Alloy wheel cleaner

eccleshill · 09-05-2008, 09:27

Finally got round to giving my Octavia a good spring clean after a winter of splash and dash washes to just get the worst off. The wheels are still looking a little grimey in the corners.
This is the first car I have had with alloy wheels and I am after a good product to get them clean and sparkling again.
Autoexpress recommends Carplan Wonder Wheels but it carries a whole load of warnings not to use it on unlacquered wheels.
I have the standard Elegance 16" Vega wheels - are these wheels lacquered? Has anyone used this stuff? Is it any good? Any better recommendations?
Also any recommendations for keeping them looking good?

Staedtler · 09-05-2008, 09:32

I've used Wonder Wheels on my Pegasus 17" alloys to great effect, the only thing it struggled on was some tar. After washing it off, I gave the alloys a coating of some normal car body paint wax to help stop anything sticking to them in the future.

cheezemonkhai · 09-05-2008, 10:47

Get a 60-70p bottle of stardrops and a cheap sprayer bottle (£1)

Make up strong solution (4:1) and get an old soft toothbrush or similar.

I've not found anything that can stand up to that and unlike wonder wheels it isn't acidic.

Once you're done rinse it off well with a shampoo.

You can dilute any solution you have left to 10:1 and use for general household cleaning or use it in a bucket on floors

I use this on the Vega wheels and it works a treat.

I have some wonder wheels but it is really really aggressive and these days it is only used when nothing else works or on steel wheels.

PSM · 09-05-2008, 10:57

I have used wonder wheels to great effect before. Although I would not recommend it for everyday use due to it being a bit aggressive (but very good to remove subborn dirt occasionally). I now wax my wheels (with the same wax I use on the paintwork) after each clean and this has greatly reduced the amount of cleaning I have to do since the dirt does not stick like it used to. Now a wipe with a wet and soapy sponge removes all the dirt.

Tom_vRS · 09-05-2008, 11:18

Thread moved to Styling and Car Care

Johnny50 · 09-05-2008, 12:16

Stardrops gets my vote for wheels too.

gillywibble · 09-05-2008, 13:26

Autobrite non acidic wheel cleaner. Awesome stuff.

I also use Megs wheel brightener, diluted up to 10:1.

Baker21 · 10-05-2008, 00:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by gillywibble

I also use Megs wheel brightener, diluted up to 10:1.

IMHO this is one of the best Wheel Cleaning products on the market...........

fabtdi · 10-05-2008, 09:43

I use AG Motorcycle Cleaner, brilliant to use on my Vrs alloys, just spray directly onto a brush and it lasts for ages.

jasc1988 · 10-05-2008, 09:59

I have used Wonder Wheels to great effect, good for that little boost

skudmissile · 10-05-2008, 12:15

i just jet wash mine.

The surface is so smooth on my powder coated wheels the brake dust just rinses off.

have used wonder wheels in the past....... one thing i learnt was dont get it in your eyes.... it smarts a little

jasc1988 · 10-05-2008, 12:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by skudmissile

i just jet wash mine.

The surface is so smooth on my powder coated wheels the brake dust just rinses off.

have used wonder wheels in the past....... one thing i learnt was dont get it in your eyes.... it smarts a little

Or cuts

RichB86 · 10-05-2008, 22:31

ive started using wheel brightener and really impressed with it atm. smells good to!

Baker21 · 10-05-2008, 22:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichB86

ive started using wheel brightener and really impressed with it atm. smells good to!

Lummox · 10-05-2008, 22:57

Pah paint em matt black. No need to clean them then.

matt@theforce · 10-05-2008, 23:08

I used AutoGlyms Alloy wheel cleaner on SWMBO's fabia last week and I've never seen them so clean.

DJM123 · 11-05-2008, 12:36

Is the Megs stuff v.acidic? I have the usual black tar in the corners by the spokes and cant seem to shift them with anything. Have used wonder wheels before but as said above found it to be v. aggressive and sore on my eyes!

Baker21 · 11-05-2008, 14:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM123

Is the Megs stuff v.acidic? I have the usual black tar in the corners by the spokes and cant seem to shift them with anything. Have used wonder wheels before but as said above found it to be v. aggressive and sore on my eyes!

You can dilute the Megs Wheel Brightner as to how you see fit but if you want rid of tar then I would recommend investing in some AS Tardis............

turnerswfc · 11-05-2008, 16:31

I've been using wonder wheels and rate it. Though I think i'll be giving the megs wheel brightener a go in the near future.

tdirob · 11-05-2008, 16:33

is megs wheel brightener available in small bottles? I've only seen the 5L bottles on elitecarcare and I don't think I'll need that much...

09-05-2008, 09:27	#1
eccleshill Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Leeds Posts: 76 Thanks: 6 Thanked 11 Times in 5 Posts	Alloy wheel cleaner Finally got round to giving my Octavia a good spring clean after a winter of splash and dash washes to just get the worst off. The wheels are still looking a little grimey in the corners. This is the first car I have had with alloy wheels and I am after a good product to get them clean and sparkling again. Autoexpress recommends Carplan Wonder Wheels but it carries a whole load of warnings not to use it on unlacquered wheels. I have the standard Elegance 16" Vega wheels - are these wheels lacquered? Has anyone used this stuff? Is it any good? Any better recommendations? Also any recommendations for keeping them looking good?

09-05-2008, 09:32	#2
Staedtler Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 25 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Alloy wheel cleaner I've used Wonder Wheels on my Pegasus 17" alloys to great effect, the only thing it struggled on was some tar. After washing it off, I gave the alloys a coating of some normal car body paint wax to help stop anything sticking to them in the future.

