’ve agitated it with our Hi-Tech Wheel Brush, ideal for access to the tight areas on the annoying-to-clean-but-nice-to-look-at alloys.

Much like the Halfordscleaner, the CarPlan product uses alkaline action to get your wheels shining, but you need to get a bit more hands-on, because it doesn’t melt away the dirt quite as easily. Perhaps the bigger issue with this cleaner is that it feels a bit too dry. So we added some water (even though the instructions don’t specifyto do so),which made the process easier and more effective. It's not the best cleaner here, but it's still effective enough and good value. A) In the right hands, yes, but be sure to read the label and safety data sheet before you decide. That being said, we really don’t know why you’d want to, not when Clean Wheels is so effective, affordable and simple to use. Clean Wheels has been proven to be every bit as effective as commercial cleaners yet comes in a ready to use form, meaning that you can leave diluting acid wheel cleaners to the professionals. Acid Wheel Cleaners (AWCs) have been a fixture of the detailing landscape for decades. Prized for their versatility and ability to break down even the toughest of baked on brake dust and other deposits, AWCs have nonetheless come in for some negative press of late, with various sections of the internet calling for them to be all but abandoned in favour of less effective, differently formulated alternatives. The fact that they’re made of a corrosive substance ensures that all acid-based wheel treatments should be treated with respect, but, when used carefully and correctly, they’re a valuable tool in the battle to keep your alloys looking flawless.If there is an issue with the Turtle Wax T-18, it’s that it works too well. Some customers say that while it removes grime and brake dust, it can also deteriorate custom paint jobs. One feature of Adam’s Polishes that stood out is the odor, which was much stronger than the other wheel cleaners we tested. It smells very strongly of artificial cherry – not a terrible smell but something some consumers may find unpleasant. This one is hard to classify. It doesn't claim to be pH-neutralbut behaves just like it is. It even turns red after a couple of minutes so that you know when it’s ready to be rinsed, for the full litmus-test experience. Cleaning wise, you’re unlikely to be disappointed, unless you've previously used the Bilt Hamber, Chipex or G3 cleaners, which all have the edge for the overall clean. It’s a bit pricey, though, and while the product is safe for all wheels, there’s no mention of use on paintwork. With a pH of 2.5, white vinegar is fairly acidic, which can be too aggressive on your clear coat. To tone it down, you need to mix with equal parts distilled water and put it in a spray bottle.