Meguiars Wheel Brightner Alternatives - what's in your stash

[mikenap]

AMMONIUM BIFLUORIDE



This is the MSDS for ammonium bifluoride, a key ingredient of WB. People shy away from this stuff not because it's dangerous to wheels but because it's dangerous to YOU. ABF is used to etch glass. It can be absorbed through skin and etch bones as well. You need to be very careful with WB, the ABF exposure has a cumulative effect that in many cases won't show up immediately. It is probably one of the strongest cleaners out there, and safe for most wheel finishes, but safe handling is a must.

 

[David Fermani]

I've probably tried 10 different kinds of wheel acid back in the day and every time I kept reaching for Ardex ATTACK HD. Deadly stuff.

 

[Alfisti]

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.

Interesting. Some time ago they changed A2Z to 'All Wheel & Tire Cleaner' - which I haven't tried. Some reported it wasn't as strong as A2Z. Now they seem to have restored the 'A2Z' name by combining it to form 'A2Z All Wheel & Tire Cleaner'.



All three may have been the same product with different names, or they're all different. :nixweiss



All I can state is that the original A2Z in the orange bottle is not available. But as I said, the latest incarnation may be the exact same formula as the orange bottle.

Maybe others who've tried all three can add some info to it.

 

[Alfisti]

BTW, I have this and it's stronger than E1. Very nasty strong, but safe as it's alkaline. When I say "safe" I mean that it won't eat your bones, but it can burn skin if left on, so use with caution - I wear rubber gloves when using wheel cleaners.

 

[wfedwar]

AMMONIUM BIFLUORIDE



This is the MSDS for ammonium bifluoride, a key ingredient of WB. People shy away from this stuff not because it's dangerous to wheels but because it's dangerous to YOU. ABF is used to etch glass. It can be absorbed through skin and etch bones as well. You need to be very careful with WB, the ABF exposure has a cumulative effect that in many cases won't show up immediately. It is probably one of the strongest cleaners out there, and safe for most wheel finishes, but safe handling is a must.

You're right that it's not pleasant stuff. If it's fizzing, you don't want to breathe it. Aren't most wheel cleaners made of HF (or some stabilized form of HF), though?

 

[imported_MBenz]

AMMONIUM BIFLUORIDE



This is the MSDS for ammonium bifluoride, a key ingredient of WB. People shy away from this stuff not because it's dangerous to wheels but because it's dangerous to YOU. ABF is used to etch glass. It can be absorbed through skin and etch bones as well. You need to be very careful with WB, the ABF exposure has a cumulative effect that in many cases won't show up immediately. It is probably one of the strongest cleaners out there, and safe for most wheel finishes, but safe handling is a must.

Thanks for the info. Proper personal precautions are a must for WB.

 

[imported_paintxpert]

I use 3m wheel acid which is very strong so sometimes I water it down. I always use the PRESTA WHEEL AND TIRE CLEANER! Its aNO BRAINER. BenLeoneDetailer. questions always welcome! Moving to the next thread. Be well!!!!!

 

[Alfisti]

Aren't most wheel cleaners made of HF (or some stabilized form of HF), though?

I certainly hope not! :faint:



I find most OTC are not acid-based - they're alkaline-based. So no HF.

 

[CocheseUGA]

I'm going to be mixing up a custom combination sometime soon, and will have to check the results.

 

[pingable]

I STAND corrected. Granted it's been only a week or so, but sealing the wheels does actually help keep them cleaner. It was less *agitation* on my part with my SS mitt and just plain 'old car wash.



I have tons of sealants I use for standby area. Now I have something to use up on my bottle of Sonus Acrylic Sealant..

 

[Alfisti]

Now I have something to use up on my bottle of Sonus Acrylic Sealant..

How have you found the Sonus sealant? Sounds like you don't like it and are using it for secondary roles.

 

[Dsoto87]

I think hes talking about the acrylic glanz.



I dont think the "new" sonus sealant is acrylic based. I think its like 4* UPP and WGDGPS

 

[pingable]

Yes, it's the oldie Sonus product. Before ACC was labeling their products Sonus & or when Sonus was offered by ACC , but not under the ACC umbrella.

 

[Alfisti]

So what's it actually called?