PDA

View Full Version : Review: Meguiars Wheel Brightner


Pages : [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7
grambow
05-29-2011, 07:12 PM
A couple weeks ago I posted asking for input on what would remove the discoloration on the wheels of my 2007 BMW X3. Nothing I tried seemed to even make a dent. Not any cleaner or even clay. The overwhelming recommendation was Meg WB. I ordered a gallon and today was my first experience with this MIRACLE product.

Anyone with a German car knows brake dust especially on the front wheels is a never ending battle. In the past, I've tried a plethora of wheel cleaners such as CG Diablo, P21S, DP. None of them even came close to what Megs WB did with less than half the effort.

Here is the before picture. Notice the amount of dust after about 7 days of driving. Generally, when I wash my car, about half the time is spent cleaning the wheels. I hate this part the most - but wheels make the car, if you skimp here, you are wasting your time on the rest of the car.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5eb9rrUL3dg/TeLWWvDka8I/AAAAAAAAAD4/f2P8-VQe1MA/s640/P1000406.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B33ntlKZ_Do/TeLWM0Gzl4I/AAAAAAAAAD0/iox_Dr_ezAQ/s640/P1000407.JPG
This is the discoloration I have been talking about. NOTHING even has come close to taking this stuff off.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AJES5eeuI6w/TeLWYKe6eGI/AAAAAAAAAD8/k0IkMe4d1hw/s640/P1000408.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9kc97cqMVBo/TeLXMErh6hI/AAAAAAAAAEE/mjvZ_T_xv7U/s640/P1000410.JPG
I mixed the cleaner at 5:1. The label says the strongest you can go is 4:1 and I have had people tell me as weak as 10:1. I didn't want to mess around so I went pretty strong. This shows the product dwelling after about 10 seconds. I did agitate with with a speed brush and a wheel brush. Total dwell time per wheel was around 60-90 seconds including agitation.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Y_VyGbe-UuI/TeLXS-sCzuI/AAAAAAAAAEI/dUc0jgo2-14/s640/P1000411.JPG
As you can see the wheel has been rinsed. I could see on the inside of the wheel where I missed a little with the speed brush so I did do one more application. It wasn't 100% necessary and I didn't do it for the rest of the wheels.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mntDo3SkFKc/TeLXjYh_4wI/AAAAAAAAAEM/8fYR2SfoMBc/s640/P1000412.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5D8SQBK5cZk/TeLYEbBA7cI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/v2McqEm65xg/s640/P1000414.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Fy5kI1E3egU/TeLYF8VvDsI/AAAAAAAAAEU/2NSCNCdQgvQ/s640/P1000413.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-foqQimet3nE/TeLYue3ddzI/AAAAAAAAAEc/6HtIFnB0f7Y/s640/P1000416.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RTuaVNtQS3Y/TeLZLjqpPVI/AAAAAAAAAEg/ShkRWEFGgOE/s640/P1000418.JPG
Here is the final result with a layer of DP wheel glaze and dressed with DP tire gel.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_b3v_X4c3FM/TeLYe1E4NRI/AAAAAAAAAEY/oiOW7fhUXFU/s640/P1000415.JPG
Here is everything I used to achieve these results. BTW - if you do not have a pump sprayer, GET ONE NOW!!! This was also the first time I used this sprayer. What a difference! No more fighting with bad spray heads, leaks, and hand cramps. Worth every penny!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-d_eEoMtS6xE/TeLZTHuLhtI/AAAAAAAAAEo/1ShL_-dE1CI/s640/P1000419.JPG

Final thoughts: What took me so long to try this product!?!? I've known about it for a while now but for some reason I have nervous it would be too harsh for my wheels. Not the case at all. Megs WB truly does what it says and what everyone else says it will do. This product has actually effected my life in a positive way! I cant wait to use it again and I wont dread cleaning my wheels. Even with the application of the glaze, I came out ahead on time and my wheels look better than ever. This is now by far my favorite product bar none. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!
Ted S.
05-29-2011, 07:49 PM
Thanks for the review. The only think keeping me away from that stuff is that I hear it's pretty toxic... but looks like it cleans great.:xyxthumbs:
grambow
05-29-2011, 08:14 PM
Thanks for the review. The only think keeping me away from that stuff is that I hear it's pretty toxic.

