Meguiars Wheel Brightner

[Fr0zen]

Well it's winter here in Chicago and we have a good 10" on the ground were I am. We are supposed to get 7' more tomorrow. Anyways both of my cars were filthy, my Jeep and my BMW. The BMW had about a month of heavy brake dust and serious road grime. I went to the coin op, and I sprayed the wheels 4:1 with Meguiars wheel brightener, I sprayed it very generously. I let it sit for a good 5 minutes as I hosed off the rest of the car. Afterwards I pressure washed it off, the wheels came out spotless, I didn't have to touch them, I was amazed. I sprayed it in the wheel wells, exhaust, and also sprayed a little on the tires to. Everything came out perfect! I honestly use Wheel Brightener as a APC since I got it. I use it on wheel wells, suspension components, exhaust, and even my engine bay (selected areas). I am careful to avoid uncoated aluminum areas in the engine bay, but overall Wheel brightener does an amazing job on any exterior non-painted component.

2hotford's last winter write-up of wheel brightener was great; it worked for me the same way it worked for him on his corolla. Just spray and pressure wash! Great product!

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

I went to a touchless wash yesterday that has operators to load the line (yeah, no choice but this in the winter!) and they were all looking at me like I was crazy when I jumped out and sprayed wheel brightener on stuff, then sat a couple more minutes before having them load me through. Everything was perfect on the other end, though!

I agree; it's a great product. I still use APC+ on the other components and plastic parts, though.

[Fr0zen]

I have done that to, when I pull up to the touchless I get out and spray it before I drive in, works great.

[ebpcivicsi]

It is acid based correct? I would be careful around rubber and as you said, uncoated aluminum.

[Fr0zen]

Nope not acid based, that was the old formula, I am using the new Formula the one that is EPA safe. It is purple in color and smells like grapes.

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Originally posted by Fr0zen
Nope not acid based, that was the old formula, I am using the new Formula the one that is EPA safe. It is purple in color and smells like grapes.

Yep.... I was supposed to get the old acid formula from a supplier on here, but they sent me the new one accidentally instead. Oh well, it's still VERY strong stuff

[Setec Astronomy]

Guys, I know you are all adults, and can take care of yourselves, but this wheel cleaner, if not technically "acid based", contains Ammonium Biflouride as the main active ingredient (at least according to the MSDS available online at the main Meguiar's website). This is essentially a hydroflouric acid compound (read here and here ). So heed any warnings and protective recommendations on the bottle.

[ebpcivicsi]

Originally posted by Setec Astronomy
Guys, I know you are all adults, and can take care of yourselves, but this wheel cleaner, if not technically "acid based", contains Ammonium Biflouride as the main active ingredient (at least according to the MSDS available online at the main Meguiar's website). This is essentially a hydroflouric acid compound (read here and here ). So heed any warnings and protective recommendations on the bottle.

That's what I was thinking. What are the precautions printed ont he label? I was under the assumption that it was a "serious" product.

[SpoiledMan]

I'd say it's serious.



With just a little agitation....


Notice how it cleaned the brake caliper that got NO agitation.

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Originally posted by Setec Astronomy
Guys, I know you are all adults, and can take care of yourselves, but this wheel cleaner, if not technically "acid based", contains Ammonium Biflouride as the main active ingredient (at least according to the MSDS available online at the main Meguiar's website). This is essentially a hydroflouric acid compound (read here and here ). So heed any warnings and protective recommendations on the bottle.

I knew the OSHA label on the bottle claims a "3" for health risk.... but at the same time it's a "0" for reactivity. Good to know that it still has an acid compound, since I was told otherwise about the "new" one....

[Mikeyc]

I have Wheel Brightener and I really feel like the description on the label gives a false sense of security. Ammonium bifloride is still acid and dangerous and should be handled with that in mind.

[gbackus]

Ammonium Bi-Fluoride is safe in the sense that it won't soak into your skin and leech the calcium from your bones the way Hydrofluroic acid compounds do. And no, it is not the same as Hydrofluoric acid, it's true that it's a fluorine based compound, but so is your toothpaste that you brush with everyday, so don't be hasty to come to conclusions. As with any hazardous product, you should always wear the proper safety gear(eye protection, chemical resistant gloves, etc.) and I believe it is recomended on the MSDS as well.

[Mikeyc]

Originally posted by gbackus
Ammonium Bi-Fluoride is safe in the sense that it won't soak into your skin and leech the calcium from your bones the way Hydrofluroic acid compounds do. And no, it is not the same as Hydrofluoric acid, it's true that it's a fluorine based compound, but so is your toothpaste that you brush with everyday, so don't be hasty to come to conclusions. As with any hazardous product, you should always wear the proper safety gear(eye protection, chemical resistant gloves, etc.) and I believe it is recomended on the MSDS as well.

My understanding was that ABF reacts when mixed with water to become HF. So, how is it less dangerous if we're mixing it with water?

[gbackus]

Originally posted by Mikeyc
My understanding was that ABF reacts when mixed with water to become HF. So, how is it less dangerous if we're mixing it with water?

Without knowing the exact chemical makeup of wheel brigthener I can't tell how all of the compounds react with one another. However, without knowing the grade of ABF(ie how much ammonium hydroxide was exposed to what percentage of HF, etc.), I cannot tell you it's specific reactivty with water, and then we have to look at the water itself, is it purified deionized water which itself is a mild acid, or highly calcified and chlorinated water? So while mixing a 10-15% solution of ABF with water will yield a .02% solution of HF, I don't think you should be worried about it. I'd be more worried about the health problems associated with ABF, particurlarly what it can do to your lungs with prolonged exposure.

[Setec Astronomy]

Huh? First you're telling us not to jump to HF conclusions and comparing ABF to the fluoride in toothpaste, then you're saying "I'd be more worried about the health problems associated with ABF, particurlarly what it can do to your lungs with prolonged exposure."

I guess I'm responsible for the hijacking of the thread, by rebutting the assertion that this product was non-acid. Whether or not ABF is or becomes HF is really semantics. What is important is whether someone reading this thread is going to interpret what is said to mean that they don't really have to be careful in the care and handling of the product.