[PitchBlack]

My owners manual says not to use wheel cleaner on my wheels. I've tried 2 different car wash products and neither of them get the wheels clean. After I washed the car last night, I had to re-do the wheels with wheel cleaner. I don't see how a quality wheel cleaner used properly could damage my wheels. What brand do you guys like the best?

 

[POWERMAN]

Do you use a wheel brush?

 

[drsvelte]

Some of the wheel cleaners are fairly caustic and will damage the clearcoat. Check out Autogeek for product reviews and forum recommendations: http://www.autogeek.net/

 

[FLEX]

I don't use wheel cleaner or a brush or anything.

I use a pressure washer with car soap to wash the entire car then I use detail spray on the paint and foaming window cleaner on the glass and wheels. The pressure washer gets 99% of the dirt and brake dust but there's a residual film that the glass cleaner gets off.

Looks perfect every time.

I have a cheap electric Simonize pressure washer. Nothing fancy.

 

[500CIDV8]

I just use the same car wash soap that I am using for the rest of the car. Working ok so far, but these Brembo's can sure make the dust! They don't stay clean for long.

 

[20Mopar11]

I use JaxWax super citrus on mine. Tires and wheels both. Gets rid of the brake dust and makes it a bit easier to clean. Also, helps disintegrate the brake dust you can't get to. Not caustic either.

http://store.jaxwax.com/Super-Citrus-Cleaner-Degreaser-by-Jax-Wax-s/48.htm

 

[FLEX]

Amorall makes a product that you put on the wheels after you clean them that's supposed to repel brake dust. I have some but haven't tried it yet. I keep forgetting about it.

 

[POWERMAN]

Amorall makes a product that you put on the wheels after you clean them that's supposed to repel brake dust. I have some but haven't tried it yet. I keep forgetting about it.

I gave it a shot on my previous vehicle:

I can't say I was that impressed...then again it didnt have Brembos

Let us know if you find this to be any different!

 

[AvsBest]

Like they say, water and soap is all you need. I suggest some sort of a sealant to make it easier to remove the brake dust.

I use Adam's Deep Wheel Cleaner when the brake dust is pretty bad. My sealant is Adam's quick sealant.

 

[PitchBlack]

My problem has been that even after cleaning, there's a film on the wheels. Rub it with your finger, and it comes up black. I just ordered some wheel cleaner from Griot's Garage. It's bio-degradable and should be very safe for clear coated wheels.

 

[20Mopar11]

My problem has been that even after cleaning, there's a film on the wheels. Rub it with your finger, and it comes up black. I just ordered some wheel cleaner from Griot's Garage. It's bio-degradable and should be very safe for clear coated wheels.

Jaxwax citrus. No film. No disappointment.

 

[500CIDV8]

My problem has been that even after cleaning, there's a film on the wheels. Rub it with your finger, and it comes up black. I just ordered some wheel cleaner from Griot's Garage. It's bio-degradable and should be very safe for clear coated wheels.

Haven't had that problem. I'm using Zaino car wash soap. My problem is getting all the dust off the calipers. Would love to have a spray and rinse cleaner for that, let us know how the Griot's stuff works.

 

[Jaylopez]

I used the Wheel Woolies on my Viper ACR because the rear wheels are so wide. The small one can fit between the inside of the wheel and the caliper. And the medium one is long enough to reach the full width of the inside of the wheel.

http://www.chemicalguys.com/Wheel_W...y11dJ_bTLMSdYW5Ap9T-E_ih8-jfxoAeT5RoCJu7w_wcB

And I love Sonax wheel cleaner. It goes on green and turns purple when it touches brake dust. You will use a bottle very quickly, so I ended up buying a large refill, I think it was a gallon size. It is easy to spray on the rotors and nooks of the calipers. I also sprayed it on the side exhaust pipes and it cleaned the carbon build up from inside the outlets.

http://www.autogeek.net/sonax-wheel-cleaner.html

I just got a 392 and used both products on my first wash and they worked great on the Charger.

 

[papajohn]

http://www.autogeek.net/1z-colourtec-wheel-cleaner.html

I will swear by this stuff along with the previously mentioned Sonax

 

[FLEX]

I've used one of those color-changing wheel cleaners and they work like a charm if you've got discolored wheels due to brake dust buildup and neglect (like I had on my winter wheels) but if you keep up on your car detailing you don't need that stuff for normal cleaning.

 

[Nitemare]

My owners manual says not to use wheel cleaner on my wheels. I've tried 2 different car wash products and neither of them get the wheels clean. After I washed the car last night, I had to re-do the wheels with wheel cleaner. I don't see how a quality wheel cleaner used properly could damage my wheels. What brand do you guys like the best?

If you haven't already, ditch the factory Brembo pads - they're dust monsters. Pick up the Powerstop Z23 pads, front 1405 and rear 1053, for about $100.

Very easy install. I've never done a brake job before, but it's a dream on the Brembo's. Don't even have to remove the caliper. They slide in and out the back and are held in with pushpins and a clip. New pads are dust free, and stopping is exactly the same.

I did it with a scissor jack of all things. It took a few hours because I take my time, and cleaned up the calipers, etc. when I had the wheels off. I recommend cleaning the wheels hardcore when they're off, as I didn't and regret it. Maybe a job for another day...

 

[PitchBlack]

Got the Griot's wheel cleaner, and it seems to work well. I use woolies and a wheel brush, and even the Brembo calipers come clean. You can't believe the black stream of water that comes out of my wheels when rinsed.

 

[29840]

http://www.dipyourcar.com/brake-dust-professional-cat/

I swear by this stuff.

 

[Relentless]

I used the Wheel Woolies on my Viper ACR because the rear wheels are so wide. The small one can fit between the inside of the wheel and the caliper. And the medium one is long enough to reach the full width of the inside of the wheel.

http://www.chemicalguys.com/Wheel_W...y11dJ_bTLMSdYW5Ap9T-E_ih8-jfxoAeT5RoCJu7w_wcB

And I love Sonax wheel cleaner. It goes on green and turns purple when it touches brake dust. You will use a bottle very quickly, so I ended up buying a large refill, I think it was a gallon size. It is easy to spray on the rotors and nooks of the calipers. I also sprayed it on the side exhaust pipes and it cleaned the carbon build up from inside the outlets.

http://www.autogeek.net/sonax-wheel-cleaner.html

I just got a 392 and used both products on my first wash and they worked great on the Charger.

I also use the Wheel Woolies from Chemical Guys on my new SP wheels and they work really well.

 

[Ddaddy]

Try waxing your wheels after cleaning. The clear coat on them is just like the finish on your paint. You need a protective coating to keep the wheel dust from sticking.

The clear coat on wheels also requires polishing to remain smooth and accept the wax finish to maximize the performance of repelling dirt.