Thought it was about time to clean the alloys on the Octy so went to Halfrauds looking for cleaners.I ended up buying none of them as i didn,t like the sound of the "Warnings" they write on the containers.EG: If splashed on bodywork rinse immediately with cold water

I take it they are all some kind of Acid based chemical? i would rather leave alone.

They only had makes such as CarPlan,Simoniz and Nano ???? all with the same warnings on.

Please help i don,t know which to get now .

Thought it was about time to clean the alloys on the Octy so went to Halfrauds looking for cleaners.I ended up buying none of them as i didn,t like the sound of the "Warnings" they write on the containers.EG: If splashed on bodywork rinse immediately with cold water

I take it they are all some kind of Acid based chemical? i would rather leave alone.

They only had makes such as CarPlan,Simoniz and Nano ???? all with the same warnings on.

Please help i don,t know which to get now .

Depending on how much of a clean is needed will lead you to whether you need something as potent as wonder wheels etc. Me I use tescos daisy APC in an old spray bottle. Used neat, leave only 30secs then agitate with a brush then rinse. This will clean all but the worst and I do this every wash. Do not use WW frequently once or twice a year max as it will dull the alloys and eventually damage the wheel.

Some pics of my cars the van has about 35k on the clock when the pics were taken.

http://img185.imageshack.us/g/img1401gd.jpg/

Edited 5 June, 201016 yr by Mr Bountyfull

Halfords sell the Auto Glym, custom wheel cleaner.

This is an acid free, wheel cleaner.

I think the mer one might also be acid free, but I'd check. Even wonder wheels do a different version of their product which is not acid based.

Asda currently have wonder wheels U (universal cleaner - can be used on damaged and chrome wheels etc) which comes in a spray bottle and comes with a pretty decent brush too; it's normal price is £4 but they are doing a two for £5 offer atm so you can get two of those or get something else; buy the right products and you're quids in!

I was about to make a recommendation for Wonder Wheels too.

I have tried loads of things in the past, most were rubbish, some even stained the alloys (one stained my wifes bright pink). Anyway I got some WW last year and it is fantastic stuff. It's a very strong acid but there is no issue with the length of time you can leave it on the wheels. I wouldnt go with the spray application tbh, would be to worried about over spray. Mine is in a regular bottle, you pour a small amount into the provided plastic pot and dip in the brush. You then aggitate the brush over the alloy which creates a fine foam, honestly there is no issue with splashing as there isnt enough on the brush to splash anywhere. I always wash my wheels first with lots of Fairy Liquid (other brands just as good :p ) to break down the grease, then towel them dry before starting with the WW. When finished I always wash them down again with plenty of detergent (Fairy Liquid).

It can also be used on chrome, for example yesterday I took to my exhuast which was totally black, 90% of it came off after 3 goes with the WW. It's all down to how much patience you have, if I kept with it I would have got more off for sure. Also did my very black, green brake calllipers, the brake dust on there was terrrible and someone had already tried to clean them but were pretty unsuccessful. Just gently brushing through the alloy spokes the difference achieved is fantastic.

I cannot recommend this product enough, yes I was concerned about the strength of the acid and possible damage I might cause, but it really very easy to use so long as you dont go throwing it at your car.

Wheel sealer to complete the clean every time too

Thanks guys for the replies.Now i know which to choose.

Wheel sealer to complete the clean every time too

Or any cheap car polish is good to protect them also

Or any cheap car polish is good to protect them also

Not so.

Application of a standard polish may actually attract brake dust

Get one of these...All very good:

Rim Wax , CG Jet Seal, Poorboys Wheel Sealer ...Autoglym one is very good too and a little cheaper

Not so.

Application of a standard polish may actually attract brake dust

Get one of these...All very good:

Rim Wax , CG Jet Seal, Poorboys Wheel Sealer ...Autoglym one is very good too and a little cheaper

It is not so much the attraction of the dust but it is the seal it makes to stop the dust from sticking to the rim,

Making it simple to clean the wheels when washing.

Trust me, I have been doing this with years and all of my alloys are in as new condition when selling my cars.

