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Acceptable cleaners for Factory Clearcoat Alloy Wheels
Posted by Randy Cross
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Acceptable cleaners for Factory Clearcoat Alloy Wheels October 12, 2004 07:38PM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 20 |
<HTML>This is a multi-part question:
A- Is there a Concentrated cleaner (like Zep for instance) that I can buy at say Home Depot, or any other retail store, that will clean my wheels without hurting the clearcoat?
B- what are the chemicals or ingredients that I/we should stay away from when cleaning wheels.
I am a weekend amateur, and I'm tired dropping 5 buck for a qt. or less of wheel cleaner that runs out qickly.
Any suggestions?
p.s. I have an '05 minivan and a '02 SUV.
Thanks,</HTML>
R Cross
A- Is there a Concentrated cleaner (like Zep for instance) that I can buy at say Home Depot, or any other retail store, that will clean my wheels without hurting the clearcoat?
B- what are the chemicals or ingredients that I/we should stay away from when cleaning wheels.
I am a weekend amateur, and I'm tired dropping 5 buck for a qt. or less of wheel cleaner that runs out qickly.
Any suggestions?
p.s. I have an '05 minivan and a '02 SUV.
Thanks,</HTML>
R Cross
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Re: Acceptable cleaners for Factory Clearcoat Alloy Wheels October 12, 2004 08:09PM |
<HTML>I know Ron Ketcham of Valugard/Automotive International makes products approved by the OEM so you can't go wrong with the appropriate corresponding product.
I see the safest approach to cleaning wheels is to do so often, once a week or better , all you'll need to use is a good concetration of your car wash solution as your cleaner.
To delay brake dust from building up on them, coat them with a high quality,long lasting paint sealant.</HTML>
I see the safest approach to cleaning wheels is to do so often, once a week or better , all you'll need to use is a good concetration of your car wash solution as your cleaner.
To delay brake dust from building up on them, coat them with a high quality,long lasting paint sealant.</HTML>
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Re: Acceptable cleaners for Factory Clearcoat Alloy Wheels October 12, 2004 09:54PM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 36 |
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Re: Acceptable cleaners for Factory Clearcoat Alloy Wheels October 12, 2004 11:51PM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 3,550 |
<HTML>You can use a wheel acid on the wheels or you can use a branded wheel cleaner that might not be acid. Both will work.
Stay away from engine degreasers that have caustics in them (sodium hydroxide, for one) that will stain the clear on wheels and on the body paint.
If you want to try a great non-acid wheel cleaner let me know. It is very, very safe and yet effective.
Regards
Bud Abraham</HTML>
buda
Stay away from engine degreasers that have caustics in them (sodium hydroxide, for one) that will stain the clear on wheels and on the body paint.
If you want to try a great non-acid wheel cleaner let me know. It is very, very safe and yet effective.
Regards
Bud Abraham</HTML>
buda
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Re: Acceptable cleaners for Factory Clearcoat Alloy Wheels October 13, 2004 02:13AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 112 |
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Re: Acceptable cleaners for Factory Clearcoat Alloy Wheels October 13, 2004 02:15AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 112 |
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Re: Acceptable cleaners for Factory Clearcoat Alloy Wheels October 13, 2004 02:25AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 3,550 |
<HTML>Wesley's Bleech White is a WHITE-WALL CLEANER. It is not a wheel cleaner.
The formulation of a wheel cleaner, whether acid or non-acid is completely different than a white wall cleaner.
A white wall cleaner could have caustics in it, purpose, to "burn the dirt off the white wall.
The cleaner I mention above can safely be used as both a wheel and tire cleaner. It has to do with how it is formulated.
Acid users would not like our cleaner simply because it is not as effective as hydroflouric acid as a cleaner of wheels.
Bud Abraham
DETAIL PLUS SYSTEMS</HTML>
buda
The formulation of a wheel cleaner, whether acid or non-acid is completely different than a white wall cleaner.
A white wall cleaner could have caustics in it, purpose, to "burn the dirt off the white wall.
The cleaner I mention above can safely be used as both a wheel and tire cleaner. It has to do with how it is formulated.
Acid users would not like our cleaner simply because it is not as effective as hydroflouric acid as a cleaner of wheels.
Bud Abraham
DETAIL PLUS SYSTEMS</HTML>
buda
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Re: Acceptable cleaners for Factory Clearcoat Alloy Wheels October 13, 2004 03:08AM |
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Re: Acceptable cleaners for Factory Clearcoat Alloy Wheels October 13, 2004 04:27AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 1,838 |
<HTML>Factory clearcoated wheels can be cleaned with regaular car wash soap with ease -- but use a seperate wash bucket for them.
