Best alloy wheel cleaner

[MakaveliX]

Just wondering what you guys think is the best. All of the other threads are outdated.
I want something which will make them shiny and look new. I currently use Turtle Wax ZipWax ( cleans and waxes )

I wouldn't want anything which could be detrimental to the lubricant on my brakes ( caliper pins etc ) and end up cleaning that off too.

Also. I've seen some stuff which makes your tyres "black again" Is this any good, or could it be bad for the brakes ?Stuff like back to black and tyre slik

Thanks

Edited by MakaveliX on Tuesday 3rd May 18:09

[motco]

Bilt Hamber Autowheel Cleaner

It is astonishingly good.

[Pica-Pica]

I have used BMWs wheel cleaner (supplied with car), and after that AutoGlym clean wheels. Happy with either.

[Chubbyross]

motco said:

Bilt Hamber Autowheel Cleaner

It is astonishingly good.

This. I’ve tried many and this is by a country mile the best out there. It does stink, though, and will be in your nostrils for days!

[Antony Moxey]

I use Autoglym wheel cleaner and their tyre gel. Neither have dissolved my brakes, both do what they’re supposed to.

[Smint]

motco said:

Bilt Hamber Autowheel Cleaner

It is astonishingly good.

Another vote for BH's stuff.
Its expensive but in practice unless you drive on the brakes or don't wash the wheels regularly with normal car wash a twice a year treatment will keep them looking good.

[motco]

This was one of a set of second hand wheels with winter tyres on. They were filthy!





From my son's Z4M Coupé = copious brake dust dissolved by the BH cleaner.

[Pica-Pica]

A warning: If you have had wheels re-furnished with a powder-coat finish, many refurbishes will recommend only using car body shampoo.

[Drew106]

motco said:

Bilt Hamber Autowheel Cleaner

It is astonishingly good.

This is the answer. BH Autowheel is excellent stuff.

But I'd take it a bit further, BH is a little heavy duty for regular/weekly washes. I'm currently using KKD brakeaway if the wheels are not that dirty.

Regular maintenance: KKD Brakeaway
Deep clean: Bilt Hamber Autowheel
Nuclear option: KKD Devil's juice (eg. the interior of a wheel that's not been washed in years)

[motco]

KKD Devil's juice sounds like it's worth a look for that back of wheel soiling, thanks.

[thebraketester]

I use a iron fallout remover. Really good especially if you are not a frequent washer.

[p4cks]

I've always stuck with Wonder Wheels and never had a problem

[stevemcs]

Another vote for bilt hamber

[Superhoop]

Bilt Hamber Autowheel is teh right answer.. Absolutely brilliant

[Belle427]

BH is great stuff but does stink, make sure you wear gloves.

[Demelitia]

Drew106 said:

motco said:

Bilt Hamber Autowheel Cleaner

It is astonishingly good.

This is the answer. BH Autowheel is excellent stuff.

But I'd take it a bit further, BH is a little heavy duty for regular/weekly washes. I'm currently using KKD brakeaway if the wheels are not that dirty.

Regular maintenance: KKD Brakeaway
Deep clean: Bilt Hamber Autowheel
Nuclear option: KKD Devil's juice (eg. the interior of a wheel that's not been washed in years)

I just split it down in to two spray bottles and water one down to the strength I need for heavy removal and maintenance washing.
The value goes up even further that way

[M4cruiser]

Another vote for the BH cleaner from me. Worth reviving an old thread to say this!

Last year I tried the Halfords equivalent (because I was there and couldn't be bothered to do a mail-order for the BH stuff).
Halfords had done well in the "top 10" reviews, but it really wasn't very good, just ok.

Today I used BH and it's just brilliant. The smell isn't great (same smell as Halfords) but needed just a little brushing once on and the results are astounding. All the black and brown brake grime has gone, and that wouldn't budge at all with regular car shampoo.

[Belle427]

Cleaning wheels is my least favourite job but if you do it weekly just with your normal shampoo then you should only really need to do a deep clean once a year.

[vikingaero]

Belle427 said:

Cleaning wheels is my least favourite job but if you do it weekly just with your normal shampoo then you should only really need to do a deep clean once a year.

Eggsactly this. With the number of cars on the drive, I strive and fail at a weekly clean, but I do get around to fortnightly cleans. Once the wheel is clean enough and protected with anything from Ceramic spray or boggo standard wet wax, it shouldn't need anything harsh such as a wheel cleaner.

I have a spray bottle with water and standard Turtle Wax car shampoo (from a 15 litre Costco drum) that I dilute 50/50. Spray onto the wheel and tyre, agitate with a tyre brush and barrel brush and a microfibre for the wheel face and nooks and crannies.

Anyone reading this will think I'm mad spending money on wheels. The spray bottle was £1 from er Poundland, the 15 litre Turtle Wax shampoo was £15 from Facebook, tyre brush £5, barrel brush £6 from Amazon and I have loads of microfibres. Way cheaper than Bilt Hamber, unless I need to use some BH for heavily soiled wheels.

[Lincsls1]

vikingaero said:

Anyone reading this will think I'm mad spending money on wheels.

Not at all. Wheels can make or break the appeal of a car. No point in having super clean body work and trim only to let it completely down by having manky wheels.