Ultimate Test! SONAX Full Effect Wheel Cleaner [Archive] - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum

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Nick McKees37

01-20-2011, 08:55 AM

I had the chance to test out the very popular Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner today on wheels that haven't been cleaned in over a year. I never pass up an opportunity to put a product to the ultimate test. I'll tell you guys this; I was skeptical. I wasn't sure anything would clean these wheels without spending half the day doing so.

So after lunch I grabbed Meghan and some supplies and we headed outside. As usual, it was another beautiful day in Stuart Florida. :props:

Products Used:

-SONAX Full Effect Wheel Cleaner (http://www.autogeek.net/sonax-wheel-cleaner.html)
-5 Gallon Wash Bucket with Grit Guard (http://www.autogeek.net/wash-bucket-combo2.html)
-Daytona Speed Master Wheel Brush (http://www.autogeek.net/ezdebrfca.html)
-Long Handle Tire and Wheel Brush Green (http://www.autogeek.net/tiwhbr.html)
-Griots Garage Car Wash (http://www.autogeek.net/griots-car-wash.html)
-All Purpose Microfiber Tire and Wheel Towel (http://www.autogeek.net/microfiber-wheel-towel.html)

Just to get an idea of how bad these wheels were, we snapped a few pictures before we got started.

As you can see, the brake dust is caked on very thick.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1018/medium/IMG_0485.JPG

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1018/medium/IMG_0481.JPG

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http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1018/medium/IMG_0482.JPG

Sonax Full Effect is a very safe, non-acidic wheel cleaner that is safe on ALL wheel finishes.

Before cleaning any wheel, first make sure it is cool to the touch.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1018/medium/IMG_0487.JPG

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1018/medium/IMG_0490.JPG

After Sonax Full Effect sits on the wheel for about 30 seconds, you can see the transformation take place as it changes colors from green to red. This happens because the wheel cleaner interacts with the iron particles in the caked on brake dust. Not many products actually show that they're working hard to clean your car - but Sonax does!

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1018/medium/IMG_0501.JPG

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1018/medium/IMG_0497.JPG

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http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1018/medium/IMG_0494.JPG

After we will let it for a couple minutes, it was time to agitate the wheel using our trusty Daytona Speed Master Wheel Brush. (http://www.autogeek.net/ezdebrfca.html) The Daytona works great for getting in behind spokes and in between brake calipers, especially on wider wheels.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1018/medium/IMG_0502.JPG

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1018/medium/IMG_05041.JPG

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1014/medium/AG1_4723.JPG

Once all the hard to reach areas were clean, we grabbed our Long Handle Tire and Wheel Brush (http://www.autogeek.net/tiwhbr.html) to clean the face of the wheel and the tires.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1014/medium/AG1_4727.JPG

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1014/medium/AG1_4730.JPG

All cleaned up, now it's time to rinse and dry using the All Purpose Black Microfiber Wheel and Tire Towel! (http://www.autogeek.net/microfiber-wheel-towel.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1014/medium/AG1_4740.JPG

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1014/medium/AG1_4746.JPG

Check out those clean wheels!

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1018/medium/IMG_05072.JPG

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1018/medium/IMG_0506.JPG

I was really impressed with this product. I can see why it's so popular with professional detailers who not only need a strong, effective wheel cleaner, but also one that's safe for all wheel finishes.

Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner (http://www.autogeek.net/sonax-wheel-cleaner.html)

bodavenport

01-20-2011, 09:01 AM

Wow, looks great

FastZR1

01-20-2011, 09:05 AM

I like the Sonax wheel cleaner and I use it for the dirtiest wheels that I encounter. Last fall I cleaned a Honda Fit whose wheels were worse than the above pictures. The Sonax cut right through the grime and with a small detail brush I was able to agitate all the nooks and crannies and cleaned the wheels with ease. Sonax is my go to wheel cleaner on those dirty, nasty wheels.
I like the DP wheel gel for normal cleaning with your average wheels.

James K

01-20-2011, 09:07 AM

Very nice results. I hate cleaning wheels and am always looking for something better. I might have to pick some up.

SeaJay's

01-20-2011, 09:11 AM

I have the Sonax Wheel cleaner and the stuff does work really well. Only thing I hate about it is the smell. It's awful!

Meghan

01-20-2011, 09:12 AM

Those wheels were nasty!!! I can't believe how fast though that Sonax cut into that grime, I would have to say that is some amazing wheel cleaner! And Yancy you need to wash those on occasion! :p We really should have cleaned all four and not just one! :doh:

Spicy McHaggis

01-20-2011, 09:15 AM

Tom Weed

01-20-2011, 09:20 AM

I would have to agree, it's great stuff, I too have it, use it on dirty wheels. Only downside is the price and the smell!

