Meguiars Wheel Brightner Alternatives - what's in your stash

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pingable

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I want to add a strong brake cleaner to my stash. Not something I will use often....but something that will be in my stash.



Meguiars Wheel Brighnter seems to be the obvious choice.



Just curious what other acid based cleaners you would consider on your ~shelf~.



I have plenty of APC, P21S and Citri Gel to last me a lifetime. My steamer is currently my *chemical* when I need something to get that brake dust off.
 
chefwong- I have the potent wheel cleaner from the TOL/Hi-Temp line...forget the name, maybe "Wheel Wash" or something like that. They say it's non-acidic but, uhm...that's not accurate IMO.



It's not *super* potent so I dunno if it'd replace Wheel Brightener, but it *is* strong enough to cloud aluminum wheels if their finish is compromised and I make sure to neutralize it with something aklaline as opposed to just rinsing it off.
 
I was just on ProperAutoCare site ;-)

EF is a old standby brand I used to use alot before all these buzzwords like Optimum, etc came onboard. PAC used to be my main source for goods. I recall the old E1 stuff as well...



And the steamers actually will work as my *acid* but I'm a lazy sunnvabitch at times and don't want to fire up the old kicker and let her boil up :-)



These HP pads are just killing me on some wheels I have let go neglected...

My workdays have been very long....
 
chefwong said:
I was just on ProperAutoCare site ;-)

EF is a old standby brand I used to use alot before all these buzzwords like Optimum, etc came onboard. PAC used to be my main source for goods. I recall the old E1 stuff as well...
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Yeah, EFHI is still my fave APC, and the old Eagle1 A-2-Z Wheel Cleaner was pretty potent.





And the steamers actually will work as my *acid* but I'm a lazy sunnvabitch at times and don't want to fire up the old kicker and let her boil up :-)
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Heh heh, I know exactly what you mean ;)



These HP pads are just killing me on some wheels I have let go neglected...
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Yeah, I do some regular ONR/FK425 cleanups of some of my wheels as the pads just dust *so* terribly, but I always end up causing a little marring that way so I only do it on the vehicles I'm not (completely) nuts about.
 
This strongest acid bases wheel cleaner I have ever used is Ardex buster. Its a super thick gel that smells a bit nasty and will make you cough up a storm if you take a good whiff of it. I can say it is easily 10x times stronger than Megs WB.
 
I have been using Detail King's "Brake-Up Wheel Brightener", and it works wonders on caked on grime. I apply it with a foaming spray bottle and let it soak for about 45 seconds and the grime just drips right off...then I go over it with an EZ brush or detail brush. It requires very little effort.
 
Hi Paul -



Consider me the OCD nut. I will replace parts on my cars just to keep them *new*. My general wash regimen on my wheels is every 2-3 days depending on what I am driving.



I have let most of them go neglected a bit......been really busy lately. Granted I have given them a wash , etc but it has gotten to the point where I need a stronger cleaner and or I *fire up the steamer* . This is only for certain areas of the wheels like the recess nooks of my multi-spoke wheels that have brake dust embeeded. The 5 spokes are not that bad...





So yes, I do have the tools already in my stash to clean this up.



I'm just looking to purchase/add another chemical to my stash that is stronger than what I have to add to my *wheel cleaning chemicals*, which is P21S, Citrigel, car wash soap, and the 5 various assorted APC bottles I have in different cuts.
 
The two strongest wheel cleaners I possess are E1 A2Z (now discontinued) and Black Magic. I thought A2Z was strong until I tried Black Magic. I'm not sure anyone would need anything stronger than these for 99% of the worst wheels. They're both alkaline based.



I tend to avoid acid-based cleaners because I find they don't work any better than alkaline-based and unless some (like WB) contain Hydrofluoric Acid. :nervous2:



BTW, I believe Black Magic use to contain Ammonium Bifluoride - another doozy! :faint:
 
I'm not the most paranoid person when it comes to such stuff, but I sure hope people take the proper precautions with these potent products. I mean...sheesh...imagine having serious health problems because you cleaned your car.
 
Well if your looking specifically for an acid based cleaner, than whats wrong with wheel brightner? Its like $15 a gallon so it aint gonna be hurting your wallet...



Why are you looking for an alternative for it?
 
DSOTO -



It's not the pricepoint. I was just checking to see if there was anything else on the market that was a cut level down in harshness than WB.



My wheels are not neglected but due to HP pads and my non upkeep on them recently, there is just some stubborn spots...that well, are being stubborn.
 
chefwong said:
It's not the pricepoint. I was just checking to see if there was anything else on the market that was a cut level down in harshness than WB.
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Of course there is. It's diluted Wheel Brightener! :LOLOL
 
Don't really need a harsh product in my stash but I guess I do .....

Picked up the BlackMagic (easily available local) yesterday as steamer was not cutting it and it was the only time I could deal with the wheels...clay was not cutting it. And it's just minor embedded spots in a crevice or two but it's a multispoke wheel.



I must have let BM dwell, scrub with wheel brush, dwell, scrub and it barely made a dent....



I guess the next time I order stuff, WB will be on the order. I'm trying to cut down of products and find myself...like the OCD that we are...adding more stuff to the shelf.
 
P21s Red, very effective cleaner with out the acid so if you need a effective cleaner for regular use this it.



I would seal up my Toyota Motorsport wheels but the brake dust would just get so thick that after a while, as themiles clocked up between those weekly, 10 day cleans that i would get stuff that got thru the sealant.



The once a year acid based wheel cleaner never did much harm to any of my cars, its just regular use when it can become a problem.
 
steelwind101 said:
P21s Red, very effective cleaner with out the acid so if you need a effective cleaner for regular use this it.
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I don't think that's available in the US.



Why do people feel like WB is such a strong cleaner? It's effective, but not super strong or noxious. A2Z is much more irritating to me. I only use WB at 4:1 dilution, which I thought was the recommended dilution. When people say its super strong, are they refering to full strength?
 
What's wrong with good old Wheel Brightener? When I'm working on wheels that are caked in brake dust and are clear coated, I wouldn't think using anything but WB. I would highly recommend it if you have wheels that are appropriate to use it on.
 
The E1 A2Z is a great wheel cleaner. Not as strong as WB but good for regular use.



Alfisti: How do know it is discontinued? It is still on Eagle one's website and i still see it in stores here.



I would almost recommend WB for regular use. I can spray it on my very hard to clean basket-weave wheels, let it dwell and power wash the wheels clean. Easy and hassle free. I am hesitant to use it often though, as some say that it is harmful to wheels with regular use. If anybody knows about the result of long term WB use, please speak up.
 
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