Custom Wheel Cleaner (Valugard) is a great cleaner for the neglected wheels -- safe on clear coats for unlimited uses.</HTML>
Take care,
Brian
Precision Auto & Marine
Learn to detail boats! Visit www.detailtheboat.com
Custom Wheel Cleaner (Valugard) is a great cleaner for the neglected wheels -- safe on clear coats for unlimited uses.</HTML>
Take care,
Brian
Precision Auto & Marine
Learn to detail boats! Visit www.detailtheboat.com
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WHAT ABOUT SODIUM HYDROXIDE?? October 13, 2004 01:30PM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 3,550 |
<HTML>There are at least three functions for sodium hydroxide in cleaners, so it depends which of these functions that sodium hydroxide is formulated in the chemical cleaner to accomplish.
1. In high alkaline cleaners 11+ pH, the sodium hydroxide is in the product at higher concentrations to function as the major cleaning mechanism.
2. It is used in small concentrations in many, many cleaning products (even household cleaners) simply as a pH modifier/stabilizer. Many products are only stable in a specificed pH range so the sodium hydroxide might be used to ajust the product pH to say 8-9 for the best stablility. Also, some chemical thickening agents only work at a specific pH so it may need to be adjusted to that specific range for the product to obtain proper viscosity. In these cases the sodium hydroxide would have a very minimal affect as a cleaner.
3. Sometimes sodium hydroxide is used in a cleaner to react with another chemical. For example, you would use sodium hydroxide in combination with sulfonic acid to form sodium sulfonate. Sodium sulfontate is a high foaming surfactant (common term - soap) and can be found in anything from hair shampoo to car wash shampoos to laundry detergent.
So, when you see the term sodium hydroxide on the label you have to know the nature of a chemical.
When sodium hydroxide is in an engine degrease you know that it is in higher concentrations and the product has a high pH and should not be used on carpets; clear coat wheels or the body of the car.
Hope that provides some better understanding.
Regards
Bud Abraham
DETAIL PLUS SYSTEMS</HTML>
buda
1. In high alkaline cleaners 11+ pH, the sodium hydroxide is in the product at higher concentrations to function as the major cleaning mechanism.
2. It is used in small concentrations in many, many cleaning products (even household cleaners) simply as a pH modifier/stabilizer. Many products are only stable in a specificed pH range so the sodium hydroxide might be used to ajust the product pH to say 8-9 for the best stablility. Also, some chemical thickening agents only work at a specific pH so it may need to be adjusted to that specific range for the product to obtain proper viscosity. In these cases the sodium hydroxide would have a very minimal affect as a cleaner.
3. Sometimes sodium hydroxide is used in a cleaner to react with another chemical. For example, you would use sodium hydroxide in combination with sulfonic acid to form sodium sulfonate. Sodium sulfontate is a high foaming surfactant (common term - soap) and can be found in anything from hair shampoo to car wash shampoos to laundry detergent.
So, when you see the term sodium hydroxide on the label you have to know the nature of a chemical.
When sodium hydroxide is in an engine degrease you know that it is in higher concentrations and the product has a high pH and should not be used on carpets; clear coat wheels or the body of the car.
Hope that provides some better understanding.
Regards
Bud Abraham
DETAIL PLUS SYSTEMS</HTML>
buda
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Re: WHAT ABOUT SODIUM HYDROXIDE?? October 13, 2004 01:42PM |
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Re: WHAT ABOUT SODIUM HYDROXIDE?? October 13, 2004 01:49PM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 112 |
<HTML>Bud,
It is well-known that Westley's is a whitewall cleaner. My point was that when spraying westley's on a tire, invariably there will be some overspray that makes contact with the wheel itself.
Does this mean detailers using this product should cover the wheels when spraying?
And yes, I do use a seperate cleaner for the wheels.
Bill,
Thanks for your post.
Personally, I only use a wheel cleaner on nasty wheels. My regular clients' wheels stay fairly clean because I clean & wax them when I do the first 'full-blown' detail. After that, any dust or grime usually comes right off with soap&water.
On occasion, I have been known to use wheel cleaners and on rare occasions, HF acid. Most of my clients' vehicles are cleaned ONLY by me. To date, no staining, discoloration, etc...
Been hearing great things about Custom Wheel Cleaner (Valguard). Sounds like that's next on my list.
