Wheel cleaner

modat · 04-28-2021, 07:38 AM

Hey guys

I was wondering if you have any recommendations for a wheel cleaner. I've heard of stories of certain cleaners leaving stains or ruining some wheels so I want to try to stick with something that's been tested on BMW alloys.

Thanks

BzsBimmer · 04-28-2021, 10:47 AM

Stick with PH neutral cleaners like
Sonax, Gyeon, Griots, etc.

Try to stay away from acidic cleaners.

SickGTR · 04-28-2021, 01:46 PM

PS-21

Floridagator · 04-28-2021, 02:34 PM

P21S Wheel Gel is an excellent cleaner, and I'm pretty sure this is what BMW buys and re-sells for their BMW-branded wheel cleaner.

When you need more cleaning power, the Sonax Full Effect line is highly effective because it contains the iron-dissolving chemical found in other products like Iron X. Note, however, that it's *very* expensive.

I'll typically use P21S for weekly cleaning and hit the wheels with Sonax once a month.

Der_Wolf · 05-09-2021, 11:52 AM

I've had a lot of success with Sonax. It's pricey, but it did the best job with my 666M wheels (such a pain to clean) on my F80. Worth every cent. Although like some of the others users mentioned, you could use P21 regularly and sonax once a month or so to save some $$$

Saturatedfat · 05-09-2021, 08:40 PM

Just buy Sonax in bulk 😉

Vmaxx · 05-09-2021, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floridagator

P21S Wheel Gel is an excellent cleaner, and I'm pretty sure this is what BMW buys and re-sells for their BMW-branded wheel cleaner.

When you need more cleaning power, the Sonax Full Effect line is highly effective because it contains the iron-dissolving chemical found in other products like Iron X. Note, however, that it's *very* expensive.

I'll typically use P21S for weekly cleaning and hit the wheels with Sonax once a month.

Isn’t Gyeon more expensive? Seems like Sonax is a few dollars less.

LuvMyE92 · 05-10-2021, 02:13 PM

P21S is (as noted) resold by BMW and I believe (although I can't prove it) is the same thing sold by Griots. I get the latter on sale.

The Sonax, if it's what I think it is, sold under other brand names, works great but absolutely stinks to the heavens. I have the bottle double-wrapped in zip-lock bags, and it still smells up the cabinet that it's in. OMG. Foul.

Use the P21S and variants - heck, just use your car washing soap on the wheels - every time you wash the car, which for me is weekly, and the wheels shouldn't get bad enough to require the Sonax.

Natch you want to wash the wheels last, if using the same bucket, to avoid getting that nasty stuff on your paint.

Der_Wolf · 05-11-2021, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

P21S is (as noted) resold by BMW and I believe (although I can't prove it) is the same thing sold by Griots. I get the latter on sale.

The Sonax, if it's what I think it is, sold under other brand names, works great but absolutely stinks to the heavens. I have the bottle double-wrapped in zip-lock bags, and it still smells up the cabinet that it's in. OMG. Foul.

Use the P21S and variants - heck, just use your car washing soap on the wheels - every time you wash the car, which for me is weekly, and the wheels shouldn't get bad enough to require the Sonax.

Natch you want to wash the wheels last, if using the same bucket, to avoid getting that nasty stuff on your paint.

I don't believe Sonax is sold under other brand names, and I have never noticed a smell with my bottle. Maybe you are thinking of something else.

BzsBimmer · 05-11-2021, 11:45 AM

Sonax has a pretty strong smell to it for me as well. I don’t remember the smell of P21S but I’d say almost all wheel cleaners have a pretty strong odor.

LuvMyE92 · 05-12-2021, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Der_Wolf

I don't believe Sonax is sold under other brand names, and I have never noticed a smell with my bottle. Maybe you are thinking of something else.

Yeah, I was. It's this stuff that removes iron deposits, sprays on clear and turns purple as it reacts to the metal. It's a great cleaner, but the smell will knock you down.

Found it. Iron-X. Thank you Google.

merlin3008 · 05-12-2021, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

Yeah, I was. It's this stuff that removes iron deposits, sprays on clear and turns purple as it reacts to the metal. It's a great cleaner, but the smell will knock you down.

Found it. Iron-X. Thank you Google.

That smell means it's working!

