[Bagelfast]

I have been using dawn to clean my rims for a while now in a gallon water mix... How bad is it, let me hear it

Thing is im getting tired of buying wheel cleaners.
Any good solutions without breaking the bank?

[Noc57]

I've been using soap and water only on my 230's ever since I've had my car. Just now a year old and they're perfect. If you stay on top of it, that's all you'll ever need.

For those of you that go weeks/months/years without cleaning your wheels, you'll need something harsher. Dawn is fine to use every now and then, but I wouldn't be using it every time I clean my wheels, that's some pretty strong stuff. Anytime you use chemicals to some degree you are damaging your wheels/clear coat.

That said I'd ask the detailers for more specific brand/detailing wheel products they use.

[TOGWT]

Buy a gallon of Groit's Garage Wheel Cleaner

Dawn tends to dry out rubber as its an alkaline

[Why Knot]

Originally Posted by 1LUMI335

I have been using dawn to clean my rims for a while now in a gallon water mix... How bad is it, let me hear it

Thing is im getting tired of buying wheel cleaners.
Any good solutions without breaking the bank?

Treat your wheels the same way you treat the paint.

[Pug]

Originally Posted by Noc57

I've been using soap and water only on my 230's ever since I've had my car. Just now a year old and they're perfect. If you stay on top of it, that's all you'll ever need.

For those of you that go weeks/months/years without cleaning your wheels, you'll need something harsher. Dawn is fine to use every now and then, but I wouldn't be using it every time I clean my wheels, that's some pretty strong stuff. Anytime you use chemicals to some degree you are damaging your wheels/clear coat.

That said I'd ask the detailers for more specific brand/detailing wheel products they use.

Dawn is just a degreaser, how can it damage your clearcoat? Paranoia. However, I would only use it to do a good clean, and then use some kind of protectant like wheel wax. Then our regular washes just use car shampoo that doesn't break down the wax. Same as the paint.

[TTG]

It will clean your wheels alright but will strip off all wax and protection on it as well....

[Noc57]

Originally Posted by Pug

Dawn is just a degreaser, how can it damage your clearcoat? Paranoia. However, I would only use it to do a good clean, and then use some kind of protectant like wheel wax. Then our regular washes just use car shampoo that doesn't break down the wax. Same as the paint.

Paranoia? Maybe. I've used the stuff and many name brand wheel cleaners over the years. After a couple years my wheels weren't looking as great. My E46 was a prime example. The clear/finish started dulling, and it looked as though it was getting eaten away. I never leave break dust on my car for any length of time and washed it often.

Is it Dawn specifically? Obviously not. I would think it would be fine.

Thusfar on my 09, soap and water is all I've used, and they look better than ever.

I'm no expert, but I'd try to stay away from the harsher chemicals.

[gary88]

I wouldn't use Dawn on anything other than dishes.

[lopealle]

Originally Posted by gary88

I wouldn't use Dawn on anything other than dishes.

i agree

[wakeboarder109]

Originally Posted by gary88

I wouldn't use Dawn on anything other than dishes.

I'd have to diagree. wakeboard bindings for the win!

[khoda355]

how about simple green?

[TOGWT]

Washing-up Liquids (Detergent)

Dawn® and similar type washing liquids chemistry relies primarily on detergent and surfactant technology. This type of chemistry has advanced to the point that it can be engineered to specific soils (i.e. organic grease) Detergent and soap chemistry and product formulation is a lot more complicated than this, suffice it to say; modern car wash formulations are automotive soil specific.

I would not recommend using a harsh dishwashing detergent such as Dawn® on a regular basis, as they contain a degreaser, although most of them are approx pH 8.0 the other ingredients will tend to oxidise the paint system and emulsify, breakdown and leach out oils found in rubber moulding, trim and the paint system, which causes the plasticizers to dry out and oxidize, causing them to lose their flexibility.

The MSDS indicates that this product contains sodium hydroxide, which is highly alkaline the same ingredient used in engine degreasers to chemically ‘burn’ hydrocarbon oils and grease from engine surfaces (sodium hydroxide) it will severely stain aluminium, magnesium, etc. It will emulsify, breakdown and leach out oils naturally found in your paint, and also any oils you have applied in the way of a polish or glaze.

Generally you should avoid the use of household cleaning products for automotive detailing as they are formulated for an entirely different type of cleaning.

[Your car surface and the dirt that gets on it are a lot different from the food soils and dishes that dishwashing liquids clean effectively. We don't recommend them for cleaning your car] [Proctor and Gamble]

An extract from one of a series of unbiased “Detailing Technical Papers” © TOGWT ™ Ltd Copyright 2002-2009, all rights reserved

.

[Craig@SupremePower]

Originally Posted by gary88

I wouldn't use Dawn on anything other than dishes.

[boroe90]

I use Simple Green on my andonized wheels