Regards,
Mike R</HTML>
-Get that great new car feeling!-
It is well-known that Westley's is a whitewall cleaner. My point was that when spraying westley's on a tire, invariably there will be some overspray that makes contact with the wheel itself.
Does this mean detailers using this product should cover the wheels when spraying?
And yes, I do use a seperate cleaner for the wheels.
Bill,
Thanks for your post.
Personally, I only use a wheel cleaner on nasty wheels. My regular clients' wheels stay fairly clean because I clean & wax them when I do the first 'full-blown' detail. After that, any dust or grime usually comes right off with soap&water.
On occasion, I have been known to use wheel cleaners and on rare occasions, HF acid. Most of my clients' vehicles are cleaned ONLY by me. To date, no staining, discoloration, etc...
Been hearing great things about Custom Wheel Cleaner (Valguard). Sounds like that's next on my list.
Regards,
Mike R</HTML>
-Get that great new car feeling!-
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Re: WHAT ABOUT SODIUM HYDROXIDE?? October 13, 2004 06:15PM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 20 |
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Re: WHAT ABOUT SODIUM HYDROXIDE?? October 13, 2004 06:17PM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 20 |
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Re: WHAT ABOUT SODIUM HYDROXIDE?? October 13, 2004 07:31PM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 20 |
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Re: WHAT ABOUT SODIUM HYDROXIDE?? October 14, 2004 03:46AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 894 |
<HTML>Bud, you mention wheel acids for clear coated wheels. As far as Ive been taught, they can make rims which are not true chrome turn a milky chalky color, if misused. Unless you are refering to the ph level in a chemical being on the acid side of the scale? Im just wondering why you would tell a weekend warrior to use an acid on wheels that seem to be pretty well taken care of.</HTML>
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Re: WHAT ABOUT SODIUM HYDROXIDE?? October 14, 2004 05:14AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 3,550 |
<HTML>Dan:
What I was saying is that you can use acidic wheel cleaner on clear coat wheels, if it is necessary, without any concern of damage, if used properly.
Yes, over a period of time acid will dull the clear. That is my point about touchless carwashes they use a two step chemical cleaning process, acid and then alkaline to neutralize the acid and over time it will dull the finish.
If your wheels are not caked with brake dust, you are correct, there is no need to use much more than carwash shampoo.
All things in moderation.
Bud Abraham
DETAIL PLUS SYSTEMS</HTML>
buda
What I was saying is that you can use acidic wheel cleaner on clear coat wheels, if it is necessary, without any concern of damage, if used properly.
Yes, over a period of time acid will dull the clear. That is my point about touchless carwashes they use a two step chemical cleaning process, acid and then alkaline to neutralize the acid and over time it will dull the finish.
If your wheels are not caked with brake dust, you are correct, there is no need to use much more than carwash shampoo.
All things in moderation.
Bud Abraham
DETAIL PLUS SYSTEMS</HTML>
buda
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Re: WHAT ABOUT SODIUM HYDROXIDE?? October 17, 2004 11:52PM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 382 |
<HTML>The Viper Club of Michigan had their Fall rally at our shop yesterday. The subject matter of the day was wheels & tires. My associate has a Hunter Road Force wheel balancing unit at his shop so the Hunter rep & him did some demos.
We also had a wheel repair specialist from Alloy Wheel Repair come in & demonstrate how he polished wheels & straightened a bent wheel. Very cool stuff. The owner of Alloy is 61 and has been repairing & polishing all types of wheels for a couple dozen years. He talked about cleaning all types of wheels and said that he has never used an acid or a commercial wheel cleaning product. He said they're far too abrasive and all of them will damage clearcoated wheels if used regularly over time. He uses a 4:1 mixture of gasoline & mineral spirits to clean the wheels before he works on them. Well, the wheels he worked on yesterday were very dirty & had some grime that appeared to be a permanent stain on the wheel. He took his spray bottle & misted it on the inside of the wheel then took a rag & wiped it off and that wheel was completely clean and ready to be polished in less than 1 minute!! I couldn't believe it!!
He said the only thing you have to remember is not to smoke while cleaning the wheel, wear gloves & eyewear to protect yourseld and make sure you're in a ventilated area. He said that this mixture is safe to use on all wheels so there's no guesswork as to whether or not the product you're using is going to damage the finish. There's no need to use a degreaser or anything to neutralize because you wipe the stuff off right after you spray it and it evaporates very quickly. I saw him clean a clearcoated and a chrome wheel with absolutely stunning results!! It worked better and faster than anything I've ever seen and he hasn't damage a wheel in over 20 years and he's cleaned, repaired and polished thousands of all types of wheels. And he's in perfect health!</HTML>
Shine On!