SickGTR · 05-13-2021, 06:34 AM

Also, spend the time to clean them good and throw some ceramic on them. A few coats will make cleaning them easier down the road

04-28-2021, 07:38 AM	#1
modat Lieutenant Colonel 2485 Rep 1,740 Posts Drives: 2022 IOMG M3 Xdrive Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Wheel cleaner Hey guys I was wondering if you have any recommendations for a wheel cleaner. I've heard of stories of certain cleaners leaving stains or ruining some wheels so I want to try to stick with something that's been tested on BMW alloys. Thanks
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04-28-2021, 10:47 AM	#2
BzsBimmer Major General 3426 Rep 6,817 Posts Drives: '23 G80 FO M3 & '23 G05 X5 M50 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nor. Cal iTrader: (32)	Stick with PH neutral cleaners like Sonax, Gyeon, Griots, etc. Try to stay away from acidic cleaners.
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04-28-2021, 01:46 PM	#3
SickGTR Banned 1081 Rep 949 Posts Drives: 1000whpGTR/ F-82 YAS Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Dirt Jerz iTrader: (0)	PS-21
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04-28-2021, 02:34 PM	#4
Floridagator Obsessed with braking 39 Rep 83 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW M3 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: White Lake, MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW M3 [0.00]	P21S Wheel Gel is an excellent cleaner, and I'm pretty sure this is what BMW buys and re-sells for their BMW-branded wheel cleaner. When you need more cleaning power, the Sonax Full Effect line is highly effective because it contains the iron-dissolving chemical found in other products like Iron X. Note, however, that it's very expensive. I'll typically use P21S for weekly cleaning and hit the wheels with Sonax once a month. Last edited by Floridagator; 04-28-2021 at 02:34 PM.. Reason: spelling
	Appreciate 2 Der_Wolf892.00 Autoaddict406.00 Quote

05-09-2021, 11:52 AM	#5
Der_Wolf Lieutenant 892 Rep 566 Posts Drives: 2021 G82 Comp Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0)	I've had a lot of success with Sonax. It's pricey, but it did the best job with my 666M wheels (such a pain to clean) on my F80. Worth every cent. Although like some of the others users mentioned, you could use P21 regularly and sonax once a month or so to save some $$$ __________________ \|2021 M4 Competition\| \|2018 M3 Competition\| \|1994 525i\| ///M
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05-09-2021, 08:40 PM	#6
Saturatedfat Private First Class 191 Rep 143 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Just buy Sonax in bulk 😉
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05-10-2021, 02:13 PM	#8
LuvMyE92 Occasionally frequent poster 3053 Rep 2,764 Posts Drives: CT5V-Blackwing Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: RTP NC, USA iTrader: (0)	P21S is (as noted) resold by BMW and I believe (although I can't prove it) is the same thing sold by Griots. I get the latter on sale. The Sonax, if it's what I think it is, sold under other brand names, works great but absolutely stinks to the heavens. I have the bottle double-wrapped in zip-lock bags, and it still smells up the cabinet that it's in. OMG. Foul. Use the P21S and variants - heck, just use your car washing soap on the wheels - every time you wash the car, which for me is weekly, and the wheels shouldn't get bad enough to require the Sonax. Natch you want to wash the wheels last, if using the same bucket, to avoid getting that nasty stuff on your paint. __________________ Current inventory: F22 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing w/3 pedals, a plastic Chevy & Porsche Soccer Mom car Past: E24,E28(3),E34,E36,E37,E38(2),E39(4),E46,E89,E92 (obviously),F01,F06,F10,F30,F87,G12,G30(2),G82(2)
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05-11-2021, 11:45 AM	#10
BzsBimmer Major General 3426 Rep 6,817 Posts Drives: '23 G80 FO M3 & '23 G05 X5 M50 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nor. Cal iTrader: (32)	Sonax has a pretty strong smell to it for me as well. I don’t remember the smell of P21S but I’d say almost all wheel cleaners have a pretty strong odor.
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05-13-2021, 06:34 AM	#13
SickGTR Banned 1081 Rep 949 Posts Drives: 1000whpGTR/ F-82 YAS Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Dirt Jerz iTrader: (0)	Also, spend the time to clean them good and throw some ceramic on them. A few coats will make cleaning them easier down the road
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