I am not saying it is better than the products you suggested,

What I am saying is it is better than not protecting them.

Just wondering,

What is in those products that is not in polish??

It is not so much the attraction of the dust but it is the seal it makes to stop the dust from sticking to the rim,

Making it simple to clean the wheels when washing.

Trust me, I have been doing this with years and all of my alloys are in as new condition when selling my cars.

I have too...and found that products designed to protect alloys work better than conventional polish

I am not saying it is better than the products you suggested,

What I am saying is it is better than not protecting them.

I agree with that

Just wondering,

What is in those products that is not in polish??

They contain ingredients that resist heat and brakedust...Conventional polish doesnt

Good luck with your cleaning.

At the end of the day if it works for you, go for it

Edited 10 June, 201015 yr by ChrisRs

Good luck with your cleaning.

At the end of the day if it works for you, go for it

Works for more than me.

But yes, I do agree and I already did agree..

A specific product alway should work better.

I was only pointing out that for your regular Joe Soap Normal car polish will help to protect your rims.

Not everyone wants to get paranoid about cleaning products and start on the endless trail of perfection.

Works for more than me.

But yes, I do agree and I already did agree..

A specific product alway should work better.

I was only pointing out that for your regular Joe Soap Normal car polish will help to protect your rims.

Not everyone wants to get paranoid about cleaning products and start on the endless trail of perfection.

More and more people do want perfection though.

So in a public forum I would always try to give the 'correct' advice together with three penneth worth of research and experience.

I guess youve had a look on www.detailingworld.com ...They are seriously over the top on there..Paranoid would be a good word as you say...BUT...its a mine of information and advice.

Why not get some wheel sealer and apply one side with regular 'polish' and the other with the sealer?

Could be an interesting thread

More and more people do want perfection though.

So in a public forum I would always try to give the 'correct' advice together with three penneth worth of research and experience.

I guess youve had a look on www.detailingworld.com ...They are seriously over the top on there..Paranoid would be a good word as you say...BUT...its a mine of information and advice.

Why not get some wheel sealer and apply one side with regular 'polish' and the other with the sealer?

Could be an interesting thread

Trust me,

I have been cleaning my cars personally with the past 33 years.

When I get my vRS I am going to be one of those paranoid people

I fully intend getting some PB wheel sealer.

BUT

On saying that, The main reason I did suggest the OP used polish is that Inoticed he was going to Halfrauds for cleaning goodies.

Personally I would never use anything with acid or whatnot in them.

I just wash them and polish them.

They are still as they were the day I bought the car ( Feb 2008 )

I did not see anywhere in his post that he was looking to go into the never ending search for perfectionism

This is why I offered a cheap and convenient alternative to specialised products.

As I already said

B rub of polish is better than nothing.

Thanks to you both ChrisRS and Vectra1 for your good advice.

As of yet due to my work i haven,t cleaned them but will not be using the cleaners i found in Halfrauds except of course others that have been mentioned.The Octy is only 3 years old and the wheels are like new with no scratches etc iam just a bit lazy to always clean them so they have built up with muck a bit but shouldn,t be a problem cleaning them up.

Deleted(double post)

Edited 11 June, 201015 yr by Stormchaser

Billbery wheel cleaner

Why not try SKODA WHEEL CLEANING GEL available in an applicator bottle from your local Skoda Dealership

I've used it regularly, it works well.

Skoda would hardly sell a product which would damage in any way the alloys of its own vehicles!

Billbery wheel cleaner

+1

Best wheel cleaner I've used

Thanks guys for the replies.Now i know which to choose.

Be careful with Wonder Wheels if that's your product choice, it can make a right mess of certain wheels........... :S

I guess youve had a look on www.detailingworld.com ...They are seriously over the top on there..Paranoid would be a good word as you say...BUT...its a mine of information and advice.

+1

Best wheel cleaner I've used

Shame it's just not safe for 'polished' wheels................... :no:

really? :'( i thought Billberry was safe on all wheel types :no:

really? :'( i thought Billberry was safe on all wheel types :no:

Afraid so mate, always read the labels.............