Can't decide on wheel cleaner

R

RToth

New member
Basically I am looking at Megs wheel brightener or Poor Boys Spray & Rinse for cars that haven't been worked on in years or ever.



My question is that I have heard that the PB S&W is a citric acid base and I am wondering if that is any safer for my health and rim finish then the Megs WB?



I am not looking to use this as my every day cleaner, just for the REALLY dirty neglected wheels.
 
I just tried out P21s for the first time today. Unfortunately i did not use it on my wheels but a rusty exhaust system. Very powerful stuff! Cleaned away all the grime on my tips and even some of the rust and most of the soot! I was very impressed. Should work well on rims.



DG
 
ok, so back to my original question...



also, does anyone know for sure then if PB S&W is abf or citric acid?
 
crash93ssei said:
ok, so back to my original question...



also, does anyone know for sure then if PB S&W is abf or citric acid?
Click to expand...



This post: http://autopia.org/forum/car-detail...-mispackaged-4.html?highlight=acid#post741736 pastes the text of a 2005 MSDS indicating that SnR contains ABF (listed there as Ammonium Dihydrogen Fluoride). Lots of static in that thread.



FWIW another supplier frequently mentioned on this forum sells an "acid free" wheel cleaner, that when I pressed for the active ingredient, was told that it was ABF. Apparently because ABF doesn't end in the word "acid", like "hydroflouric acid", sellers think they can claim their product is "acid free", which is a bit disingenious.
 
hmmm, so then it seems that PB S&R is NOT citric acid based then, and basically just as dangerous as the Megs WB.



So, probably neither of these would be a good idea to use outside in the driveway then..



Thanks for the info Setec
 
That was an old thread, it's possible that SnR has been changed to citric acid.



The problem, as I see it, is brake dust is mostly metal. Once it's attached, the "best" way to remove it is to dissolve it with acid. The HF/ABF cleaners quickly dissolve it. The "safer" acids (Hydrochloric, phosphoric, muriatic, oxalic, dicarbolic(?) ) need to dwell and perhaps be agitated--I've had some decent success with decon acid on wheels. The remaining acids (acetic, citric) seem to be less effective.



Likely some of the issues involved are the relative actions of the individual acids vs. paint and aluminum (you want to dissolve the brake dust before the paint or the wheel). What I mean by that is that a high concentration of citric acid might do very well against brake dust but it might dissolve the wheel, too...so it gets diluted down and doesn't work so well on the brake dust.
 
Yeah, I don't mind having to agitate at all, I just don't want to spend hours scrubbing... I may try to contact Poor Boys and see what they say the product is based on.



Thanks again
 
I use MWB because of cost and effectiveness. may not be the safest but I just they assume you'll take proper precautions when using, which why wouldn't you.
 
crash93ssei said:
Yeah, I don't mind having to agitate at all, I just don't want to spend hours scrubbing... I may try to contact Poor Boys and see what they say the product is based on.



Thanks again
Click to expand...
Report back on what Steve tells you. I'd also be curious if they have changed the formula since it first came out. I have an early bottle of the stuff that I've never had to use yet.
 
I use the European-formula 1Z Felgen Reiniger, which is acid-based and powerful, and I've never had any problems with it. It's also far more effective than the U.S. version, which is alkaline.



I also use engine degreaser on really dirty wheels.
 
Well, I fired off an email to Poorboys World and here is what Steve says --



Steve@Poorboys World said:
Hi Ryan,



Spray & Rinse uses ABF and is generally safe for the user if precautions and care are taken during use.

It will not harm clearcoats, plastics, or chrome platings. It will dull an uncoated polished rim while cleaning it.

Most people only use it full strength if their wheels are in poor condition. People with hard to clean wheels will usually use Wheel Sealant after cleaning and polishing and not need the S&R after the initial cleaning.

Some with just hard to clean wheels, will use it diluted as their maintenance without any harm to the wheels.

--

Steve

Poorboy's World Products

poorboysworld.com = site

poorboysworld.net :: Index = forum
Click to expand...





Guess that answeres my question then, you guys were right... ABF, not citric acid. Thanks for the help guys:D
 
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