I Tested 5 Types of Wheel Cleaners - ONE will RUIN your wheels!

[@EazyDuz18]

I literally just use BH Autowheelz once every 3 months with just car shampoo in a bucket with a mitt and wheel woolies for all other washes. They take minimal effort to get clean. Very stubborn areas are solved with 20% SurfexHD. That's all you need, no point spending loads on a dedicated wheel cleaner unless you just want a fruity smell like a lib

[@joevanseeters2873]

Great topic Dave. Wheel cleaning is easily one of the most misunderstood and quite often wrongly completed cleaning tasks in detailing. I think a lot of people use the "heavy hitters" far too often not realizing they are stripping the wax or sealant right off of their rims. There are just so many different variables in wheel cleaning, it's not difficult to ruin your wheels if you aren't careful. I've ruined my own wheels before with an acidic cleaner and I thought I was using it correctly. I use a heavy hitter (usually a high alkaline product) only whenever it's absolutely necessary, usually in a decontamination full detail where I am going to polish/glaze and reapply a protection product(s), and even then, most of the time something like Sonax Wheel Cleaner or any iron remover product will work just fine at tackling even baked on grime and contamination while remaining PH neutral. People use the high PH cleaners, many of which have a super high PH levels all the way up to 14 or super low PH level at or near 1, not realizing they may be inflicting damage to their wheels which may not be seen right away. If you wash your vehicle weekly or bi-weekly, you only need either plain ole' soap from your wash bucket (which actually works well in many situations), or a ph neutral cleaner like Chemical Guys Diablo Wheel Gel or Griot's Garage original (the blue one) wheel cleaner which are both neutral and do an excellent job on well maintained wheels. If I have to go any heavier than either of those I will grab an iron remover (usually Sonax Fall Out remover which I really like, but any iron remover will normally work), which almost always will get the wheels squeaky clean and is very safe to use on cool to the touch wheels. If I need a really heavy cleaner (alkaline) for the tires, I will usually just try to mask off the rim face using a quite simple device called a "wheel shield" (not even sure if they make them anymore but I have also made them myself with a sheet of plastic or even cardboard) that is a plastic disc that usually has some type of built in handle on it that just covers over the rim face but leaves the rubber tire wall exposed to the cleaning solution of choice can go to work on the rubber, but 99% of the chemical won't run onto and strip off my protection on my rims. A lot of people don't realize that those heavy hitters can even degrade a full blown ceramic wheel coating. Maybe not on the first time, but through continued use, it probably will strip off the coating. It most assuredly would strip off any wax or sealant you have on the rim face. Of course I have heard the argument from both enthusiasts and professional detailers alike "I always use a spray and rinse sealant after every wash so I don't care about how high or low the PH level of my wheel cleaner is because it works great and I get it done really fast". That's fine and it probably has some merit, but I have both stained and etched the rims before with the high or low ph wheel products, so for me personally, I only will use them if absolutely necessary, meaning TRASHED wheels, or a decon and strip wash. Constant use of those type of cleaners, especially on every wash is overkill by a factor of 10. It's just not necessary for well maintained wheels, usually ever. Especially if you have a ceramic coating or great quality wax product like Soft 99 Fusso Coat or Turtle Wax Seal & Shine which offer strong chemical resistance at a much more affordable price and being far easier to apply for the normal consumer than a full blown ceramic wheel coating. Even though Seal & Shine and Soft 99 Fusso Coat are not specifically advertised as being 'heat resistant', I personally have found both of them to work fantastic on rims and both are super easy to obtain and use, especially for the DIYer. Their strong resistance to chemicals and the ability to reject brake dust on the rim face is almost as good as a full blown ceramic wheel coating. And if they do fade after time, it's so simple to apply another coat of Seal & Shine and you are right back in business again with strong hydrophobic properties. It's the most durable way I have found to seal my rims other than a coating from my own testing of countless products on the rim. Even Seal & Shine alone on the rims is a great option for sure. So easy to apply, it's a perfect choice for the DIY'er for rims. It will make cleaning the rims next time far easier and is way stronger than those spray and rinse sealants that are so popular today. Those products give the user that immediate satisfying hydrophobic appearance but they don't last very long, especially under high heat. They might be a stop gap but again, those products fade so quickly they aren't really providing the same durability as time goes on. The Fusso Coat topped with Seal & Shine DOES. At least way better than those spray and rinse sealants. I get why both detailers and DIY'ers use them because they are just so fast to apply, but for me, I would rather have a really strong sealant like Seal & Shine and it doesn't really take all that long to hit it with a mist of Seal and Shine and then a quick wipe down. Literally a few minutes of extra time but the results are exceptional.

