Ive just bought wonder wheels cleaner and there are no instructions provided. All i have is the fluid, a dispenser lid and a brush. Someone please tell me how im supposed to use this?

Am i supposed to wash the wheels down first with a sponge and water or do i brush it straight on?

What is the dispenser lid for=mixing what?

right, the lid is for holding the liquid in while you use the brush to apply it to the wheels... i found best results by blasting the wheels with a hose / pressure washer to get the real heavy **** off first, then covering them in the solution (which you use neat). Leave it to soak in for a few minutes (usually about the time it take you to do the next wheel). then with hot soapy water sponge the wheel down and make sure ALL the solution is washed away.

I wouldnt advise using Wonder Wheels on rims that have flaked or bubbled paint, i've seen the solution take the paint off !

Its a bit late for you now but a less harsh cleaner that works really well is Turtle Wax extreme (i think) cleaner, its in a green bottle.

Frankly, anything that leaves a stain on a stainless steel sink wouldn't be going anywhere near my alloys. WonderWheels is acid based, so it you are going to use it, don't leave it on for long. And, if you have any nicks or scratches be very, very, careful!!

I would bin it, then buy some MC2 instead

WW is very harsh :thumbdwn:

I'm pretty sure that Wonder wheels is Alkali-based. I've personally used it for 10 years and never had problems with damage/flaking.

My routine is

1) Clean the wheels with (normally) Halfords car wash stuff and a sponge then rinse off. It helps as the solution can start working on the ingrained dust rather than have to work its way through the loose dirt on top.

2) Brush/dab the WW on a wheel at a time and go round again straight away adding a bit more WW and rubbing in with the brush where needed.

3) Leave it for 20 mins. Then go back and see if there's any bits that it hasn't managed to break down.

4) More soap and water and rinse.

Normally takes me 45 mins tops to do a really thorough job.

Rob

only had problems with it when i used it on an already damaged section of the wheel with lacquer coming off - definitely made it worse - was years ago when i was a kid(well, younger ) and the car wasn't mine(sorry dad). other than that, get great results with it.

doesn't take too long at all to do if the wheels aren't caked in brake dust. i do one wheel at a time using the brush then cleaning with soapy water followed by hosing off.

et voila, clean wheels!!

I'm pretty sure that Wonder wheels is Alkali-based. I've personally used it for 10 years and never had problems with damage/flaking.

No definitely acid, if you drip it on to your concrete driveway (assuming you have one) you will see it effervesce as the acid converts calcium carbonate to calcium salts and carbon dioxide. But never mind the chemistry lesson, I've never had a problem with lacquered alloys, particularly to get the real stubbon stuff of the inside of the rim which usually doesn't have a nice smooth finish to make washing easy.

Lee

try getting it in a cut on your finger !!!

i wouldnt leave it for as long as 20mins though, it is the harshest cleaner i've used on wheels but it is good stuff.

like i said though there is less harsh cleaners available for less money.

No definitely acid' date=' if you drip it on to your concrete driveway (assuming you have one) you will see it effervesce as the acid converts calcium carbonate to calcium salts and carbon dioxide. But never mind the chemistry lesson, I've never had a problem with lacquered alloys, particularly to get the real stubbon stuff of the inside of the rim which usually doesn't have a nice smooth finish to make washing easy.

Lee[/quote']

It contains Phosphoric acid and Hydrochloric acid. Both of these media at the right concentrations will eat 316L stainless steel. We use both the products as raw materials and store them in polypropylene lined pipes and tanks.

I use wonder wheels occasionally but am extremely carefull not to get any on my nice green calipers!

Steve

Spent the afternoon cleaning the alloys and definately recommend wonder wheels, did an awesome job, wheels look like new! and i did get some into a cut on my finger and stings!

No definitely acid' date=' if you drip it on to your concrete driveway (assuming you have one) you will see it effervesce as the acid converts calcium carbonate to calcium salts and carbon dioxide. But never mind the chemistry lesson, I've never had a problem with lacquered alloys, particularly to get the real stubbon stuff of the inside of the rim which usually doesn't have a nice smooth finish to make washing easy.

Lee[/quote']

Im with mobtob... MC2

Would wonder wheels be harmful for white alloys?

No definitely acid, if you drip it on to your concrete driveway (assuming you have one) you will see it effervesce as the acid converts calcium carbonate to calcium salts and carbon dioxide. Lee

I stand corrected !

It was actually a Jag dealer that started me on Wonder Wheels 10 years ago that said they used it because it was Alkali-based. Perhaps they've had to change the formula as the competition has got (literally) stronger ?

Rob

I've used wonderwheels, but actually I prefer Commas wheel cleaner. It is definatly better. It lasts a lot longer and the spray is better.

WONDER WHEELS

I think that would be the definitive answer Denis

I've used wonderwheels, but actually I prefer Commas wheel cleaner. It is definatly better. It lasts a lot longer and the spray is better.

Seconded. I find Wonder Wheels is fiddly to apply.

Have used wonder wheels in the past and found it to be ok. I used it for abour 18 months with no ill effects and found it good at removing stubbon stains and ground in brake dust. Some complained about it discolouring the brake caliper but I never had that problem. I now use a meguires product that comes in a spray container. This I find to be just as good, just easier to apply.

ived used ww on my wheels for 6mths know and on the calipers with no ill effects, the way i do it is wet the wheel first then mix ww with some hot water, bout 50/50 in the black lid, then use a stiffer brush than the one provided and work it into the caliper and the wheel till it foams up, then wash off straight away, seems to give v.good results

Pete

I cheat with wonder wheels, I spray it on from an old 'Mr Muscle' container then use one of those loo-like wheel brushs. Does wonders as the name suggests

Don't get it on your hands though, it sure does sting

Rich

P.S. Does anyone know how often you can simply (high-pressure) rinse clean some Turtle wax brake-dust-barrier-covered wheels WITHOUT re-applying and if so, when would need to put BDB on again (the instructions say a coating lasts 3months) ?