Which wheel cleaner should you actually be using?

Which Wheel Cleaner Should You Actually Be Using?

One of the easiest ways to damage a wheel is using the wrong product.

Not all wheels are created equal - and neither are wheel cleaners.

Here are the 4 common wheel types found on modern cars and vans, how to correctly identify them and which product to tackle them with 👇

🔹 Steel Wheels

Pretty robust.

Usually found on slightly older cars and commercial vehicles. Designed to be cheap and tough. Often covered with plastic wheel trims/hubcaps.

 All wheel cleaner types can be used. Use acid cleaners for heavy brake dust. Just don't let the products dry out.

Use our: Alloy Wheel Cleaner, Acid Free Wheel Cleaner, Iron Out.

🔹 Painted Alloy Wheels

A little more delicate.

The most common type. One piece wheel with a consistent metallic silver or coloured appearance.

Use pH neutral wheel cleaners for light cleaning or regularly maintaining clean wheels. For heavy brake dust, acid wheel cleaners can be used. Again, do not let them dry.

Use our: Alloy Wheel Cleaner, Iron Out.

🔹 Diamond Cut Alloys 

 & 

🔹Split Rims

The most delicate.

Diamond cut alloys have a machined bare metal face protected only by a thin lacquer. Split rims have a 2 piece design which screws or bolts together, usually found as aftermarket add on's on modified vehicles.

 Once moisture (or the wrong product) gets under that lacquer or between wheel sections, corrosion spreads quickly.

Strong acids + repeated harsh cleaning = failure.

Use our: Acid Free Wheel Cleaner, Iron Out.

Most wheel damage doesn’t happen in one wash.

It happens from repeated use of the wrong product over time.

Understand the finish first, then choose the chemistry.