Best Way to Clean Wheels? ACID Wheel Cleaner vs Baked on Brake Dust

[@JeffersonHumber]

KKD is the strongest stuff in my asenal. Used it on a friend’s BMW when I had exhausted every thing else….. incredible stuff

[@DavidMcBay]

KKD is phenomenal when nothing else is working

[@johnbrown3951]

I have not much experience with Acid wheel cleaners but one of the best wheel cleaners for heavily contaminated wheels is the Wowo's product that Fraser who previously owned Wowo's when they were at Port Glasgow told me was a non acidic acid i.e. it has all the characteristics of an acid but was in fact not an acid on the ph scale. I was really impressed with it. What fun it is when you can clean really dirty wheels back to something that looks good to most customers. They both turned out pretty good.

[@DavidMcBay]

The wowos wheel cleaner gets really good reviews, it looked like a fantastic cleaner in the video that Graeme done. I honestly can’t remember the last time I had the opportunity to clean wheels that were in such a state! They came up well but are now about to be attacked by a sander 🤣🤣

[@johnbrown3951]

@@DavidMcBay I might have to watch that one from behind the sofa!!!!!

[@SparkleanAutos]

Great to see videos that aren't all maintenance cleans and wheel shampoos!! I actually have a bottle of Devils Juice myself but have yet to find the need for it... I just like to know it's there lol

[@DavidMcBay]

Couldn’t agree more Mark, so many videos out there that are just carbon copies of each other. That’s the first opportunity I’ve actually had to use wheel acid in probably at least 3 years, hopefully I’ll not need to use it again for another 3 🤣🤣

[@SparkleanAutos]

@@DavidMcBay 🤣🤣🤣 no, it's not one you'd want in your weekly kit 😬🤣

[@decker0373]

I have a bottle of the KKD, but like you, I've not been presented with a car that I've needed to use it on yet . All the best.

[@DavidMcBay]

Honestly Lee this is mibby the second time I’ve had the chance to use it. It’s potent stuff but I’m glad I only need to use it occasionally

[@gillywash1487]

Crazy to think people just used to grab wonder wheels acid even autoglyms main wheel cleaner was acid back in the day. We are all much more cautious now and only break them out for extreme uses like this. iron oxide tackles most crusty ones I’ve encountered but good to have the acid option if ever needed.

[@DavidMcBay]

I know mate, I used to just grab what was available in Halfords with absolutely no regard for what the chemical composition was, it’s amazing what more information does and the power of social media to showcase products now. I’ve rarely had the chance to bust out the acid, a normal regime and iron oxide normally doesn’t it for me for the level of crustyness I normally encounter.

[@joevanseeters2873]

The only issue with very high (Alkaline) or very low (Acidic) wheel cleaners are that those types, while fantastic at attacking dirt and grime, will strip off any wax, sealant, or coating off your rims. The wax or sealant will probably be gone before you even empty your wash bucket. A ceramic coating may take longer to disappear, but continuous use of really high PH soaps will strip off protection. Just something to keep in mind. Using a PH neutral cleaner or soap is the best option for anyone who does use protection on their rims and reserving the really high or low PH stuff for those situation that require it. Now certainly detailers will need the heavy hitters for decontaminating vehicles, but for the enthusiast at home, PH neutral is the way to go. Iron Removers are usually PH neutral so they are safe on rims with protection. If you are an enthusiast and you need a heavy hitting wheel cleaner, something like Iron-X or similar is definitely the way to go.

[@DavidMcBay]

this video is aimed at wheels that havent been cleaned in a long time and most likely wouldnt have any products like that on them

[@BS-561]

Hey I love this video! Are your wheels painted or a brushed aluminum / alloy?

[@DavidMcBay]

That is the standard finish, i believe powder coated. i wouldnt use wheel acid on brushed aluminum it would tarnish the finish.

[@GMDetails]

Good video Dave, you’ve done yourself an injustice as that’s an excellent example of which chemical to use for which purpose, it was really good to see how both chemicals worked, what was the wheel cleaner that you used?

[@DavidMcBay]

Thanks Graeme, the wheel cleaner was a bottle from a guy in Glasgow called Blackbeard, he doesn’t sell it anymore so I just used up what I had left in the bottle, it’s just white label stuff, not sure who made it for him but it done a cracking job 🤣

[@pigeonpoo1823]

Good effort. Those chemicals are vicious. If you ever have ants coming up through paving cracks, those chemicals work wonders! There is literally no end of usefulness to Bilt Hamber's (in my case) product lineup!

[@DavidMcBay]

I’ll need to keep that in mind! Slugs are my issue 😖😖

[@APASSIONFORDETAILING]

Great video there's always a tike for an acid wheel cleaner

[@DavidMcBay]

Thanks mate, it’s a product that’s allways handy to have on the shelve.

[@APASSIONFORDETAILING]

@@DavidMcBay agreed I have an industrial 5l had it years great for water spots or any really dirty wheels

[@darrenboston342]

Gyeon iron fallout👌….. Nuff said👊

[@DavidMcBay]

Gyeon Iron is a good product but in some instances you need to use Acid wheel cleaners.

[@thedetailinghobbyist]

Good comparison 👍 Is fallout remover a contender against acid based cleaners? (In terms of baked on brake dust - not cleaning ability)

[@DavidMcBay]

I think they compliment each other if im honest, fallout remover allways looks like it does a ton of work due to the reaction but for the real heavy stuff, if you had a seized caliper for example acid is going to do the heavy lifting.

[@jimbrow83]

Will this ruin painted wheels? Got brake dust on there so hard only scotch brite could barely remove it

[@DavidMcBay]

What other stuff have you tried? Acid should really be a last resort, sometimes a fallout remover can do the trick. I have a short somewhere using garage therapy iron oxide to remove a big rust stain on a car that the owner couldn’t get off.

[@jimbrow83]

@@DavidMcBay tried purple power simple green dawn turtle wax and sonax iron removers / vinegar / rubbing alcohol. Scotch brite only thing removed it but quickly damaged paint if I scrub to much

[@honestreview1043]

I cant find the other channel.

[@DavidMcBay]

youtube.com/@dmautomotive1 this should take you there 👍

[@honestreview1043]

Thanks

[@JayN4GO]

I’ve had wheels that will not come clean without acid.

[@DavidMcBay]

Ive allways been fortunate enough to not really have to use Acid, however its good to know what its capable of when lesser chemicals just cant cut it