Review: Autoglym Acid-Free Wheel Cleaner

tom p. said:
After using the Autoglym wheel cleaner for a couple years, I have to categorize it as "outstanding". This is the strongest endorsement I could ever offer. I can't think of many other products I like as much :)



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Hey Tom: as you know, I agree 100%. My only problem is I coat almost every wheel I come across which makes AG CWC not as crucial of a chemical... Good problem to have that's for sure. But, when I do need a wheel cleaner I reach for this 1st!
 
Tom P.- Gee, that's some recommendation! Are you using it straight or diluted?



I'm guessing that OptiCoat/etc. can easily withstand this product; if I'm wrong, somebody say so.
 
Tom, u know I agree completely. Love trying new stuff but when it comes to wheel cleaner - never u mind. It's AG or nothing. There's nothing I've tried that even comes close to this product. Outstanding is how I would describe it as well. It's in a class by itself.
 
Accumulator said:
Tom P.- Gee, that's some recommendation! Are you using it straight or diluted?



I'm guessing that OptiCoat/etc. can easily withstand this product; if I'm wrong, somebody say so.
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I've been using this in my shop for around 5 or 6 years and love it. What makes it so good is its ability to clean tires as well as it cleans wheels. If you wash your car regularly, then diluting 1:1 should be good for you. As for Opti Coat, yes it will withstand it no problem.
 
I use it regularly on bad brake-dust wheels, like on ALL German cars. Works great and well priced in bulk. Sometimes I dilute it 1:1.



Otherwise, I use FK Sparkle. Enviro-friendly, low irritant and economical.



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Accumulator said:
Tom P.- Gee, that's some recommendation! Are you using it straight or diluted?



I'm guessing that OptiCoat/etc. can easily withstand this product; if I'm wrong, somebody say so.
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I use it @ 100%. This stuff really foams up and has great cleaning power in its original strength.



Opticoat: I need to look at this a bit more, but I noticed last weekend that the coating appears to be greatly diminished on this set of wheels and I don't think it's my imagination. The beading is almost gone :( I can't blame it on the AG wheel cleaner cuz I've been trying to use up my Griot's product and haven't even been using the AG wheel cleaner for a number of months. I started using the AG wheel cleaner again a couple weeks ago just to compare it to the Griot's and the AG wheel cleaner outperforms the Griot's in every area I can think of apart from general availability.



I'll see if I can grab a foto of the beading this afternoon.
 
David Fermani said:
Good to know that after 2 years you're still using and loving this product.
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Yeah, it's nice to find such an exceptional product. People always ask "what did you use on my wheels!!??". It's that noticeable.
 
stotte20 said:
where is a good place to purchase this wheel cleaner? thanks
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I've only ordered from Radiant Auto Supply...their contact info is in the first page of this thread. They're located in Nashville.



It does appear they (Autoglym) do an excellent job of keeping this product a secret in the USA. I don't know of any traditional retail biz that has it. I've noticed that TCP Global is now advertising their products, but I can't find the wheel cleaner on their website...lots of other AG product, though. (I think I noticed them on eBay, too.) This "acid-free" wheel cleaner is sold under another AG name when it's packaged for the end consumer. I don't recall the name but it might be their "custom wheel cleaner". It may be worth a call to TCP Global to see if they have any of the wheel cleaners from AG. I believe AG produces just two versions of wheel cleaner.



Radiant is re-packaging the wheel cleaner I buy and I don't think you can purchase the 5L size any longer. They're re-packing into 1 US gallon sizes...also have reduced the price a bit.



Charlene sent me a 1-hr long video with my 5 year supply of the wheel cleaner. The video is done by AG and has a couple of locals valeting (complete re-con by hand) a very tired and disgusting 5-series wagon. The video is called "How Clean is Your Car?" and has the two lads demo-ing many of the products from the AG consumer line. They use the AG glass polish which looks very good and is another product I'm going to try. I've heard good things about it elsewhere and I believe I see it at the TCP Global website: Autoglym Premium Auto Care, Exterior



I know you can email the folks at AG-UK if you have questions on their products or need assistance trying to identify which product is which (retail product vs. pro line product). I hear they are most repsonsive and helpful. I believe Radiant has much of the AG product line and I've purchased the Super Resin Polish along with my wheel cleaner from them.
 
tom p. said:
This "acid-free" wheel cleaner is sold under another AG name when it's packaged for the end consumer. I don't recall the name but it might be their "custom wheel cleaner".
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Accumulator said:
Hmmm...sounds like "YMMV" with regard to how this affects/not OptiCoat :think:
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In all honesty, if your wheels are Opti Coated, why are you using anything other than soap and water?
 
detailfanatic said:
In all honesty, if your wheels are Opti Coated, why are you using anything other than soap and water?
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I've tried traditional soap and water but keep coming back to a proper wheel cleaner as it leaves that bright, beautiful appearance that the car shampoos don't, IME.
 
detailfanatic said:
In all honesty, if your wheels are Opti Coated, why are you using anything other than soap and water?
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-AND-



tom p said:
I've tried traditional soap and water but keep coming back to a proper wheel cleaner as it leaves that bright, beautiful appearance that the car shampoos don't, IME.
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That's been my experience as well, though the diff isn't *so* pronounced that I use the wheel cleaner all that often (maybe I'm just not being all that Autopian about it ;) ).
 
tom p. said:
I've tried traditional soap and water but keep coming back to a proper wheel cleaner as it leaves that bright, beautiful appearance that the car shampoos don't, IME.
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I agree that the CWC leaves a great look on the wheels. Have you tried diluting down even more to see if it will still leave that gloss on the wheels?
 
I find it dries too quickly and can re-deposit stuff back on the surface when cut 1:1. The stuff works great (for me) @ 100% strength and I'm using minimal amounts from a mister applicator.
 
tom p. said:
Paul, thanks for posting that. I gather it's the consmer version. I see it at Amazon for around $US19 for 500mL.
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The popularity of the AG consumer line is HUGE in Australia - as big as Meguiars.



The 500ml bottle retails about $17 here. Still too expensive. I buy the pro version Autoglym Acid-Free Wheel Cleaner (same product) for about $40 for 5L. The 20L tub is about $150.
 
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