Wheel cleaners disappoint Consumer Reports testers
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Keeping a car clean isn't only about good looks. It's about maintaining your car's value, too. One of the toughest jobs is cleaning the wheels. Every time you hit the brakes, brake dust gets on the wheels. Every time you hit a rock, it chips the wheel. Keeping wheels clean can prevent them from dulling or getting damaged.
Consumer Reports tested five cleaners designed for cleaning wheels, from names such as Armor All and Black Magic. All promise to get rid of "brake dust and grime." The spray-on, hose-off cleaners cost from $5 to $7. First, testers had to scout out cars with dirty wheels. Then they took "before" pictures and went to work. They wiped off the worst of the dirt, applied each cleaner as directed, and waited. Then they rinsed and wiped the tire with a second cloth to compare "before" and "after" dirt. None of the products delivered dazzling results without brushing.
If you're going to have to brush to get good results, Consumer Reports advises using a less-expensive product. The ZEP degreaser does call for brushing, but it costs a lot less, about $10 for a gallon. That's just pennies per wheel!
Headlights are another car part that often needs special attention. Many of today's plastic covers cloud up and discolor over time, which cuts down on visibility! Consumer Reports' tests of headlight cleaners found Sylvania's Headlight Restoration Kit performed the best, and it works on different types of headlights.
Consumer Reports tested five cleaners designed for cleaning wheels, from names such as Armor All and Black Magic. All promise to get rid of "brake dust and grime." The spray-on, hose-off cleaners cost from $5 to $7. First, testers had to scout out cars with dirty wheels. Then they took "before" pictures and went to work. They wiped off the worst of the dirt, applied each cleaner as directed, and waited. Then they rinsed and wiped the tire with a second cloth to compare "before" and "after" dirt. None of the products delivered dazzling results without brushing.
If you're going to have to brush to get good results, Consumer Reports advises using a less-expensive product. The ZEP degreaser does call for brushing, but it costs a lot less, about $10 for a gallon. That's just pennies per wheel!
Headlights are another car part that often needs special attention. Many of today's plastic covers cloud up and discolor over time, which cuts down on visibility! Consumer Reports' tests of headlight cleaners found Sylvania's Headlight Restoration Kit performed the best, and it works on different types of headlights.
Meguiars wheel brightener, you can get a gallon of it for under $20 and mix your own.
Griot's Garage of Tacoma makes fantastic car care products. Their wheel cleaners are the best I've ever used!
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Those headlight restoration kits are basically just a fine rubbing compound. No big secret there.
I wish car washes did a better job of cleaning wheels. That's what we're supposed to use anyway. Ecology and all that.
Ceramic brake pads produce less brake dust also, makes cleaning wheels easier.
I used several wheel cleaners when in the biz, and Eagle One "etching" wheel cleaner was my choice. Just don't use it on clear coated wheels. Use a cheap utility paint brush to clean in the grooves. Works excellent with little effort. For cleaning tires, Westley's Bleech-White is incredible.Â
 @paperboy Agreed, and if you use it on a clear coat rim that's a mistake you'll only make once. :-(
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Good stuff Connie! I always love her reports!  I say just roll up your sleeves and pull up a chair and start scrubbing.  Don't be afraid of a little hard work to clean your wheels!
I'm not a big fan of tire cleaners. They just make them look greasy.
 @Mumblix Grumph Tire dressing or cleaners?
Folks, if you would stop riding your brakes for three blocks before you have to stop it would go a long way in controlling the brake dust. So would following at such a distance that you don't have to slam on your brakes every time traffic makes a 1 MPH slowdown. A great added benefit is that you won't have to replace your brakes every 25,000 miles. You can also put ceramic brake pads on your car which create less dust. The dust they do create is closer to the color of the wheels. And wax your wheels once in awhile to help keep the dust from sticking to them. I can go several months without washing my wheels and they are barely dirty. Then I just wash them with the same soap I wash the car with.Â
@chuckh0308 I notice texting calls for a lot of extra brake use. Oh s___!