09-05-2008, 10:47	#3
cheezemonkhai Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 13,146 Thanks: 60 Thanked 306 Times in 282 Posts	Re: Alloy wheel cleaner Get a 60-70p bottle of stardrops and a cheap sprayer bottle (£1) Make up strong solution (4:1) and get an old soft toothbrush or similar. I've not found anything that can stand up to that and unlike wonder wheels it isn't acidic. Once you're done rinse it off well with a shampoo. You can dilute any solution you have left to 10:1 and use for general household cleaning or use it in a bucket on floors I use this on the Vega wheels and it works a treat. I have some wonder wheels but it is really really aggressive and these days it is only used when nothing else works or on steel wheels. __________________ Cars make CO2 and trees absorb CO2. By driving your car you're feeding a tree and helping the environment.

09-05-2008, 10:57	#4
PSM Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 151 Thanks: 4 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Alloy wheel cleaner I have used wonder wheels to great effect before. Although I would not recommend it for everyday use due to it being a bit aggressive (but very good to remove subborn dirt occasionally). I now wax my wheels (with the same wax I use on the paintwork) after each clean and this has greatly reduced the amount of cleaning I have to do since the dirt does not stick like it used to. Now a wipe with a wet and soapy sponge removes all the dirt.

09-05-2008, 11:18	#5
Tom_vRS Briskodaholic Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Fenland, Cambridgeshire Posts: 10,540 Thanks: 528 Thanked 340 Times in 233 Posts	Re: Alloy wheel cleaner Thread moved to Styling and Car Care __________________ 99/S Ford Mondeo Ghia-X 2.5 V6 in silver. 112k miles

09-05-2008, 12:16	#6
Johnny50 Johnny Bravo Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 4,470 Thanks: 162 Thanked 118 Times in 115 Posts	Re: Alloy wheel cleaner Stardrops gets my vote for wheels too.

09-05-2008, 13:26	#7
gillywibble Cuthbert Dibble Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Watching Tom peeping at Lady Godiva. Posts: 5,088 Thanks: 199 Thanked 168 Times in 133 Posts	Re: Alloy wheel cleaner Autobrite non acidic wheel cleaner. Awesome stuff. I also use Megs wheel brightener, diluted up to 10:1. __________________ I drink, therefore I spam.

10-05-2008, 09:43	#9
fabtdi Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 118 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Alloy wheel cleaner I use AG Motorcycle Cleaner, brilliant to use on my Vrs alloys, just spray directly onto a brush and it lasts for ages.

10-05-2008, 09:59	#10
jasc1988 Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Dumfries & Galloway Posts: 2,222 Thanks: 70 Thanked 85 Times in 82 Posts	Re: Alloy wheel cleaner I have used Wonder Wheels to great effect, good for that little boost __________________ 173.5 bhp ... Czech Mate

10-05-2008, 12:15	#11
skudmissile Yes it is! Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,924 Thanks: 379 Thanked 166 Times in 150 Posts	Re: Alloy wheel cleaner i just jet wash mine. The surface is so smooth on my powder coated wheels the brake dust just rinses off. have used wonder wheels in the past....... one thing i learnt was dont get it in your eyes.... it smarts a little __________________ 226bhp + 382lbft Fabia vRS + Stage 2 hybrid now on lowered suspension goes like a missile

10-05-2008, 22:31	#13
RichB86 Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 719 Thanks: 33 Thanked 23 Times in 22 Posts	Re: Alloy wheel cleaner ive started using wheel brightener and really impressed with it atm. smells good to! __________________ Must Go Faster

10-05-2008, 22:57	#15
Lummox Hairy Yeti Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Newport Pagnell Posts: 20,536 Thanks: 15 Thanked 443 Times in 404 Posts	Re: Alloy wheel cleaner Pah paint em matt black. No need to clean them then. __________________ 1988 Golf GTi - Made up of MK2, MK3 and MK4 Golf and Corrado parts also bits of Audi TT and even Ibiza Cupra. Truly a VAG car indeed.

10-05-2008, 23:08	#16
matt@theforce Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Durkar Posts: 1,318 Thanks: 25 Thanked 37 Times in 33 Posts	Re: Alloy wheel cleaner I used AutoGlyms Alloy wheel cleaner on SWMBO's fabia last week and I've never seen them so clean. __________________ Mods : Pipercross Panel Filter, Sony Coaxils, vrs Dash Trim, Briskoda Sticker, Magic Tree, Pikey air vent, vRS Wing Repeaters, 312mm brakes, Jabba Remap + Soot stealth , Sachs Organic Clutch, KW Sports Suspension Kit + Powerflex poly bushes, Golf front Aero wipers, Lupo rear Aero wiper, tinted mirrors Support Briskoda Join FREEDOM >>> <<<

11-05-2008, 12:36	#17
DJM123 Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sevenoaks Posts: 97 Thanks: 9 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Alloy wheel cleaner Is the Megs stuff v.acidic? I have the usual black tar in the corners by the spokes and cant seem to shift them with anything. Have used wonder wheels before but as said above found it to be v. aggressive and sore on my eyes!

11-05-2008, 16:31	#19
turnerswfc Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sheffield Posts: 99 Thanks: 2 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Alloy wheel cleaner I've been using wonder wheels and rate it. Though I think i'll be giving the megs wheel brightener a go in the near future. __________________ Standard 07 Fabia VRS in Corrida Red......Bought 19/04/08 and lovin' it!!!! Just finding my feet with it at the mo.

11-05-2008, 16:33	#20
tdirob Confused! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wrexham Posts: 1,112 Thanks: 17 Thanked 28 Times in 28 Posts	Re: Alloy wheel cleaner is megs wheel brightener available in small bottles? I've only seen the 5L bottles on elitecarcare and I don't think I'll need that much... __________________ Golf GT TDI - Standard (at the minute)

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