Looking for a safe but effective wheel cleaner

[Eldorado2k]

The best wheel and tire cleaner I have found. Dilute per instructions.

Flash Brown Royal Non-Acid Wheel & Tire Cleaner

That's what I used to clean the wheels in my pictures. Best stuff and I haven't met a wheel it wasn't safe on. [bare aluminum being the lone exception]

[Joe@NextLevelDetail]

The (very long) store blurb that you linked to doesn't say anywhere that this product is non-acid or pH balanced, and neither does the page at the McKee's site. Realizing that you work for the company, can we consider your statement above an official position? Or is this something that Nick needs to clarify? I'm simply asking because if that's the case it's usually mentioned on the product page. As a comparison, the Wolfgang Uber wheel cleaner states "Wolfgang Über Wheel Cleaner is non-acid and pH neutral"; since I presume Nick wrote the copy for both it would seem he would have included that statement for the M37 product as well.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Autogeekonline mobile app

[Route246]

The (very long) store blurb that you linked to doesn't say anywhere that this product is non-acid or pH balanced, and neither does the page at the McKee's site. Realizing that you work for the company, can we consider your statement above an official position? Or is this something that Nick needs to clarify? I'm simply asking because if that's the case it's usually mentioned on the product page. As a comparison, the Wolfgang Uber wheel cleaner states "Wolfgang Über Wheel Cleaner is non-acid and pH neutral"; since I presume Nick wrote the copy for both it would seem he would have included that statement for the M37 product as well.

From the pdf: "McKee’s 37 Foaming Wheel Cleaner Gel is a VOC compliant and safe on wheels. McKee’s 37 Foaming Wheel Cleaner Gel relies on environmentally friendly advanced surfactants to remove contaminants from the wheel without harming the coating. Overspray from this clearcoat safe product is harmless. In fact, McKee’s 37 Foaming Wheel Cleaner Gel can even be used to remove bugs, tar, and sap from your vehicle’s paint."

While it does not say 'pH neutral' it can be inferred that it may not be 7.0 on the pH scale it is going to be relatively close to make a claim that over-spray is not going to harm coating. There are plenty of pH neutral organic and inorganic solutions that can harm coating so being pH neutral does not mean distilled water in terms of safety.

[Crispy]

That's what I used to clean the wheels in my pictures. Best stuff and I haven't met a wheel it wasn't safe on. [bare aluminum being the lone exception]

I have the very same experience with "Flash".

Got a set of 2001 Grand Prix wheels which looked like they had not been cleaned on the inside since day 1.

They were dark brown (funny same colour as "Flash") and about 3 mm thick.

Did my usual clean method (followed Flash instructions) plus I used a Green Scotchbrite pad to really scrub off the heavy stuff.

When done I could have polished up the barrels to restore shine.

I was paint prepping them, so sandpaper replaced the buffing pad.

I was really surprised how effective the "Flash" removed 16 year old crud.

I've used it for 4-5 years, but mostly on my own car.

[FUNX650]

There are plenty of pH neutral organic
and inorganic solutions that can harm
coating so being pH neutral does not
mean distilled water in terms of safety.

•I somewhat disagree on the part of the
above statement regarding pH neutrality
of organic solutions.


TO WIT:

I.
Isn't the concept of pH, technically, based
on the logarithm of the auto-ionization of
water (i.e., of its equilibrium process)?

II.
Most pH measurement processes
are not extensible to organic solvents.

III.
Most organic solvents are not
conductive, to any appreciable extent
(having large resistivity).



Bob

[Setec Astronomy]

They should really put that info on the web pages.

Does this stuff smell bad like the other iron-eating wheel cleaners?

[vobro]

They should really put that info on the web pages.

Does this stuff smell bad like the other iron-eating wheel cleaners?

Smells like DUB

[Setec Astronomy]

Smells like DUB

That's weird that the bleeding color is red rather than purple like all the others.

[The Guz]

They should really put that info on the web pages.

Does this stuff smell bad like the other iron-eating wheel cleaners?

Smells like DUB

Doesn't have a strong scent compared to other iron wheel cleaners. I found it not only smells better than DUB but also performs better.

That's weird that the bleeding color is red rather than purple like all the others.

It's not that weird once you see it working lol. The nice thing about it is the gel gives it the ability to cling to the surface. It changes color pretty fast too. I like this one along with another that is not sold through here.

[willowcat11]

Effective in what sense? If you're looking to remove etched-in, baked-on brake dust, probably nothing short of an acid is going to work. If you have moderate "dirt", then one of the iron-eating or caustic cleaners should do the trick. And if the wheels are well maintained, then a detergent-type mild cleaner should be fine.

SOLID answer Setec! Thanks for posting!