"Impressive"4-Way Wheel cleaner test & Tire Shine Comparison [Archive]

View Full Version : "Impressive"4-Way Wheel cleaner test & Tire Shine Comparison

Pages : [1] 2

IID

08-01-2011, 07:27 PM

Well I have not had the time lately until today to post these product reviews.The review will be done on a very neglected 2000' Buick LeSabre Custom.

I'm also going to be cleaning the tire's with my FAVORITE tire cleaner-OPC.Note that ALL tires are sprayed with OPC and dwell the same time as the wheel cleaner on each wheel.
I will test these (3) wheel cleaners:
Sonax,GG HD,IronX
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01465.jpg?t=1312241485

Wheel #1 will be the driver front,testing Sonax:
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01466.jpg?t=1312241233

Spayed the wheel down and let the Sonax dwell while I move onto the next wheel:
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01471.jpg?t=1312241796
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01472.jpg?t=1312241971

On to wheel #2,which will be passenger front.
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01467.jpg?t=1312242051

This wheel will be sprayed with IronX and then let to dwell:
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01473.jpg?t=1312242113
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01474.jpg?t=1312242163

Then onto wheel #3 which is the passenger rear:
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01468.jpg?t=1312242243
And wheel #4,which is the driver rear:
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01469.jpg?t=1312242502

Thou the rear wheel's are not as bad as the front two wheel's (good thing as you will see later),I sprayed the GG HD on both rear wheel's and let dwell:
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01476.jpg?t=1312242606
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01477.jpg?t=1312241074

As I let the wheel cleaners dwell for several minutes,I retrieve my wheel/tire cleaning brushes:
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01470.jpg?t=1312242750

After agitating the wheels with the brushes (and they ALL did need agitation to clean),here is the outcome's.

Sonax:
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01478.jpg?t=1312242811
before:
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01466.jpg?t=1312241233

IronX:
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01479.jpg?t=1312242939
before:
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01467.jpg?t=1312242051

GG HD:
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01480.jpg?t=1312242990

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01483.jpg?t=1312243292

I walked around each wheel and inspected a lil' closer.All the wheel cleaning product's did very well but upon further review,the GG HD left some contamination behind that the others did not:
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01481.jpg?t=1312241016

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01482.jpg?t=1312241005

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01484.jpg?t=1312243351

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01485.jpg?t=1312240968

Now I thought I did a real thorough job of cleansing/scrubbing each wheel with it's corresponding product.After further thinking,I remembered that the (2) wheels that I applied the GG HD to were not as bad as the front wheels.I scrubbed each wheel well enough to my satisfaction to think they would all be clean.
So I decided to hit the (1) rear wheels again with Sonax where previously I applied and scrubbed with GG HD.Here is what came off additionally:
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01486.jpg?t=1312240955

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01487.jpg?t=1312240944

And the other (1) wheel with IronX that had been previously cleaned/scrubbed with GG HD:
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01488.jpg?t=1312240930

I am NOT saying the GG HD is a sub-par product but I am saying (personally) I think the IronX and Sonax does a better job cleaning.

Now onto the (4) tire dressings.
I'm just showing each product's applied/finish appearance on each of it's tire's.

AutoGlym Tyre Shine (sorry AG for mentioning this product as this is one of my favorite tire dressing).I know the bottle is NOT AutoGlym but that's what is in it:
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01489.jpg?t=1312244280

EcoTouch Tire Shine (another good one as well):
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01490.jpg?t=1312240900

CarPro PERL,is whats in the Wagner:
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01491.jpg?t=1312240885

And Finally,Wolfgangs Black Onyx Tire Gel:
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd466/ImpressiveImageDetailing/2011-08-01/DSC01492.jpg?t=1312240875

Thank You for looking :)

V3AutoDetailing

08-01-2011, 07:36 PM

I agree with your findings, After trying the GG wheel cleaner on very dity wheels to dusty ones. I am not very impressed with its cleaning powers. It does work good on lightly soiled wheels, but it does leaving something on the table. The cost is reasonable though.

