Review: DUB Wheel Cleaner

[Marc08EX]

Product Review: DUB Wheel Cleaner

Product Description:

Effectively cleans wheels and targets brake dust and completely safe to use on all wheels and other components within the fender well. When applied, the formula transitions from a yellow-green hue to a red-purple color highlighting the cleansing action.

• Effectively cleans wheels and targets brake dust
  
• Safe on all wheels, brake, and suspension components
  
• Industrial chemistry
  
• Product is yellowish-green and turns red-purple to show its working

Price:

MSRP of $8.99 for a 22oz bottle

Introduction:

Sonax revolutionized the wheel cleaning industry when they first came out with their color changing formula that shows the wheel cleaner's reaction to brake dust and iron particles. For the longest time, I've been waiting for Meguiar's to come out with something like that and finally they created a product that does this in collaboration with DUB.

In this review, I will show you how the DUB cleaner works and compare its performance with the Sonax wheel cleaner.

I broke this review down into 3 sections:

1. Comparing DUB and Sonax wheel cleaners and checking their performance after rinsing only and after cleaning the wheel with soap and water.
2. Comparing DUB and Sonax wheel cleaners in a different wheel and checking their performance after rinsing only.
3. Comparing cleaning a wheel with and without using DUB wheel cleaner.

Testing:

The test subjects I used for this wheel cleaner is extremely neglected. I don't know how long it has been since the car was washed and consequently, how much brake dust has accumulated in each wheel. I wouldn't be surprised if it hasn't been cleaned for at least 6 months.

The following sets of pictures were taken while using the DUB wheel cleaner.

Before Picture of the wheel to be cleaned with the DUB wheel cleaner:


Product applied to the dirty wheel:


Now I let the product dwell and took pictures with time markers as shown in the following pictures.

1 minute mark:


2 minute mark:


2 minute mark close up:


2 minute mark close up:


3 minute mark:


3 minute mark close up:


3 minute mark close up:


Whole wheel showing the color change after about 3 and a half minutes:


Wheel after it has been rinsed down:


Wheel after it has been agitated and washed with car wash soap:



The following sets of pictures were taken while using the Sonax wheel cleaner. I tried to mimic the same procedure I used with the DUB wheel cleaner side.

Before Picture of the wheel to be cleaned with the Sonax wheel cleaner:


Product applied to the dirty wheel:


Now I let the product dwell and took pictures with time markers as shown in the following pictures.

1 minute mark:


2 minute mark:


2 minute mark close up:


2 minute mark close up:


3 minute mark:


3 minute mark close up:


3 minute mark close up:


Whole wheel showing the color change after about 3 and a half minutes:


Wheel after it has been rinsed down:


Wheel after it has been agitated and washed with car wash soap:


The following pictures show the before condition of a set of wheels from a different vehicle and the after rinsing the wheel with just water.

Before wheel with DUB Wheel Cleaner:


After letting it dwell for 3 minutes:


After rinsing it with water only. No agitation:


Before wheel with Sonax Wheel Cleaner:


After letting it dwell for 3 minutes:


After rinsing it with water only. No agitation:


The following pictures were from the rear wheels of the first test subject vehicle (Honda CR-V). As you can see, the initial condition wasn't as bad as the first set of pictures of this test. Here I'm testing whether the DUB wheel cleaner provides any assistance to cleaning the wheels.

Before Picture of the wheel to be cleaned with the DUB wheel cleaner:


Product applied:


After letting it dwell for 3 minutes:


Chemical reaction - you know the product's working!!!


Another shot:


Wheel washed and agitated:


Clean Wheel:


This is the before condition of the wheel on the other side:


After using car soap to wash and agitate the wheel:


As you can see, it left a lot of brake dust in between the spokes:





Opinions and Observations:

As you can see from the testing, this product works quite well and as advertised. The product reacts with brake dust and metal particles and it shows you when the chemical changes color from green to red.

It also helps you in cleaning the wheel more effectively compared to cleaning your wheel with just car wash soap. It makes removing caked on brake dust a whole lot easier.

The smell is very pleasant. It's not like the putrid and vomit inducing smell like other products LOL!

This product is very reasonably priced at $8.99 for a 22oz bottle. I think it can be obtained for less in Walmart. Currently, it's on sale at advanced auto parts for $5 a bottle. You can't go wrong with that. The MSRP is almost half compared to Sonax.

In my opinion, this product is very safe on the wheels. You can leave it sitting for 4-5 minutes without any problem. I feel that's a huge advantage compared to other wheel cleaners such as the Hot Rims Wheel/Tire cleaner.

The only con I have of this product is that it's more runny than Sonax. After about 3 and a half minutes, the wheel is almost dry. I wish that they would make the cleaner more thick or viscous in order to make it cling to the wheel surface longer.

Conclusion:

Overall, I'm very satisfied with this product. It works as advertised and helps you clean your dirty wheels more effectively. You can't beat the price especially when it's on sale. I will not hesitate to buy this product again. Finally, a color changing wheel cleaner from Meguiar's!!! If you haven't tried this product, you need to give it a shot and I think you'll be amazed with it!

[Kamakaz1961]

Thank you for your detailed review!! I no longer use Sonax Wheel Cleaner as you are correct, for 1/2 the cost you can get just as an effective wheel cleaner. Additionally, you can get them at Wally World or a local Auto Parts store. IMO, Dub smells a little better and it is not as hard on the nose (making your eyes water) when you accidently inhale as Sonax. Both are not perfume and both are hard on the nose but if I had a choice Dub wins slightly.

