05-09-2018, 08:35 PM | #1 |
Mugwump
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3
Location: NY
Posts: 17,475
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Wheel cleaner
What wheel cleaner will fix my filthy E46 wheels without taking the paint off?
The generic crap I bought at auto zone did very little. I remember nick recommended some seriously potent stuff a long time ago and it worked wonders, but I can't seem to find the thread. |
05-09-2018, 10:34 PM | #2 |
Chief title editor
Join Date: Oct 2003
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Sonax
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05-09-2018, 11:03 PM | #3 |
Mugwump
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3
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Ordered. Thanks.
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05-10-2018, 06:47 AM | #4 |
Relic
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Bethesda, MD
Posts: 12,475
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Or in a desperate situation, muriatic acid. But that’s only when you’re ready to take risks.
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05-10-2018, 12:16 PM | #5 |
Alphanumeric
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Even with Sonax, rinse with plenty of water. It is very strong IIRC. BMW wheel cleaner (in those white bottles) may be Sonax, I'm not sure. It turns red after a minute.
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05-10-2018, 01:43 PM | #6 |
Doctor Mudgeon
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,433
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Sonax makes two varieties, one of which works faster than the other. It's worth the extra few bucks for the faster stuff.
For best results, after spraying down the wheels with Sonax, I will take a soft brush and agitate the surface a little bit before rinsing. The wheels will "bleed" as the brake dust and other deposits are pulled off of the surface. It's fantastic stuff. I usually spray the wheels, then quickly spray/rinse the engine bay (with a different product), then rinse wheels. |
05-10-2018, 01:56 PM | #7 |
Mugwump
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3
Location: NY
Posts: 17,475
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Yeah I bought the fancier sonax. It's 30% more concentrated, or something like that.
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05-10-2018, 02:54 PM | #8 | |
Chief title editor
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Quote:
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OH NOES!!!!!1 MY CAR HAS T3H UND3R5T33R5555!!!!!!1oneone!!!!11 Team WTF?! What are you gonna do? |
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05-14-2018, 02:26 PM | #9 | |
Doctor Mudgeon
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,433
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Quote:
If you do take the wheels off to clean them, Sonax also sells some kind of wheel finish protectant in a rattle can. Can't remember what it's called. I got a can for free with one of my more generous detailing purchases, and it seems to make wheel cleaning a little easier/faster. You have to thoroughly clean and dry the wheels before applying, however, and you definitely need to have them off of the car. |
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