Best OTC wheel cleaner?

ChuckBMW3 · 08-31-2010, 10:41 PM

Title says it all. What is the best OTC wheel cleaner that will be fairly gentle on my rims, yet still effective enough to cut through the brake dust?

ak335 · 08-31-2010, 10:47 PM

Never use Wheel cleaner, just use what you use on the paint of your car on your wheels with a little elbow grease

shoes · 08-31-2010, 11:40 PM

I've never really wasted my time with OTC wheel cleaners since I believe most of them are acid-based. Definitely not gonna happen with my powdercoated wheels.

I would suggest doing what ak335 said until you can pick up a safe/quality wheel cleaner online if you cant find them locally.
If you really need an OTC one, look for something non-acidic.

Sorry I can't be of more help. I'm sure someone else will chime in.

Gig103 · 09-01-2010, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoes

I've never really wasted my time with OTC wheel cleaners since I believe most of them are acid-based. Definitely not gonna happen with my powdercoated wheels.

Exactly my thought. A separate microfiber cloth or mitt and car soap should do just fine. Order some Sonax or P21s, which are both pH neutral.

Both links to go to site sponsors.

SteveChester · 09-01-2010, 08:40 AM

Sonax to clean them and then Poorboys wheel sealant.

Once sealed the dust just washes off!

SG07 · 09-01-2010, 09:58 AM

Auto-Glym Custom Wheel Cleaner is acid-free. It's OTC in my area. It's one of the best OTC wheel cleaner in my opinion.

ChuckBMW3 · 09-01-2010, 10:52 AM

Thanks for the responses everyone. I have used p21s wheel cleaner before and absolutely loved it. I have spent entirely too much on detailing supplies online recently, so I figured I would look for something OTC that is a little less expensive. Since it sounds like those products are no good (excluding auto-glym), I guess I'll bite the bullet and order some more.

dday · 09-01-2010, 11:57 AM

Sonax really isn't much more expensive than somethign OTC, we're talking maybe an extra $7-10 per bottle. To me that just isn't much money to know you're using a good product.

I'm not bagging on you specifically but for me if I spend the money on a BMW I'm going to spend a little more for detailing prods.

It's kind of like when people spend $500 on an ipad and then won't buy a $2 app. You already invested a boatload in it, what's a few extra bucks?

pjm · 09-01-2010, 01:18 PM

Chemical Guys Diablo is a good deal. (Sorry, not OTC) Its concentrated, so you can mix w/ water up to 6:1. A gallon should last a couple years. Works great and it smells like bubblegum!

UncleWede · 09-01-2010, 01:53 PM

Simple Green is OTC. When I do my semi-annual cleaning/claying/PB Wheel Waxing, that's what I use.

Regularly I use PB All-Purpose cleaner to do the wheels first, with a seperate container and sponge, before washing the rest of the car.

08-31-2010, 10:41 PM	#1
ChuckBMW3 Lieutenant 14 Rep 433 Posts Drives: f30 335i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Jacksonville, FL iTrader: (0)	Best OTC wheel cleaner? Title says it all. What is the best OTC wheel cleaner that will be fairly gentle on my rims, yet still effective enough to cut through the brake dust? __________________ f30 335i: Current e92 335i: Sold 10/29/2015 e90 328i: Sold 12/7/2013
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08-31-2010, 10:47 PM	#2
ak335 Lieutenant Colonel 140 Rep 1,564 Posts Drives: Cayman S Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern Va iTrader: (3)	Never use Wheel cleaner, just use what you use on the paint of your car on your wheels with a little elbow grease __________________
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08-31-2010, 11:40 PM	#3
shoes Captain 25 Rep 635 Posts Drives: 07 BSM E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Huntington Beach, CA iTrader: (1)	I've never really wasted my time with OTC wheel cleaners since I believe most of them are acid-based. Definitely not gonna happen with my powdercoated wheels. I would suggest doing what ak335 said until you can pick up a safe/quality wheel cleaner online if you cant find them locally. If you really need an OTC one, look for something non-acidic. Sorry I can't be of more help. I'm sure someone else will chime in. __________________
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09-01-2010, 08:40 AM	#5
SteveChester Brigadier General 2469 Rep 4,668 Posts Drives: F82 M4 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chester iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW F82 M4 [0.00]	Sonax to clean them and then Poorboys wheel sealant. Once sealed the dust just washes off! __________________ Steve Roberts UK F82 M4.
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09-01-2010, 09:58 AM	#6
SG07 Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 263 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Auto-Glym Custom Wheel Cleaner is acid-free. It's OTC in my area. It's one of the best OTC wheel cleaner in my opinion.
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09-01-2010, 10:52 AM	#7
ChuckBMW3 Lieutenant 14 Rep 433 Posts Drives: f30 335i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Jacksonville, FL iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the responses everyone. I have used p21s wheel cleaner before and absolutely loved it. I have spent entirely too much on detailing supplies online recently, so I figured I would look for something OTC that is a little less expensive. Since it sounds like those products are no good (excluding auto-glym), I guess I'll bite the bullet and order some more. __________________ f30 335i: Current e92 335i: Sold 10/29/2015 e90 328i: Sold 12/7/2013
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09-01-2010, 11:57 AM	#8
dday Captain 35 Rep 856 Posts Drives: 2014 Alpine White 335 M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: MA iTrader: (1)	Sonax really isn't much more expensive than somethign OTC, we're talking maybe an extra $7-10 per bottle. To me that just isn't much money to know you're using a good product. I'm not bagging on you specifically but for me if I spend the money on a BMW I'm going to spend a little more for detailing prods. It's kind of like when people spend $500 on an ipad and then won't buy a $2 app. You already invested a boatload in it, what's a few extra bucks?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-01-2010, 01:18 PM	#9
pjm Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 230 Posts Drives: women wild Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Albany, NY iTrader: (0)	Chemical Guys Diablo is a good deal. (Sorry, not OTC) Its concentrated, so you can mix w/ water up to 6:1. A gallon should last a couple years. Works great and it smells like bubblegum!
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09-01-2010, 01:53 PM	#10
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 18691 Rep 9,445 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	Simple Green is OTC. When I do my semi-annual cleaning/claying/PB Wheel Waxing, that's what I use. Regularly I use PB All-Purpose cleaner to do the wheels first, with a seperate container and sponge, before washing the rest of the car.
	Appreciate 0 Quote