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How to choose your wheel cleaner?
How to choose your wheel cleaner?
Choosing a product to clean your wheels is not something to take lightly. There is a wide variety of options, and above all there are several wheel finishes, some of which are very delicate and require truly special products so as not to alter their appearance.
In this article, we will compare the different products with each other based on their use and performance. This is to help you make the best possible choice.
| PH | Maintenance type | Use | Texture | Volume | Cleaning power | |
| VALET PRO Bilberry | Alkaline | Regular | To dilute 1:10 | Liquid | 500ml, 1L, 5L | 6/10 |
| CARPRO Iron X | Neutral | Decontamination | Ready to use | Liquid | 500ml, 1L, 4L | 6/10 |
| ALCHIMY7 Wheels Gentle | Neutral | Regular (delicate wheels) | Ready to use | Liquid | 470ml | 3/10 |
| FICTECH Wheel - 123 | Alkaline | Regular (dirty wheels) | To dilute 1:5 to 1:20 | Liquid | 1L, 5L, 20L | 8/10 |
| FICTECH Target Wheel Cleaner | Alkaline | Regular (dirty wheels) | Ready to use | Liquid | 750ml | 8/10 |
| AUTOGLYM Clean Wheels | Acid | Before renovation | Ready to use | Liquid | 500ml | 8/10 |
| ALCHIMY7 IRON 7 HD | Neutral | Decontamination | Ready to use | Gel | 500g, 1kg, 5kg | 7/10 |
| CARPRO WHEELX | Acid | Regular (dirty wheels) | Ready to use | Liquid | 500ml, 1L, 4L. | 8/10 |
| VALET PRO Dragon Breath | Neutral | Decontamination | Ready to use | Gel | 500ml, 1L, 5L | 7/10 |
There are therefore several types of compositions for wheel cleaners: acid-based, alkaline-based or pH-neutral. This criterion is very important when choosing your product for your use. If you want to clean ceramic-coated wheels that are only slightly dirty, you will opt for a gentle wheel cleaner which will be more than sufficient (e.g.: Gentle wheel cleaner by ALCHIMY7). On the other hand, if you have just purchased a car with very dirty wheels that have never been properly maintained, you will need to use an acid or alkaline-based wheel cleaner to boost cleaning power (e.g.: Wheel - 123 by FICTECH) followed by a ferrous decontaminator (e.g.: Iron 7 HD by ALCHIMY7)
A ferrous decontaminator should be used on wheels after a thorough pre-cleaning, as it is not a standalone wheel cleaner. However, you will find certain products that combine both a wheel cleaner and an integrated ferrous decontaminator. For example: Iron 7HD, CARPRPO WheelX, GYEON Q2M Iron Wheel Cleaner...
The action of a decontaminator targets ferrous particles only, those embedded in the lacquer. It can be used to great effect on wheels but also on bodywork, plastics, glass, etc.
A ready-to-use product should be preferred for those looking for ease of use. No dilution needed — spray, work it in and rinse off.
Those looking for a more cost-effective solution or who have many vehicles to clean will gravitate towards concentrated products to dilute. Note that it is very rare to find dilutable ferrous decontaminators, but they do exist (FICTECH - 922 for example).
What products are recommended for delicate wheels (polished edge, polished, chrome, anodized)?
You must absolutely avoid any alkaline-based product and make sure to never work on a hot wheel.
The only products you can use on this type of wheel with a very delicate finish must be at a neutral pH — absolutely!
Some compatible references: AUTOGLYM Custom Wheel Cleaner, ALCHIMY7 Gentle wheel cleaner.
What product can I use on my wheels fitted with ceramic brake discs?
Some sports cars are equipped with ceramic brakes. For this specific type of disc, it is recommended to use pH-neutral products once again, such as ferrous decontaminators or any gentle wheel cleaner. Above all, never clean them when hot and never subject them to shock from brushes, applicators, etc.
Conclusion:
There are many products across all brands, and very often already a good number of references for wheels within a single brand. It can quickly become overwhelming. In this article, you have been able to learn about the different types of products (decontaminators, gentle or heavy-duty cleaners) in order to meet each need and each frequency of use.
There is no perfect, universal product that suits every need, for every type of wheel — rather, products to identify and choose based on your own specific needs.
Happy detailing to all!
The team.