I have not used sonax but have it in my cart for the next order i put it. Great review

IID

08-01-2011, 07:46 PM

I have to apologize to all because the title should have read,3-Way Wheel cleaner test! I'm sorry for any and all confusion. :doh:

Maybe a Moderator would PLEASE change it for me?

Setec Astronomy

08-01-2011, 08:20 PM

Whitewalls? My last whitewall was 1980, I think. Nice test.

Rei86

08-01-2011, 08:30 PM

IME I found Iron X to do noting for the baked on brake dust. Glade to see this review and how well it worked for your IID

IID

08-02-2011, 05:31 AM

Whitewalls? My last whitewall was 1980, I think. Nice test.

Yeah,the whitewall's would not be my personal 1st choice but it did help show the cleaning power of the OPC.
Thank you.

IID

08-02-2011, 05:34 AM

IME I found Iron X to do noting for the baked on brake dust. Glade to see this review and how well it worked for your IID

I actually thought the IronX cleaned the best out of all the wheel cleaners.

Dubbin1

08-02-2011, 03:15 PM

Great job on the 3 way Chris :D One of these days I'll get one of those wheel cleaners.

Twister

08-02-2011, 05:29 PM

Thanks for posting your findings. I was courious how they all compared

rwright

08-02-2011, 05:52 PM

I agree with your findings. None of the tires appear dressed, just really clean. I've had 2 customers with Bridgestone tires and they pretty much refuse dressing. On one vehicle I applied 3 different dressings in multiple layers with the same results :dunno:. I was using Sonax for wheels and Iron X for paint, but now I just use Iron X for both.

IID

08-02-2011, 10:19 PM

Great job on the 3 way Chris :D One of these days I'll get one of those wheel cleaners.
Hey bud,haven't seen you around for awhile.Hope all is well :)

Thanks for posting your findings. I was courious how they all compared
My pleasure ;)

I agree with your findings. None of the tires appear dressed, just really clean. I've had 2 customers with Bridgestone tires and they pretty much refuse dressing. On one vehicle I applied 3 different dressings in multiple layers with the same results :dunno:. I was using Sonax for wheels and Iron X for paint, but now I just use Iron X for both.
Yes,I think how tire dressings appear depends somewhat on the manufacture and design/pattern on the face of the tire(sidewall).

Scarelane

08-02-2011, 10:40 PM

Great review! I would like to try the Sonax. Lots of positive reviews on that one! I have used the Griot's HD Wheel Cleaner many times with great results. Even on my wife's cruddy, abused wheels! But I want to try the Sonax.....Always room for another product in the arsenal!

Have you tried the Griot's Vinyl & Rubber Dressing? That's my favorite so far.

IID

08-02-2011, 10:50 PM

Great review!

Have you tried the Griot's Vinyl & Rubber Dressing? That's my favorite so far.
Thank You Ted.

I have Not tried the GG V&RD-yet but I'm always looking for a durable tire product that also makes the tires look (1) step above clean (very very little shine).

Kristopher1129

08-02-2011, 11:23 PM

Rei86

08-02-2011, 11:35 PM

Interesting. I'm kinda bummed out about your findings, ha. I just bought a gallon of GG HD wheel cleaner to try it out. I just went through two of the 5 liter containers of Sonax. As much as I like the Sonax...I just can't swallow that hefty price tag. I can buy 3 gallons of GG HD for the price of two 5 liters of Sonax.

I was willing to bust out the money for the Sonax simply because I have a few guys working for me now...and I wanted something safe on all rims for them to use. I just didn't really wanna risk coming around the corner to find one of my guys confused as to why the rims are spotted, haha.

I guess my question now is....how much is Iron X? lol

CarPro Iron X 5 Liter Refill (http://www.autogeek.net/carpro-ironx-5-liters.html)

Its pretty damn expensive but you can use it on the cars paint too so it can double duty. I forgot the member but he did a side by side with Iron X on one side of a white truck and Sonax FE (Paint mind you) and Iron X did its job. Where Sonax just kind of stayed green.

I actually thought the IronX cleaned the best out of all the wheel cleaners.

Yeah it just didn't do anything for my rims