[@Tmp205]

Back to basics, loving it Dave 😊

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Thanks mate 🙂

[@awilliams8015]

Awesome video as always Dave. Damaged my first Dotz wheel leaving an acid based cleaner on said wheel. But was my fault not the products. Am super careful these days😀

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

We all make mistakes. I remember using an alkaline wheel cleaner for the first time (way back in the day) when I started on chrome alloys and ended up having to polish them

[@stewartroberts2983]

About 12/13 years ago I was a "professional" new and used car and van valeter for 19 years and found the auto smart's ALI was in touchable,don't know if it still available, but was the daddy Great content bud keep up the good work 😁😄

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Not sure mate. I remember they had smart wheels which was ok.

[@YumCars]

Great video as always Dave ❤

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Thanks mate 🙏

[@eamonkelly2792]

Hi dave great video, i sometimes use either p&s brake buster or auto smart wheel cleaner, the shelves behind you look great and full of some nice products

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Thanks Eamon, I used to use auto smart all the time. Was very good

[@cholomondeleybiscuitt]

After my chrome plated tuner nuts were absolutely trashed by a bottle of 'Simoniz Ultracare', I've swapped to Infinity Wax 'Liquid Fire'. It turns out that I live a few miles down the road from their Warehouse/Laboratory and yet I've only recently discovered their products! The Synergy Ceramics range has been a real gamechanger for an enthusiatic amateur like myself 👏

[@alistairjones4794]

Another good vid Dave, so yum the best!

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Infinity wax make excellent products. Plenty of choice

[@bobbybox3968]

Love your content. Kind regards from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Thank you means a lot 🙏

[@johnhopkins7614]

I find Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel phenomenally good.

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Yeah that's magic 👌

[@simonmarsh5007]

Fantastic product

[@G15mpower]

I’ve tried multiple wheel cleaners and my go to is Autobrite’s BriteGel

[@karl3927]

Thank you Dave for another great video with lots of useful info. I'm a right cheapskate, as I'll break out the distilled vinegar if the alloys are caked in breakdust 🤣.

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Thank you Karl appreciate it

[@mikeoxley6303]

Nice info dave im just setting up learning loads from you cheers

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Thanks Mike

[@Embrxceyourdemons]

You forgot about one of the best products changing out your 40 degree white nozzle for a 15 degree one for improved tochless cleaning! My favorite tool for this is a Mad Car Care products tip holder on your mtm gun!

[@marktrower2267]

Once again another fantastic and informative video Dave

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Thanks Mark

[@DjNikGnashers]

Good video, with some great points made, and information that most weekend hobby detailers don't realise is relevant. I think most educated car detailers can understand the issues surrounding these thousands of 'hand car wash' places which have suddenly sprung up over the last 15 years, but the average person wouldn't have a clue or even care about. Unfortunately, having worked at several main dealerships, and witnessed tens of thousands of 'service washes', the vast majority of car owners have no respect for the longevity of the cars paintwork or wheels, because most of them never clean their cars themselves. They literally buy a new car on PCP every 3 years and trade the old one in. The majority I have seen, never even hoover the interior, these almost brand new cars are absolutely disgusting health hazards. They drive them with zero care for 3 years, and trade them in for another new one. Some of the trade-ins I have seen are filthy. The people are wealthy, the cars are all very expensive, but to these 'busy professionals' car care is of zero importance. Personally I use BH auto wheel, which is quite strong, but I have used it every week, for years, with no bad effects seen on any of my different types of wheels. It is a brilliant cleaner, and no ill effects.