Rod Wesley
Touch Up 'N' Go!
Auto & Marine Appearance Center
We take your car from Rough to Buff!
Visit our website at: www.touchupngo.com
We also had a wheel repair specialist from Alloy Wheel Repair come in & demonstrate how he polished wheels & straightened a bent wheel. Very cool stuff. The owner of Alloy is 61 and has been repairing & polishing all types of wheels for a couple dozen years. He talked about cleaning all types of wheels and said that he has never used an acid or a commercial wheel cleaning product. He said they're far too abrasive and all of them will damage clearcoated wheels if used regularly over time. He uses a 4:1 mixture of gasoline & mineral spirits to clean the wheels before he works on them. Well, the wheels he worked on yesterday were very dirty & had some grime that appeared to be a permanent stain on the wheel. He took his spray bottle & misted it on the inside of the wheel then took a rag & wiped it off and that wheel was completely clean and ready to be polished in less than 1 minute!! I couldn't believe it!!
He said the only thing you have to remember is not to smoke while cleaning the wheel, wear gloves & eyewear to protect yourseld and make sure you're in a ventilated area. He said that this mixture is safe to use on all wheels so there's no guesswork as to whether or not the product you're using is going to damage the finish. There's no need to use a degreaser or anything to neutralize because you wipe the stuff off right after you spray it and it evaporates very quickly. I saw him clean a clearcoated and a chrome wheel with absolutely stunning results!! It worked better and faster than anything I've ever seen and he hasn't damage a wheel in over 20 years and he's cleaned, repaired and polished thousands of all types of wheels. And he's in perfect health!</HTML>
Shine On!
Rod Wesley
Touch Up 'N' Go!
Auto & Marine Appearance Center
We take your car from Rough to Buff!
Visit our website at: www.touchupngo.com
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Re: WHAT ABOUT SODIUM HYDROXIDE?? October 18, 2004 02:07AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 505 |
<HTML>Without a doubt, the use of hydrocarbon solvents, that are not of the real active types, such as thinner, reducers, etc would clean clearcoated wheels.
However, he is one man, granted well educated and a long time of experience, but not one to have to clean wheels on cars, everyday, 12 to 100 wheels a day.
Would you also accept the findings of the wheel manufacturers and the vehicle manufacturers wheel engineers, their "coating" engineers?
If so, DaimlerChrysler Canada, DaimlerChrysler Mexico, Saab, Nissan, Saturn, Renault, for few, have put the Custom Wheel Cleaner through not only the test labs of Hayes, Republic, A-Mold, etc, but through their own coatings labs to assure it's safe ability to clean their factory supplied wheels.
Which is why we private label for these manufacturers.
Ketch</HTML>
Do it right or don't do it all!
However, he is one man, granted well educated and a long time of experience, but not one to have to clean wheels on cars, everyday, 12 to 100 wheels a day.
Would you also accept the findings of the wheel manufacturers and the vehicle manufacturers wheel engineers, their "coating" engineers?
If so, DaimlerChrysler Canada, DaimlerChrysler Mexico, Saab, Nissan, Saturn, Renault, for few, have put the Custom Wheel Cleaner through not only the test labs of Hayes, Republic, A-Mold, etc, but through their own coatings labs to assure it's safe ability to clean their factory supplied wheels.
Which is why we private label for these manufacturers.
Ketch</HTML>
Do it right or don't do it all!
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Re: WHAT ABOUT SODIUM HYDROXIDE?? October 18, 2004 02:24AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 3,550 |
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Re: WHAT ABOUT SODIUM HYDROXIDE?? October 18, 2004 02:34AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 505 |
<HTML>I agree Bud.
How about the storage of the rags used?
Not a good idea to use flammable solvents to clean large surface areas, unless the shop and employee's are well trained and all safety/health concerns have been addressed to OSHA's, the insurance carrier, the fire departments, etc satifaction.
Ketch</HTML>
Do it right or don't do it all!
How about the storage of the rags used?
Not a good idea to use flammable solvents to clean large surface areas, unless the shop and employee's are well trained and all safety/health concerns have been addressed to OSHA's, the insurance carrier, the fire departments, etc satifaction.
Ketch</HTML>
Do it right or don't do it all!
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