Newbie -- Tire & Wheel Care Product Recommendations

[icepickjazz]

I've been spending alot of time here reading all I can. Probably too much time, because I have hit information overload. I am looking for tire care product recommendations for my 3 daily drivers, they will never be show cars but would like them to look good. I only intend on detailing my personal vehicles.

My wife has 2013 Mazxda CX-5 with 19" aluminum alloy wheels, I drve 2004 Ford Explorer and we also have 98 Toyota Sienna. There are so many product choices, but I'm looking for good value, multi purpose products if possible. Any recommendations for cleaners, dressings, protectants, or tools to maintain the tire and wheels?

Thanks

[jdmj0]

For price and attainability:

For tires: Bleach Wite or Purple Power APC (or any APC for that matter).

For clear-coated wheels: Meg's D140 (Wheel Brightener).

As for those aluminium wheels, I'll let others chime in on those as I'm no expert in that area.

There are of course other great products, but they do cost a bit more.

Just try some out and enjoy the ride of exploration that is car detailing

[Dimetera413]

Optimum Power Clean is a little more expensive but it eliminates the need for separate products to clean the rims and then one to clean the tires. OPC does everything well and can be effective even when diluted at 10:1.

[oejeffrey]

For a good wheel brush you can't go wrong with the Daytona & the junior.

This is the jr and it is small enough you can use it in multiple places.

[Sicoupe]

^ +1 on the DAYTONA, they work awesome! Worth the money for sure

[mwoolfso]

I use a Daytona Wheel Brush, Mothers Wheel Brush and Megs APC+ diluted 1:4. Never had a problem with this mix. I may switch to OPC in the future so I can use this type of mixture for interiors.

As for tire dressing I use CarPro PERL diluted with distilled water. I find that applying 2-3 layers brings out the best durability and finish I expect.

[WRXINXS]

For price and attainability:

For tires: Bleach Wite or Purple Power APC (or any APC for that matter).

For clear-coated wheels: Meg's D140 (Wheel Brightener).

As for those aluminium wheels, I'll let others chime in on those as I'm no expert in that area.

There are of course other great products, but they do cost a bit more.

Just try some out and enjoy the ride of exploration that is car detailing

I don't think I would recommend Wheel Brightener for a noobie. I have never used it but heard it is some nasty stuff.

I always look for a good PH balanced Wheel Cleaner. I use Griots Wheel Cleaner for wheels in good shape and Wolfgang Uber Wheel Cleaner for neglected wheels.

I scrub my tires with Griots Rubber Cleaner.

Good Tire dressings would be Optimum Opti-Bond / Carpro PERL / Poorboy's World Bold & Bright Gel.

As mentioned the Daytona Brush (I prefer the small one) or Wheel Woolies would be great tools to own. Also check into a 1" boars hair detailing brush for the lug nuts and other tight spaces.

Hope this helps,
Drew

[rms64]

Amazing Roll Off works great for cleaning tires IMHO.

Sonax is great stuff for cleaning wheels, if not a bit pricey.

I've been playing around with different tire dressings and still love Meg's Endurance Gel and have found that Optimum tire gel works great too without being over the top shiny.

Good luck and have fun!

[Setec Astronomy]

I don't think I would recommend Wheel Brightener for a noobie. I have never used it but heard it is some nasty stuff.

I always look for a good PH balanced Wheel Cleaner. I use Griots Wheel Cleaner for wheels in good shape and Wolfgang Uber Wheel Cleaner for neglected wheels.

I also discourage WB except in an industrial setting. Not something I would want to have around the house and worry about a spill or broken bottle and the wife and kids getting into it.

Here's a multi-purpose product (tires and wheels) Mothers Mothers Foaming Wheel & Tire Cleaner cleans & maintains coated, painted, polished and anodized wheels without pitting the coating or corroding that a lot of members like. I haven't used it, but it seems to be a similar product to Eagle One A2Z, and both of them are available OTC as well.

Good Tire dressings would be Optimum Opti-Bond / Carpro PERL / Poorboy's World Bold & Bright Gel.

Opti-Bond is such a pleasure to use since it's not greasy, and you can use it on surfaces other than tires, as well.

[van185]

We will probably all have different opinions, but thats becasue AutoGeek carries such a great line of quality products. With that being said the products that I use on almost every detail are, Daytona wheel brushes, Poorboys Spray and Rinse Wheel cleaner, Poorboys Bold and Brigh tire dressing, Tuff Shine Tire Cleaner (amazing stuff), and DP Wheel Wax. All are great products and simple to use.