Super Degreaser and Wheel Brightner

[Carfire]

On my next order from ADS I am buying the detailer line of products. I was going to buy wheel brightener because minus the smell and some other issues people say it works very well. But my concern is the owner of the car will not know what kind of wheel it is and my tests will come back inconclusive. So I have opted not to buy wheel brightener this round. I read the APC on Wheels, and that left me skeptical about using APC on my wheels along with on their vehicles.
1. Can you use Super Degreaser on wheels?
2. If so, are there any wheels you can not use it on?
3. If so, what effects may occur (stripping wax)?
4. Can you use wheel brightener on plastic wheels?


Thanks for your help and advice.

[Nappers]

Re: Super Degreaser and Wheel Brightner



I have only used AWC or MultiPiece cleaner (oh yeah, Eagle one all wheel tire cleaner) on wheels.

I know that Wheel Brightner can not be used on uncoated aluminum wheels.

APC will probably strip wax.

I've read recently that Super Degreaser was being used on tires..... I'm sure that will strip wax.

Just have to be careful and know what type of wheel you are working on.

[Tuck91]

Re: Super Degreaser and Wheel Brightner

I use Meguiars Multi piece wheel cleaner and Hot Rims Aluminum wheel cleaner

I would be careful with Super degreaser on wheels. But if you had to use a degreaser for the wheels i would choose Safe D greaser, even though its discontinued they still sell it at ADS


Im not sure if you could use it on plastic wheels, maybe you could play with your dilution ratios also as that is always a contributing factor

[Nappers]

Re: Super Degreaser and Wheel Brightner

Here's a link on a recent topic for APC on wheels

APC on wheels

One good point in the article is least aggressive. I tend to just scrub with my car wash and use the wheel cleaners as needed.

[Carfire]

Re: Super Degreaser and Wheel Brightner

Thanks guys!!
Aaron that was the article I was referring too.
I got a little confused though because it seems like they are either mixing up wheels and tires or they are using them interchangeably.

[Nappers]

Re: Super Degreaser and Wheel Brightner

Least aggressive first I say!

APC 10:1 for wheels maybe, but I use the Hot Rims wheel cleaners for any wheels I clean (first try the car soap).

Super Degreaser is pretty aggressive, I'd be careful on that.

Wheel Brightner on uncoated aluminum is bad. Not sure on plastic though.....but painted plastic? . One of the reasons I haven't bought any yet.

[Carfire]

Re: Super Degreaser and Wheel Brightner

Thanks a lot again Aaron!!

[Nappers]

Re: Super Degreaser and Wheel Brightner

Just so everyone is sure, I'm not swaying anyone from buying Wheel Brightner, I am just not educated enough to try it yet without worrying about it. From what I read it's great stuff and used a lot, otherwise it wouldn't be made anymore.

I just need to educate myself better with the product and I just starting jumping into the Detailer line as I stick with consumer products and the couple of cars I did for friends, I tell them what I used which is easier to get at local stores. And...they work.

There are ways to test for uncoated aluminum, painted etc to be sure. Also, the best way is to contact manufacturer to see what the wheel is and choose the right product for that wheel.

[roushstage2]

Re: Super Degreaser and Wheel Brightner

Super Degreaser, Wheel Brightener and APC/APC+ will strip wax off of any surface.

Super Degreaser can stain paint. You do have to be careful when using this stuff. If you are going to use it on tires, make sure you spray down the surrounding paint panels with water. I have used it on a wheel before, but I don't think you'd really ever need to use it on a wheel. Better choice of products out there IMO. Soap and Water work great most of the time unless there is just major build-up on the wheel itself. Great for tires or any greasy place though!

Can I use Super Degrease to clean alloy rims?
I mixed 10:1 ratio.

Yes.

Dilution: (Water : Degreaser)
Heavy-Duty Degreasing 4:1
Medium-Duty Degreasing 10:1

To be on the safe side, use this product at 10:1

Agitate before rinsing with a tire brush like our new one in the Gold Class Accessory line then rinse. If need, apply a second application.

As for the Wheel Brightener, I wouldn't put this stuff near a plastic wheel cover. Wheel Brightener is made for factory-style wheels and I believe it can be used on chrome. Most of the time, not all, factory coated wheels are the painted ones, usually in a silver/argent color. If you think a plastic wheel cover needs something like Wheel Brightener, it is really probably just time to either paint the wheel covers or buy new ones. WB can stain concrete and burn your skin so take extra care with it.

Besides the wheel cleaners listed above, we also offer a professional grade wheel cleaner in our Professional Detailer Line of products.


From our Technical Bulletin,



WHEEL BRIGHTENER
Meguiar's Wheel Brightener is the product of choice for professionals looking for a powerful wheel cleaner that quickly and effectively removes tough brake dust. There is a thin line between effective cleaning and dangerous to use products; Wheel Brightener gives users the ultimate in flexibility, cleaning and safety with one product.

Packaging:
1 Gallon, part # D-14001
5 Gallon, part # D-14005
55 Gallon, part # D-14055


Features:
* Safe on clear coated, factory painted, and chrome wheels
* Easily removes brake dust
* Concentrated formula:

pH: 5.0
Paintable: Yes
Dilution: Up to 4:1
(Water : Product)

Application:
Dilute to required strength, spray on cool, dry wheel surface. Let sit for 30-45 seconds and rinse with water. Apply only to wheels that are cool to the touch. Clean and rinse one wheel at a time.
Warning: Not for use on anodized, magnesium or polished aluminum wheels

Pro Tips:
For severe accumulations of brake dust, use a wheel brush and agitate area during the application of Wheel Brightener.


Health rating:
Health: 3
Fire: 0
Reactivity: 0
Specific Hazard: 0

If you type in Wheel Brightener into the Search engine for this forum you will pull up plenty of information and members thoughts on this product, here are a few,

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4394

In the below link, make sure to read Joe's comments.
(Joe aka Superior Shine)

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6488

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Super Degreaser and Wheel Brightner

Thanks for digging that seasoned posted up Tyler...

[Jokeman]

Re: Super Degreaser and Wheel Brightner

If your looking for something else to spend your money on, get a bottle of the D-Line glass cleaner!

[roushstage2]

Re: Super Degreaser and Wheel Brightner

Here's a quick review I typed up for you:

Here's some before and afters where I had to use Super Degreaser at 4:1 to get this tire dressing off. I tried full-strength Simple Green, APC+ 10:1 and 4:1, Dawn, and a mixture of all three to no avail. The Super Degreaser also cleaned out the brush that I was using as well that got all gunked up while trying to scrub the tire with all of the other products. The dressing that was on these tires was Black Magic Platinum Tire Gel.

I also used some on the wheel to try and get whatever it is on there off. It did take some off as you can see (it lightened the stain), though I never tried more than that one application.

Before (even after scrubbing and scrubbing with all of the above)





After (Super Degreaser 4:1)

[Carfire]

Re: Super Degreaser and Wheel Brightner

Thanks Tyler.
Do you think it worked well?
Or good enough that you would use it again?

[Tuck91]

Re: Super Degreaser and Wheel Brightner

looks good

[roushstage2]

Re: Super Degreaser and Wheel Brightner

Thanks Tyler.
Do you think it worked well?
Or good enough that you would use it again?

Once I use up all of my aerosol/trigger cleaners, I will probably start using it. I feel personally it does a much better job faster and easier than APC/APC+. Using it at 10:1 and having a gallon of the concentrate will last me some time. It did an incredible job cleaning the tire. As you can see, the tire beaded water just from the rubber being so clean and the lettering never looked whiter.