I'm looking for recommendations for wheel cleaner. I finally ran out of the bottle I got with my VW Passat and can't find anything in the "household chemicals" department that does as good a job (the VW stuff was pure "phosphates and other nasty stuff"...it made heavy brake dust flow off the wheels).

Anything I might find around the house, or should I go get a commercial product and which one?

Thanks

AT

Simple Green - Home Depot.

I use the car wash soap, then wax it as if it were part of the car, and not just a wheel.

I've found just soap and water with a rag will clean our wheels. If you have really dirty wheels, pick up a wheel cleaner from Kragen, Auto Advance, Pep Boys or any auto supply stores. Get either an ALL WHEEL CLEANER or one that's for painted wheel since your RX7 stock wheel is painted. Don't leave the cleaner on your wheels too long though as it's corrosive and can damage the paint on your wheels.

:) Use Meguiar's "Hot Wheels" cleaner. Spray on, let set 5 seconds, spray off- they look flawless and even cleans off brake dust/build up-you have to try it!!

Gotta try the Meguiars.

Originally posted by MistaTea
Gotta try the Meguiars.

Does it disolve the brake dust that gets in the lug nut holes? That's the worst part.

yeah-you gotta try it and let me know...

Originally posted by rboerio
yeah-you gotta try it and let me know...

Will do... Pep Boys here I come.... :D

Just an FYI- I bought it " Advance Auto"

Originally posted by rboerio
Just an FYI- I bought it " Advance Auto"

There one of those near PB too.

I couldn't find "Hot Wheels", but I did find Meguiars "All Wheel Cleaner" in a pump spray. I'll give it a try...its suggested application method is "spray on and host off with a strong stream of water".

Originally posted by Atacdad
I couldn't find "Hot Wheels", but I did find Meguiars "All Wheel Cleaner" in a pump spray. I'll give it a try...its suggested application method is "spray on and host off with a strong stream of water".

This stuff is great. The pistol grip pump delivers alot of product per squeeze and the brake dust runs off.

Hot Wheels is a good pruduct, been using it for a while now...

I didn't read the directions close enough and let the stuff sit on my wheels for more than 30 seconds (more like a couple of minutes) while I sprayed the rest of the wheels and hosed off the car. No damage to the wheels, but it turned the brake calipers green!

simple green messed my calipers up

but I painted them red after that

Buy some Turtle Wax car wash, put a sprayer on it, and use that for the wheels with a soft wheel brush soaked in car wash soap. Does a great job, and no worries about wrecking the clear coat on the wheels.

Remove the wheels when cleaning. That way you can get everthing clean. Then give a coat or two of polish (RejeX or Zaino)

Originally posted by crumpmd
Remove the wheels when cleaning. That way you can get everthing clean. Then give a coat or two of polish (RejeX or Zaino)

I do that already. Plus I take the body panels off so I can clean and polish around the edges.

Originally posted by Velocity-8
Does it disolve the brake dust that gets in the lug nut holes? That's the worst part.

Another member came up with the idea of using a small piece of plastic irrigation pipe and a rag to get into the lug wells. Works like a charm.

So far I haven't had any wheel buildup that didn't come right off with a rag and car soap. Haven't waxed the wheels either but it sounds like a good idea for next time.

2 washes ago I started using Dupont's new Teflon Wheel Cleaners and I'm not going back. Great product it really put a protective coat and I've seen a significant reduction on brake dust.

Armor all wheel cleaner, it is in a silver bottle. I think $6.99 for a 32 oz bottle. I have used 6 differant cleaners, and this works great! It is very strong.

Troy J.

For those who don't mind a little extra effort, I picked up a can of Eagle 1 Wheel Wipes, and I love them. It takes absolutely no rubbing to take off brake dust, just run the wipe over the surface and it's spotless. When you're done, just hose off all the suds. I use these wipes on my Civic, and I can do both rear wheels with 1 wipe (drum brakes) and it takes 2 or 3 to do the front wheels, depending on how much dirt there is.

I buy most of my car cleaning products from Griot's Garage. They are a little pricey, but everything I have tried works better then anything I have purchase at any local store. This includes the wheel cleaner and thier cleaners have a pleasent scent.

www.griotsgarage.com

BTW...their wheel cleaner has not messed up my painted calipers and I spray it directly on them when they are cool.