Looking for a safe but effective wheel cleaner

[JChastain]

I need one that's safe for powdercoat and all the other finishes. Needs to be effective also of course. Thanks for the feedback

[Setec Astronomy]

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.

[JChastain]

Is there any specific brand that's best? I meant effective as in it actually works. But I don't want it to compromise the wheels finish either...

[Setec Astronomy]

Again, rather than brand, I think you need to think in categories...of which I can think of 4:

1. Acid
2. Caustic
3. Iron Eating
4. Detergent

Acids are the most effective at dissolving contaminants, and are usually safe for wheel finishes (except bare, depending) if rinsed properly.
Caustics can be good, sometimes can be harsh on finishes.
Iron eating is pretty effective on brake dust, but it depends, and they smell terrible. I sometimes thing the cool color-change makes people think these work better than they do.
Detergent is very mild and safe and not very effective except with agitation and on well maintained wheels.

If you want some brand names, here you go, and I expect a whole bunch of conflicting feedback shortly:

Acid: AFAIK, there are no acid wheel cleaners sold here that have an acid package I would consider safe for you to use in your driveway. Oh, except maybe the McKee's Foaming Wheel Cleaner Gel which may have salicylic acid in it.

Caustic: Mothers Foaming Wheel and Tire Cleaner comes to mind

Iron-eating: I haven't tried all of them, but one I like is Griot's Heavy Duty

Detergent: The classic P21S liquid or gel, and Griot's Wheel Cleaner

[EWtheDETAILER]

Try Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner - SONAX Wheel Cleaner, all wheel cleaner, chrome wheel cleaner, aluminum wheel cleaner, full effect wheel cleaner

This wheel cleaner is safe on all wheels and still a very strong and effective cleaner.

[Cliffnopus]

+1 for Sonax.

[Eldorado2k]

I thought powder coat was supposed to be tough as nails? What's the big deal? Just take your typical high alkaline wheel cleaner and go at it.

[JChastain]

I thought powder coat was supposed to be tough as nails? What's the big deal? Just take your typical high alkaline wheel cleaner and go at it.

Looks good. Do you use a brush also with the cleaner?

[Joe@NextLevelDetail]

I need one that's safe for powdercoat and all the other finishes. Needs to be effective also of course. Thanks for the feedback

McKee's 37 Foaming Wheel Cleaner Gel - Non acidic, and pH balanced. very strong effective wheel cleaner yet still safe. a great value as well.

A gallon is only 42.99 before sales.

[Eldorado2k]

Looks good. Do you use a brush also with the cleaner?

Yea, my trusty wheel brush that I get @the 99cent only store. [it looks like the Mothers Wheel Brush] but I bearly needed to do any scrubbing.