Wheels, Tires, Suspension & Brakes Forum Discuss wheels, tires, suspension and brakes for your Mercedes-Benz.
Need wheels & tires? Checkout the MBWorld Marketplace and support your forums!

Use Acid Solution to Clean Wheels ???

Old Jul 23, 2005 | 03:56 PM
  #1  
mis3's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 10
2004 CLK320
Use Acid Solution to Clean Wheels ???

I recently bought a set of AMG wheels for my 2004 MB CLK 320. My MB service advisor gave me a bottle of mild acid solution to clean the wheels and that's what they use in the shop. I tried it and it worked amazing well.

Question: Would the acid solution hurt the clear coat or the paint of my wheels?
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2005 | 09:15 PM
  #2  
RJC's Avatar
RJC
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,061
Likes: 326
From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
If it doesn't say it's an approved MB product, being an acid, I'd not use it. You only need car wash soap and water to clean the rims, why do you need such a harsh cleaner in the first place?
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2005 | 10:24 PM
  #3  
mis3's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 10
2004 CLK320
I did not use it on my new AMG wheels yet.

I used it on my friend's bimmer. He does not maintain his car much and the wheels had a lot of black spots. Regular soap and water could not take off these spots. The acid solution worked like magic.

I feel the same way but since they used it in the MB shop, maybe it's ok. That's why I asked for more opinions.
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2005 | 11:43 PM
  #4  
RJC's Avatar
RJC
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,061
Likes: 326
From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
There are other things that are better for the clear coat which may have removed those black spots, perhaps a cleaner wax etc.

I know dealers use this stuff and I'm sure it helps them speed through lots of cars every day...this stuff is just not for me and you shouldn't need it for your new rims ever.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2005 | 03:10 AM
  #5  
E55AMG99's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,445
Likes: 3
From: WOT somewhere in the Bay Area
1951 Caterpiller D6
Depends on how "mild". Many cleaners are mildly acidic. Most touchless high pressure car washes use an acid wash and neutral or slightly base rinse.

I'd be concerned about the clear coat turning yelllow or gettig dull. Also, if your polished rims are raw (no clear coat), they won't be for long.

It would be best to rinse this stuff off with a lot of water ASAP when using it.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2005 | 12:31 PM
  #6  
Kestas's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 696
Likes: 4
From: Motor City
95 E320 Cabriolet, 108K
What acid(s) does it contain? Citric acid is mild and used on a lot of over the counter cleaners. Hydrocloric acid is harsh and should be neutralized after use - rinsing won't do. Wesley's wheel cleaner contains fluoboric acid, whatever that is. If we know the acid we may be able to better comment on it.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:06 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE