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I've gotten into the habit of detailing my c300 which came with 5 spoke c63 wheels and I'm trying to find a wheel cleaner that would be safe to use on the paint finish. That won't damage it or anything just lift dirt and brake just I was thinking mother's cleaner or maybe one of the meguaris ? If anyone has some suggestions I'd be happy to take them.
Sonax Full Effect is okay but I prefer Iron X. Stock pads aren't that hard to clean off though. A bucket of blue dawn and a wash mitt/wheel brush should be fine.
Sonax Full Effect is okay but I prefer Iron X. Stock pads aren't that hard to clean off though. A bucket of blue dawn and a wash mitt/wheel brush should be fine.
Have you tried iron X or sonax on your c63 wheels as well ? I was thinking the matte/metallic grey finish might be super sensitive but if dawn works I'm fine with that but I heard dawn wears the clear coat ?
I use Palmolive to clean my rims and then I spray them with Meguiars express synthetic wax to shine them. I don't have to spend a lot of effort to clean the brake dust because my rims have Beeds ceramic coating on them as does my car. The coating makes it easier to remove the brake dust. I've been using this method to clean the rims on my various cars since 2013 and have yet to damage the finish on them
I use Palmolive to clean my rims and then I spray them with Meguiars express synthetic wax to shine them. I don't have to spend a lot of effort to clean the brake dust because my rims have Beeds ceramic coating on them as does my car. The coating makes it easier to remove the brake dust. I've been using this method to clean the rims on my various cars since 2013 and have yet to damage the finish on them
I detailed for several years. I don't recommend using dish soap at all:
"can you wash your car with dish soap? If you think about what dish soap is made for like removing grease and caked-on food then you'll understand why it's not good for your car. While it does a good job, it's good because it's considered an abrasive soap. But, when you use an abrasive soap on something like car paint, it accelerates the oxidation process and gives the car a dull look. Dish soap will also break down a car's wax coat and can be tough on rubber."
same goes for wheels as they are painted just like your car is. I've heard of people using it before waxing but I still don't recommend that. A clay bar will do just that and do it much better and safer. Anything with degreaser should stay far from your vehicles paint.
Have you tried iron X or sonax on your c63 wheels as well ? I was thinking the matte/metallic grey finish might be super sensitive but if dawn works I'm fine with that but I heard dawn wears the clear coat ?
Yes. I have used a lot of products on my car. Here is my detail thread to show you how intense I am about my car's cleanliness. Basically I only use sonax or iron x on the brakes when I pull the wheels off to clean stuff. That helps the more caked on stuff but even a 3000 miles road trip in winter didn't require more than blue dawn and a mitt.
Yes. I have used a lot of products on my car. Here is my detail thread to show you how intense I am about my car's cleanliness. Basically I only use sonax or iron x on the brakes when I pull the wheels off to clean stuff. That helps the more caked on stuff but even a 3000 miles road trip in winter didn't require more than blue dawn and a mitt.
Yes. I have used a lot of products on my car. Here is my detail thread to show you how intense I am about my car's cleanliness. Basically I only use sonax or iron x on the brakes when I pull the wheels off to clean stuff. That helps the more caked on stuff but even a 3000 miles road trip in winter didn't require more than blue dawn and a mitt.
I don't use wheel cleaner as I really don't see the need too. Any car wash along with a sponge/wash mitt is enough to remove just about every type of brake dusts I've come in contact with.
If you want to do some deep cleaning, spray some IronX every few months. Other than that, I don't really even see the need for something like Sonax, Griots, etc.
I use Adams wheel cleaner and it works very good. I don't typically use it often though as I try to limit abrasives. I prefer to use it to get them really clean, then use a nice wax on the wheel to make cleaning easier and brake dust less likely to stick.
I have those 18" AMG rims and they are easy to clean. Regular car wash detergent should do it.
The matte black 19" AMG rims are a different story. I can't get all the brake dust off, even after just a summer of use, and I wash it regularly. Any advice on what to use? Have tried Dr Beasley's Intensive and matte wheel cleaners, which didn't remove it completely.
A bucket of water with Megs Gold Class car wash, cotton terry rag, and an old horse hair brush for the wheels/tires, then another fresh bucket of water w/Megs and soft wash mitt for the rest of the car does great.
So iron X is pretty amazing stuff but I was worried that a few drops got on the rotors and instantly turned purple I washed it away thinking it would damage the rotor . Can you use it to clean the rotors and calipers or should I not spray them ?
So iron X is pretty amazing stuff but I was worried that a few drops got on the rotors and instantly turned purple I washed it away thinking it would damage the rotor . Can you use it to clean the rotors and calipers or should I not spray them ?
Iron X is the best product for brake dust I've ever used. it melted always brake dust off my wheels, rotors, and calipers. I've in the past on my old corolla tested oven cleaner...that is like using water in comparison to Iron X.
I also bought some wheel wax but am pretty lazy to apply more than once ever few months. Iron X is worth its weight in gold though. Literally melts brake dust.
I use Sonax full effect. I used it on all my cars for the past 6 years or so. Good stuff.
Although I wont use it on my full matte black finish stock wheels on the CTSV Wagon. Matte finish wheels can just be done with car wash soap and the right brushes.
idk what everyones fascination with Iron X is... Why risk any of it if soap and water work just as well? It's proven, safe and requires the same work. IDK any detailers that would wash wheels with anything other than soap and water, that includes calipers. You guys must have some next level mutated break dust if soap and water doesn't work.
Would Iron X be safe to use on powder coated calipers?
Dear God. How many people have to say Iron X is safe?! Did anyone read the previous comments?! My pro detailer buddy uses Iron X on the car paint to decon it. It's safe but not needed except for major cleanings like when I take my wheels off.
Last edited by chrisridebike8; 01-30-2017 at 02:35 PM.
I agree with chrisridebike8, it is completely safe. I even contacted the makers of Iron x when I first got it because I was paranoid about my matte black wheels. They responded by saying that is is 100% non abrasive and won't damage anything.
It is pretty cool to see everything ooze purple though lol.
01-26-2017, 01:49 AM