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Yeah sometimes i feel pro detailers or mobile valeters put too much effort into the job when perfection isn't always necessary for the masses

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@epicautomotivedetailing I guess if somebody is paying hundreds, or even more, pounds they expect their money's worth. But the amount of 80+ grand cars I see as I pass these hand car wash places in incredible, you would think that people who own cars worth as much as houses, would have more respect for their valuable items. Sadly it seems not. And when these cars do eventually end up in the hands of good detailers, the job is so much harder, because the damage has already been done, then the customers are picky because they think the professional detailer can do miracles to a car which has seem a few years of badly washed processes. I don't think most people realise just how much time and work goes into a professional detail, they see an edited video 20 mins long on youtube and just think it's 20 mins of easy work. I have the absolute maximum respect for people like you, because I know the truth, been there done it. It's easy for me now, to keep my M2 absolutely mint, because it's a hobby and I can spend all weekend if I wish, doing it at a steady pace, but for those like yourself, where it is your living, and time is money, even a small time saving tip. or something which takes a bit of the hard work out of your job, is absolutely essential.

[@lewishall5118]

Love the new shelves 😬

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Thanks got them from Halfords. Was a mission to put them up lol

[@TheRetroSteve]

I'm learning a lot from your videos thank you. What wheel cleaner would you recommend for Polished wheels?

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Polished chrome I'd use ph neutral only

[@TheRetroSteve]

@ thank you David.

[@tommoxerrey5522]

Great informative video dave ,

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Thanks Tom

[@Bigdaftboy]

Great advice as usual Dave, looks like you’ve opened a store behind you 😂😂

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Lol glad someone noticed the backdrop. Just testing new ideas for the studio

[@Bigdaftboy]

@ looks good

[@cdg3818]

This is interesting indeed. Good vid. I have a Mk4 Focus ST and the wheels are a very dead matt. I cannot get them totally spotlessly clean despite washing almost weekly, and the car doesn;t do much mileage either. I have removed them to try and clean the barrels but there is always some residual brake dust left. Bilt Hamber won;t shift it, nor any Meguiars. I have tried Wonder Wheels but i think they might have reduced its strength as even that doesn;t touch it. I might have to get the wheels refurbished with a slight gloss in future years, as it really bugs me. Any suggestions? Cheers

[@MrBrett73]

I understand ❤

[@DuncanNewton-w8i]

I have used different wheel cleaners this year from Autobrite purple rain to turtle wax wheel and tire foam and they all smell awful but i have noticed i get head aches later on in the day after using them .

[@stuartbentley7176]

Is the infinity wax wheel cleaner safe on diamond cut wheels

[@scotiajinker8392]

I was my cars wheels , what’s the best cleaner to use on them?

[@dunkyhut]

What do you think of the product “bleeding wheels”? Friend of mine swears by it and it’s really cheap, however the fact I’ve never really seen a review on it makes me wonder.

[@ianapriliatuono]

Great advice as usual

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Thank you 🙏

[@79blustone]

If you regularly maintain your wheels then you really don't need strong chemicals. Gyeon iron wheel cleaner redefined is a perfect product for moderate build up and has very low sulphur smell. Infact it smells of banana. I like to use this every month, but each week I'll use Carpro Reset shampoo as this is a decent shampoo for your cars body- note wheel paint is still paint. Finally, finish of with Gyeon wetcoat adding a hydrophobic layer and more effective clean next time round.

[@bradofwar5960]

I use meguiars non acid wheel&tyre cleaner, hands down the best tyre cleaner I have used. Brakes down dust so easily and after rinsing the product off you can touch it with your fingers without any dirt on it. Only downside is you rather use alot of the product and after using it 3 times washing the car you need a new bottle but I'm not a pro so don't need gallons of it.

[@EazyDuz18]

I literally just use BH Autowheelz once every 3 months with just car shampoo in a bucket with a mitt and wheel woolies for all other washes. They take minimal effort to get clean. Very stubborn areas are solved with 20% SurfexHD. That's all you need, no point spending loads on a dedicated wheel cleaner

[@79blustone]

@EazyDuz18 Bilt Hamber are a decent brand, pretty much most of their stuff is solid. But then, I really don't mind spending money on my hobbie. I feel my cars are worth the investment of the best chemicals I can get hold of. I think it's good to try as many as possible to get a feel of what you like. The Touch-less system is incredible, along with Trace-Less.