Best thing is not to do something stupid as I did and inhale!! You will learn that real fast!
Dub is now my Goto Wheel cleaner.

Excellent review!!

[CarolinasFinestDetailing]

Thanks for the thorough review. I have a bottle waiting to try in my cabinet.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

First off Marc, Beautiful pictures! I really like how you got up close and personal with the subject and capturing what exactly was going on during your review. I felt as if I were right there beside you. Kudos

It was also nice to see that you captured how these two behave between just letting them soak and rinse off and giving them agitation. Even with today's high tech wheel cleaners such as these your review shows how important it is to incorporate agitation and not merely just spraying and rinsing.

As for the performance comparison of the two themselves, it looks as if SFE had a bit more strength all around with clearing up whatever was on the wheel compared to Meguiar's DUB. Whether being sprayed on and rinsed off or going the distance with agitation added, SFE looks to come out on top. Now add the fact that DUB is cheaper and smells a bit better and that closes the gap considerably.

In the end the user can determine what is needed for them.


Thanks for putting this together and sharing with us.
Mike

[ShaunD]

Thanks Marc for this review. I've been wondering if the DUB WC was comparable to Sonax FE. It appears like I assumed, the DUB is basically a diluted version of Sonax FE, which is how they sell it for less. I also assumed that it would not have the dwell time that Sonax has, along with lacking as much ability to pull the brake dust/dirt off with out agitation. The dwell time/stronger concentrate allows most wheels to be pressure washed clean with Sonax, which is a big benefit for delicate/dark wheel finishes where you want to do the least amount of scrubbing as possible.
In a pinch and when on sale I can see using DUB but, for me I will stick with Sonax on a normal basis.
Thanks again Marc.

[wdmaccord]

Nice review. Just got me to pull the trigger on some of this stuff to try out. I just bought out 3 Advance Auto's online since it is finally $5 here (not as cool as it sounds...each store only had a couple bottles). Just hope they pulled it off the shelf and behind the counter when my order went through.

[Marc08EX]

Thank you for your detailed review!! I no longer use Sonax Wheel Cleaner as you are correct, for 1/2 the cost you can get just as an effective wheel cleaner. Additionally, you can get them at Wally World or a local Auto Parts store. IMO, Dub smells a little better and it is not as hard on the nose (making your eyes water) when you accidently inhale as Sonax. Both are not perfume and both are hard on the nose but if I had a choice Dub wins slightly.

Best thing is not to do something stupid as I did and inhale!! You will learn that real fast!
Dub is now my Goto Wheel cleaner.

Excellent review!!

Thank you so much, Kamakaz!

Thanks for the thorough review. I have a bottle waiting to try in my cabinet.

Thank you, Sicktred08fsi!

First off Marc, Beautiful pictures! I really like how you got up close and personal with the subject and capturing what exactly was going on during your review. I felt as if I were right there beside you. Kudos

It was also nice to see that you captured how these two behave between just letting them soak and rinse off and giving them agitation. Even with today's high tech wheel cleaners such as these your review shows how important it is to incorporate agitation and not merely just spraying and rinsing.

As for the performance comparison of the two themselves, it looks as if SFE had a bit more strength all around with clearing up whatever was on the wheel compared to Meguiar's DUB. Whether being sprayed on and rinsed off or going the distance with agitation added, SFE looks to come out on top. Now add the fact that DUB is cheaper and smells a bit better and that closes the gap considerably.

In the end the user can determine what is needed for them.


Thanks for putting this together and sharing with us.
Mike

Thanks a lot, Mike!

Thanks Marc for this review. I've been wondering if the DUB WC was comparable to Sonax FE. It appears like I assumed, the DUB is basically a diluted version of Sonax FE, which is how they sell it for less. I also assumed that it would not have the dwell time that Sonax has, along with lacking as much ability to pull the brake dust/dirt off with out agitation. The dwell time/stronger concentrate allows most wheels to be pressure washed clean with Sonax, which is a big benefit for delicate/dark wheel finishes where you want to do the least amount of scrubbing as possible.
In a pinch and when on sale I can see using DUB but, for me I will stick with Sonax on a normal basis.
Thanks again Marc.

Thank you so much, Shaun! It was my pleasure to do this review.

Nice review. Just got me to pull the trigger on some of this stuff to try out. I just bought out 3 Advance Auto's online since it is finally $5 here (not as cool as it sounds...each store only had a couple bottles). Just hope they pulled it off the shelf and behind the counter when my order went through.

Thanks, wdmaccord! I hope you enjoy the product as much as I did!

Honda and an Accord fan eh? I also had 2 Accord before and I'm a big Honda fan.

[One2nine]

I picked up a bottle as it was a new product that started hitting the shelves as a browsed through walmart. I was kind of skeptical with the "dub" name that it would be some cheap knock off product. My results were actually good as well. I was pleased to see a color changing wheel product that worked as described. Granted the XD's on my truck are cleaned pretty often so my results weren't as dramatic, so I moved on to my mustang that emits a good amount of brake dust due to the pads I run. Results were as described above. Not a bad product and I think my garage will find a few bottles.

[ChrisDetails]

Great review!

I wonder how this compares to Iron-X from CarPro..? Anybody try them both?

[Bill1234]

Also have used this and was shocked at how well it does for such a low price. I like that its also a color changing, iron dissolving product. However, it is a bit runny and maybe meguiars can make some changes to improve it.