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Wheel Cleaner

Claying, polishing, waxing... share your secrets in here.
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Nanu
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Post by Nanu » Sat Oct 22, 2016 7:59 pm

A while ago I asked for recommendations for a good wheel cleaner and although recommended several I recently went for Dragons Breath.
Tried it today and whilst it does stink as I had been warned (It even warns you on the bottle) the stuff is wonderful. Every single bit of dirt and brake dust gone in just one application and rinse and didn't even have to give them a scrub. Left the stuff on for 5 minutes and everything turned dark red / purple and rinsed off with a jet wash and Bingo cleanest wheels I have had since new.

Unfortunately it then started raining so didn't have the chance to give them a coat of polish. Hopefully tomorrow. Thanks to all who recommended it. :thumbsup:
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RickRob
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Post by RickRob » Sat Oct 22, 2016 9:19 pm

I've got some time off in a couple of weeks - Mrs R is on a course so I am dog sitting.

Your post reminded me to get some of this, so I have! Thanks.
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ben g
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Post by ben g » Sat Oct 22, 2016 9:59 pm

I've always wanted to try dragons breath, but surely it eats through any Polish/Sealant applied to the alloys?

I sealed my alloys with Gtechniq C5 after getting them refurbished and a simple wipe over with some soapy water gets all brake dust and dirt off.
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pvr
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Post by pvr » Sat Oct 22, 2016 10:02 pm

Any better than Bilberry? I find that pretty useless to be honest.
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Zero4
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Post by Zero4 » Sun Oct 23, 2016 10:25 pm

Used to use bilburry and now dragons breath. It's very very good.

Bilberry is good when you get the dilution right but DB is next level

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srhutch
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Post by srhutch » Sun Oct 23, 2016 11:25 pm

ben g wrote:I've always wanted to try dragons breath, but surely it eats through any Polish/Sealant applied to the alloys?

I sealed my alloys with Gtechniq C5 after getting them refurbished and a simple wipe over with some soapy water gets all brake dust and dirt off.
No need then. Although from what I understand you would have to use a polisher to get ridof the C5.

I asked the same question about wolfs hardbody re tardis and ironx, and that was the response I got from the manufacturer.
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M1ghty_m0use
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Post by M1ghty_m0use » Sun Oct 23, 2016 11:50 pm

Another one with a thumbs up for the dragons breath, but it does stink

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pvr
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Post by pvr » Mon Oct 24, 2016 7:53 am

RLFILMSCO wrote:Used to use bilburry and now dragons breath. It's very very good.

Bilberry is good when you get the dilution right but DB is next level
I use straight now as it hardly shifts anything from the wheels. Not impressed with it.
Current:
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3

Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo

Zero4
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Post by Zero4 » Mon Oct 24, 2016 10:10 am

50/50 has always worked fine for me. It was always a weekly thing though

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pvr
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Post by pvr » Mon Oct 24, 2016 10:29 am

I use it (weekly) on the Audi, and the front wheels are black from the brake dust.

When I spray it on, leave it for a couple of minutes, and hose it off - it just "dulls" the brake dust but does not shift it.

Whether using the stuff or not, I have to put in the same effort to clean the wheels (i.e. wheel woolies and an old mitt).
Current:
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3

Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo

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hopz121
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Post by hopz121 » Mon Oct 24, 2016 10:37 am

Try Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel it's an amazing product and one of the best on the market I'd say.

Never have rated Billbery and have tried many others but have found the Bilt Hamber to be the best.

The Auto wash car shampoo they sell is amazing stuff too :thumbsup:
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pvr
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Post by pvr » Mon Oct 24, 2016 10:43 am

I will give that a go once I have finishes the Billbery.

Never quite understand the different levels of review - my wheels and brake dust is the same as other cars, so am a little bemused how someone can rave about the product when it basically does just about nothing in my case - even using it undiluted.
Current:
911-50 Black - unique spec
X5M - 575 hp of fun in a V8
Abarth 595 Comp.
Golf Clipper - collectors item
Z4 3.0si Black Sapphire
VW ID.3

Previous:
Z4M Silver Grey - non flimper spec (gone to Bing)
Z4 3.0 Toledo

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obewan
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Post by obewan » Mon Oct 24, 2016 12:45 pm

Good timing this thread
Cleaned the car yesterday - first time for a few weeks (I know :), silver so it actually looked ok) and the wheels were pretty dirty
I hate doing the Alloys at the best of time so was just going to post about recommendations.

One question though - are any of the ones you are talking about Acid free? - or are they rubbish?
The reason I ask is that my son's tyre valve split the other week the moment he touched it - our tyre fitter mate said it could be the car wash guys using the wrong strength wheel cleaner or not washing it off properly. he thought the fluid may have sat in the valve recess and affected the rubber
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mr.tourette
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Post by mr.tourette » Mon Oct 24, 2016 1:17 pm

hot soapy water for me...wheels are painted tho and come up a treat with a wee scrub with a soft bodywork brush
if its got tits or tyres..its trouble :D

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srhutch
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Post by srhutch » Mon Oct 24, 2016 1:22 pm

pvr wrote:I use it (weekly) on the Audi, and the front wheels are black from the brake dust.

When I spray it on, leave it for a couple of minutes, and hose it off - it just "dulls" the brake dust but does not shift it.

Whether using the stuff or not, I have to put in the same effort to clean the wheels (i.e. wheel woolies and an old mitt).
my E87 is like that, but both zeds, even when used as DD the dust just shifted with normal shampoo.

Perhaps I look after the Zed's wheels better. :oops:
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