NickS

You hit home exactly what I was trying to say... it was the power washer that got the wheels so clean and not the product.

I've used dozens of different wheel cleaners over the years in detailing and have yet to find any product that works well with just spraying it on and hosing it off.

If after using "X,Y,Z" product you still have to wash/clean the wheels by hand, then it's really no better than just plain soap and water.... which is what I use 90% of the time. The other times I need to clean a wheel really well I just use a diluted application of simple green (on cool wheels of course) and it costs a fraction of what some specialized wheel cleaners cost.

That being said I do apply a coat or 2 of Menzerna FMJ on my wheels maybe once a year when I do a thorough detailing of my car. Works well enough and makes the wheels easier to clean. I'd pass on using traditional waxes as the heat will just melt the wax away in a short amount of time.

pjunk1

i just picked up a new A3 and wanted to avoid the brake dust problem as well. went out and bought the Eagle One Wheel Keep Clean. i applied over the weekend and yesterday it rained. wheels became very hazy. i know it would with all the rain. i'll give it one more shot and see how it works without rain. i see Armor All has a similar sealant...might try that one next.

ItsDubC

FWIW, Klasse SG seems to have made my regular wheel washes more effortless, which is why I haven't had to use my P21s gel much since the sealed wheels have been put on. By comparison, my OEM sport pkg wheels weren't sealed w/ anything and required a significant amount of elbow grease to get clean, even tho they were washed every 1-2 weeks. Unfortunately, I don't have a power washer but am still wondering what ratio you use for your Simple Green dilution? I read a few horror stories about Simple Green ruining wheel finishes and therefore never gave it the time of day, but I also know many ppl have had success w/ it.

zerinS4

I've never had ANY issues with SG as long as the wheels are cool. I just fill up the reservoir on my power washer with it, put the foaming washing tip on and hit it. It takes care of the mixing and foaming, but I think a 2:1 mix is safe.

S4.2Avant

I have found this stuff works wonders...wheels seem to stay cleaner longer and easier to clean, just don't use a wheel cleaner that will strip the wax.

http://www.detailersdomain.com/swiss...nwheelwax.aspx

Smith837

Hmm. Wondering to what extent the SONAX did the heavy lifting though -- there was a lot of black stuff (intense break dust deposits) that hosed right off after applying the SONAX. The hose alone wouldn't have removed these. The washing step amounted to just quickly wiping away a very thin layer of light gray dirt/dust that remained. :-S

I suppose I could just try a regular wash next time to see how much easier the SONAX made it.

pm203

I don't like to use any of the wheel cleaners on my wheels. Alot of these acid like wheel cleaners cannot be good for the clearcoat on these wheels . I just use regular car soap and water once a week and the wheels stay like new.

GRNMACHINE

x2. I do apply a few coats Meguires basic Car cleaner/wax a few times a year. It does help with cleaning. I have seen cleaners eat clear coat.

Smith837

I wouldn't use acid either. The SONAX Wheel Cleaner is acid-free and pH-balanced. But, nothing wrong with regular car soap if it does the job.

pm203

I will check out the Sonax wheel cleaner. Also, agree on the waxing once in a while.