[@79blustone]

@bradofwar5960 If it works for you keep going! I'm not a fan of Maguires myself, I really like Labocosmetica, Carpro, Armour detail supplies and Bilt Hamber. But then Gyeon iron wheel cleaner redefined is great- hardly any sulphur smell just banana. Try some, it's awesome 👌

[@bradofwar5960]

@79blustone not using anything else from meguiars though. Could say the same to try some lol.

[@roboliver9980]

Find the best thing for wheels is to just do them regularly and not allow brake dust buildup. Then a normal shampoo tends to do the job. Use a fallout remover perhaps a couple of times a year but to be honest they reek 😂.

[@Steven-x4y9f]

I'm currently looking for a solution, to clean wire wheels on my classic car. Has anyone got any reccomendations on products or tools.

[@MusicManiacJim]

so which one ruined the wheels, and how exactly did it do that?

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Acid wheel cleaner. Destroyed the wheels on the broken lexus. It's too aggressive for pretty much all wheel types.

[@golders99]

Get some Elbow Grease guys. £1 a bottle and you can even dilute it 50/50 with water.

[@petersmith7126]

I've not used it for wheels but I've used it in my door shuts etc and under the bonnet and it's fantastic

[@golders99]

It's brilliant on alloys, it's also great on leather and fabrics. Worth diluting down for gentler materials.

[@whatsdavedone104]

100% behind elbow grease 👌 they now do a high strength one, in a black bottle....elbow grease then autobrite magifoam, wheels and tyres come up like new

[@george1981e]

I’ve got some winter tyres on black painted steel wheels. Can someone recommend what type of cleaner is safe to use on them? I’ve recently moved onto using alkali cleaner on alloys and it’s great but I don’t know if it’s safe for my steel wheels.

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Alkaline products can vary based on the type of surfactants used in the process. Wheel shampoo/ foam is always a good shout.

[@george1981e]

@ thanks for getting back to me. I’ll get some shampoo/foam. Cheers George

[@petersmith7126]

The biggest issue with scratch and shines is the wheel cleaner can dry out before its washed off causing untold damage to the wheels

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Yeah it's such a bad idea spraying any chemicals on those hot wheels but I totally understand why they have to do it as it's nature of the business

[@1888mag]

Been there and learnt the hard way £400 later ( after re cutting ) due to the acid not being washed off quick enough

[@wgm247]

Nice shirt

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Thanks 😁👕

[@adrianmoore3118]

Hi bro I love your videos and I'm a newish subscriber and I'm a young lad who is just getting into detailing. So could you give me some advice pls, I've just brought a car with black gloss alloys and I know they are delicate so what would you recommend to clean them with. And can I put a fallout remover on them and which one would you recommend. And would it be ok to put a ceramic spray coating on them after, many thanks.

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

Hiya mate I've put some links to some good 2 in 1 wheel cleaners / fallout removers that are ph neutral. The ones featured in these clips are from yum and autoglym

[@adrianmoore3118]

thank you bro much Appreciated

[@carloladi1759]

@@epicautomotivedetailing hi, I’m also just starting out with a detailing business, I’ve watched endless amounts of your videos to help me get set up, a massive thank you to yourself for making that possible with so much useful information and really easy to learn with the way everything is formatted. I have a few concerns about pricing though, I live in wales and have tried looking at several different mobile detailers’ prices to try to get a figure but it all varies so much. What would you recommend as a decent hourly rate for doing this line of work? Also how long would you take (in hours) to complete: mini valet, full int/ext detail and a full inside and out all together? Coming across many people that are including things in their normal prices that I would much rather use as an upsell and it’s hard to stick to my gut feeling when this is a fairly new industry to me. Don’t expect a reply as you’ve got loads to look through but I’ve wanted to ask these questions for a while :) enjoy your day👍

[@Matty12333]

alloy wheels quickly get dirty. Also brake dust seems very stubborn to remove

[@malcolmlane-ley2044]

After I had my wheels diamond cut I just did a ceramic coating and don’t need any of these products now as the brake dust and dirt comes off with just car shampoo and water with a rub from a sponge. Someone is making a lot of money from all this stuff.

[@epicautomotivedetailing]

That coating won't last forever sadly. It will reduce particles getting in but won't stop it completely, some coatings will only be scratch resistant on the slightest level so go easy with the sponge