I forgot to mention that. It could have been because I was using such an awesome sprayer, but I did not experience any fumes. I was pleasantly surprised as I was expecting to have my face melted off.
maximus20895
05-29-2011, 08:33 PM
I don't get it because it's acidic. I'm scared that I might damage someone's wheels. I just don't want to take that risk.

Instead, I just bought a gallon of Brown Royal. I should get it next week. It will be my fist wheel cleaner EVER!
Fast Eddie
05-29-2011, 09:38 PM
I use megs WB quite often but am super careful because the stuff is so toxic. It sure does work well though.
Your wheels look great, only problem I can see is the wheel is so clean the huge wheel weight really stands out:dblthumb2:
Rei86
05-29-2011, 10:36 PM
I don't get it because it's acidic. I'm scared that I might damage someone's wheels. I just don't want to take that risk.

Instead, I just bought a gallon of Brown Royal. I should get it next week. It will be my fist wheel cleaner EVER!

Seen the youtube videos looks like pretty safe yet strong stuff. Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner seems to be the buzz product if you're looking to safely clean your wheels ATM.
maximus20895
05-29-2011, 10:53 PM
yea, but it's 16 for 16 oz or something. Brown Royal is $20 for 128 oz (gallon)! It can also can be diluted up to 1:8. Both are safe for all wheels. People have had great success with Brown Royal and it's so much cheaper. I'm going to see how well it works!
Marc08EX
05-29-2011, 11:23 PM
I'm wondering why you haven't tried Sonax. I'm curious if Sonax would have fixed your problem.
maximus20895
05-29-2011, 11:29 PM
It probably would have, but it's more expensive than WB. I also think that he just wanted to try WB!
tianh
05-30-2011, 03:58 AM
WOW i just did some research on the brown royal stuff.. brown royal works on all wheels? And the only site to get it from is from that nasty looking flash detailing website??
maximus20895
05-30-2011, 04:24 AM
Yes and yes. It's alkaline I believe and not acidic. It even works on bare aluminum which any acidic cleaner will ruin.

The flash site is the manufacturer and it is the only site you can but it from. The sad part is it costs $10 to ship. The good part is it is around $17 a gallon and can be diluted up to 8:1 so it's a helluva lot cheaper than any other non acidic wheel cleaner I can find. I bought the gallon for around $30 total. I'm really excited to try it!
VR8
05-30-2011, 07:55 AM
I'm a big Wheel Brightner fan too grambow. For Audi's, BMW's and Mercedes, it's a must have. Wheels look great!
grambow
05-30-2011, 07:59 AM
I'm wondering why you haven't tried Sonax. I'm curious if Sonax would have fixed your problem.

I havent tried Sonax because of the price. Also, when I asked for recommendations, not a single person suggested it. I read a review a while back that basically said it was good but not as great as they say it is. My goal is to narrow down my arsenal to products that just work and not have an entire cabinet of so-so half-full products.

I considerd Brown Royal but other than the companies reviews, I hadnt read or seen and consumer reviews. I would be interested to see what it actually does.
grambow
05-30-2011, 08:01 AM
Yes and yes. It's alkaline I believe and not acidic. It even works on bare aluminum which any acidic cleaner will ruin.

The flash site is the manufacturer and it is the only site you can but it from. The sad part is it costs $10 to ship. The good part is it is around $17 a gallon and can be diluted up to 8:1 so it's a helluva lot cheaper than any other non acidic wheel cleaner I can find. I bought the gallon for around $30 total. I'm really excited to try it!

I am anxiously anticipating your review!!;)
fredcandetail
05-30-2011, 10:21 AM
love Wb too!
what kind of sprayer is that?