Best alloy wheel cleaner

weekaizer

So I have a set of corolla alloys that I honestly believe haven’t been cleaned in 10 years +
I have tried numerous different cleaners to try and get the ingrained brake dust off them but not having much joy.
What I have tried so far...
Car pro iron x (left to dwell few minutes and power washed off)
Bilt Hamber auto wheel cleaner
Wonder wheels (using toothbrush)
Vinegar and baking soda (well rinsed after!)
Steel wool

Although I have improved the overal look of the rims there is really deep rooted dirt affixed to the rims especially where the spokes meet the rim.
I’m not looking to clean the barrel of the rims but just the face.

Is there any product or techique that I could try?.

georgefalls

By the time you've spent a shed load on chemicals, and ruined the environment , you'd probably be better off getting them refurbed.

That's the only sure way to get a decent finish at this stage.

Curran

Unfortunately you've been choosing the wrong products for the task at hand...
Car pro iron x (left to dwell few minutes and power washed off) - its a fallout remover, not a wheel cleaner
Bilt Hamber auto wheel cleaner - should have had a bit more joy with this over IronX but its a safe wheel cleaner with fallout remover within it
Wonder wheels (using toothbrush) - average at best
Vinegar and baking soda (well rinsed after!) - life hacks rarely work as well as dedicated products
Steel wool - seriously??


What you need here is actually something that isn't recommended from regular wash perspective. You need a strong acidic cleaner. Not to be used frequently but fine to use on the odd occasion, such as you find yourself in at the moment. Prolonged use would result in degradation of wheel finish, centre caps, etc. Something like KKD Devil's Juice, diluted down, try it. If it doesnt work, add more concentrate. Once you have the wheels right, shelve that and use something like the KKD Brake Away as your regular wheel cleaner...and wash them fairly regularly. The secret is to not let them to get into such a state. Every 3rd or 4th wash, then use something like IronX or Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel after you've used Brake Away - this removes the fallout, and keeps on top of contamination build up, and the wheels in tip top shape.

If you're wheels are a bit tatty anyways, a refurb might be a wiser option. Saving the wheels with an acidic cleaner, the hassle, and to be left with tatty wheels, now would be an ideal time to refurb them.

weekaizer

Curran wrote: »

Unfortunately you've been choosing the wrong products for the task at hand...
Car pro iron x (left to dwell few minutes and power washed off) - its a fallout remover, not a wheel cleaner
Bilt Hamber auto wheel cleaner - should have had a bit more joy with this over IronX but its a safe wheel cleaner with fallout remover within it
Wonder wheels (using toothbrush) - average at best
Vinegar and baking soda (well rinsed after!) - life hacks rarely work as well as dedicated products
Steel wool - seriously??


What you need here is actually something that isn't recommended from regular wash perspective. You need a strong acidic cleaner. Not to be used frequently but fine to use on the odd occasion, such as you find yourself in at the moment. Prolonged use would result in degradation of wheel finish, centre caps, etc. Something like KKD Devil's Juice, diluted down, try it. If it doesnt work, add more concentrate. Once you have the wheels right, shelve that and use something like the KKD Brake Away as your regular wheel cleaner...and wash them fairly regularly. The secret is to not let them to get into such a state. Every 3rd or 4th wash, then use something like IronX or Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel after you've used Brake Away - this removes the fallout, and keeps on top of contamination build up, and the wheels in tip top shape.

If you're wheels are a bit tatty anyways, a refurb might be a wiser option. Saving the wheels with an acidic cleaner, the hassle, and to be left with tatty wheels, now would be an ideal time to refurb them.

The wheels are on a 05 corolla so not really looking to spend large on refurbs but I’ll definately look up the devils juice! Someone mentioned meguiars wheel brightener to me today. Would it be acidic in any way!? Thanks.

weekaizer

Prolonged use would result in degradation of wheel finish, centre caps, etc. Something like KKD Devil's Juice, diluted down, try it.

Any idea where I can buy this devils juice?!
Can’t find it on detailing shed.

Curran

Contact 'Polish Technologies Ireland'; they are the distributors of KKD in Ireland.

Would suggest you only use it to get the wheels back to normal, and after that using a less harsh cleaner. Remove centre caps when using the Devils Juice, but fine to leave in place when using a milder wheel cleaner for regular washes