Great review btw! That's impressive! :xyxthumbs:

Nick McKees37

01-20-2011, 09:42 AM

I applaud taking the time to do this test but I have one small issue. IMO almost any decent wheel cleaner will get wheels clean if you scrub them. I think to really test the cleaning ability of a wheel cleaner you have to let it dwell and then rinse it off. That will show the true cleaning abilities. While I do keep Sonax on hand for mostly European cars, it's price and less than hyped performance keep me from using it on other wheels. IMO Autoglym Custom Wheel Cleaner works much better, for half the price, and it will clean tires like no other.

Again, thanks for taking the time to do the test, I just think it is slightly misleading.

You're right, any decent wheel cleaner with enough agitation will clean just about any dirty wheel. But not all wheel cleaners are safe for all wheel finishes. For a lot of people, professionals alike - time is money.

In this case, the wheels had been neglected for so long that the brake dust keeps getting caked on that agitation is necessary when cleaning. Now if these wheels were properly maintained and only required a cleaning every week or two, I would be more than willing to bet 99% of the work would be "spray and rinse." But when something goes so long without being cleaned, whether it's a stove, shower, wheels, etc - a little scrubbing is the only solution to getting the job done. :)

Marc08EX

01-20-2011, 10:20 AM

Meghan

01-20-2011, 10:23 AM

Great review Nick!!! I've been on the edge regarding this product but review like this convince me to get it.

As a comparison, did you try washing a different wheel on the same car using car soap and water only? I think the ultimate test is to clean a wheel where soap/water couldn't really cut through the dirt/brake dust caked on the wheel.

No we didn't Nick wanted to learn about the Sonax wheel cleaner as he has never used it, we had 15 mins to spare and we tried it out. Yancy still has three dirty wheels and I bet they will still be dirty next week so maybe we will experiment with another.

Meghan

01-20-2011, 10:29 AM

I applaud taking the time to do this test but I have one small issue. IMO almost any decent wheel cleaner will get wheels clean if you scrub them. I think to really test the cleaning ability of a wheel cleaner you have to let it dwell and then rinse it off. That will show the true cleaning abilities. While I do keep Sonax on hand for mostly European cars, it's price and less than hyped performance keep me from using it on other wheels. IMO Autoglym Custom Wheel Cleaner works much better, for half the price, and it will clean tires like no other.

Again, thanks for taking the time to do the test, I just think it is slightly misleading.

I think its a little "twisted" to think that you can spray a wheel with a safe wheel cleaner and not touch the wheel and expect rinsing it off with water is going to make someone happy about the outcome. Most all wheels have nooks and crannies that do require more then misting a tire with a cleaner and rinsing, unless of course what you are using is highly acidic. To conclude there is no misleading, Nick wanted to try out Sonax wheel cleaner so I took him outside and we tried it... am I missing something?

Spicy McHaggis

01-20-2011, 10:41 AM

I think its a little "twisted" to think that you can spray a wheel with a safe wheel cleaner and not touch the wheel and expect rinsing it off with water is going to make someone happy about the outcome. Most all wheels have nooks and crannies that do require more then misting a tire with a cleaner and rinsing, unless of course what you are using is highly acidic. To conclude there is no misleading, Nick wanted to try out Sonax wheel cleaner so I took him outside and we tried it... am I missing something?
I don't know what you mean by twisted, but it does sound crazy when you put it like that. I never said thats how you clean a wheel. I said thats how you can truely test it's cleaning abilities. And for what it's worth there have been plenty of wheels I have sprayed with P21s, sonax, CG Diablo, and CWC and pressure washed them perfectly clean without having to touch them. usually these are wheels that aren't in too bad of shape.

I agree that on some wheel, like these, you have to really get i and scrub them to get them clean. However any cleaner can do that. The draw of the high end cleaners is that they are safe on all wheels. In reality there are only a few types of wheels that you can't use APC on, so while these products have their place, I don't believe they need to be used every time.

Twisted would be doing it out in the cold with not pants on :dblthumb2:

Marc08EX

01-20-2011, 11:45 AM

No we didn't Nick wanted to learn about the Sonax wheel cleaner as he has never used it, we had 15 mins to spare and we tried it out. Yancy still has three dirty wheels and I bet they will still be dirty next week so maybe we will experiment with another.

Sounds great Meghan!!! Yeah I'd be interested to see how will car wash soap and water perform with wheels soiled like that. I think when you show that normal soap/water can't clean wheels that dirty but Sonax can then it'll be a great selling point.

I recently bought P21S gel from AG and now I regret it. Should have gotten the Sonax!!! Grrrr!

Marc08EX

01-20-2011, 11:53 AM

I wish I can try out detailing products like Nick in my free time. LOL! Must be nice working for Autogeek! :)