Alloy Cleaner
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- Posts: 20
- Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2015 7:55 pm
- I drive a: GT 2.0 TDI 170/184
- In: Candy White
- With a: Manual box
Alloy Cleaner
Can anyone recommend a spray on cleaner? My alloys are a mess at the moment!!
Thanks
Thanks
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- Posts: 382
- Joined: Mon Apr 27, 2015 1:31 pm
- I drive a: 2.0 TDI 140
- In: Candy White
- With a: DSG box
- Location: Somewhere out there.....
Re: Alloy Cleaner
Try something like ValetPro Dragons Breath or Iron X. They're not dedicated wheel cleaners but can work miracles on wheels.
I'm a fan on Dragons Breath as it's a bit thicker than Iron X and therefore clings better to the wheels.
I'm a fan on Dragons Breath as it's a bit thicker than Iron X and therefore clings better to the wheels.
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- Posts: 20
- Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2015 7:55 pm
- I drive a: GT 2.0 TDI 170/184
- In: Candy White
- With a: Manual box
Re: Alloy Cleaner
Paddy_R wrote:Try something like ValetPro Dragons Breath or Iron X. They're not dedicated wheel cleaners but can work miracles on wheels.
I'm a fan on Dragons Breath as it's a bit thicker than Iron X and therefore clings better to the wheels.
Cheers.
what site do you get it from?
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- Posts: 382
- Joined: Mon Apr 27, 2015 1:31 pm
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- Location: Somewhere out there.....
Re: Alloy Cleaner
Clean you car is pretty good as is ultimate finish or polished bliss. They would be the main ones I use.
- Shaun1982
- Posts: 959
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- Location: N.E.Lincs
Re: Alloy Cleaner
There's also csp iron reactivefe which I find pretty good, it's available in a thicker gel too which is still sprayable & helps for wheels etc. If you don't want to take the plunge & buy something then give clean your ride or sample this a go, not used sample this but I can vouch for clean your rides service.
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- I drive a: GT 2.0 TSI
- In: Rising Blue
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Re: Alloy Cleaner
I have been using a non branded version of a detailer near me called The Polishing Booth - get a litre with spray for a £10 and is the business, have even used it on the paintwork prior to clay to remove all the contaminants..

- AlanH
- Posts: 161
- Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2015 5:18 pm
- I drive a: 1.4 TSI 160
- In: Deep Black
- With a: Manual box
Re: Alloy Cleaner
There's also Autobrites Purple Rain. (Not a dedicated cleaner) and Autosmart Smart Wheels which is very good
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Mine: Scirocco 1.4TSi
Others: Fabia MC BE, Citigo BE
Mods: OE sunshades, LED interior/exterior lights, Dectane rear clusters, K&N panel filter, Milltek catbak NR, 35mm H&R springs, 98RON REVO Stage 1, HP Dashcam
Others: Fabia MC BE, Citigo BE
Mods: OE sunshades, LED interior/exterior lights, Dectane rear clusters, K&N panel filter, Milltek catbak NR, 35mm H&R springs, 98RON REVO Stage 1, HP Dashcam
- charliegilmanuk
- Posts: 203
- Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2015 8:58 am
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- In: Deep Black
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- Location: Cornwall
Re: Alloy Cleaner
Autobrite's Purple Rain is a fallout remover, not really wheel specific.
Try Autobrite's Very Cherry wheel cleaner (either acid or non-acid), 500ml costs £8 but will dilute with water to a ratio of 10:1, effectively giving you 5 litres.
Try Autobrite's Very Cherry wheel cleaner (either acid or non-acid), 500ml costs £8 but will dilute with water to a ratio of 10:1, effectively giving you 5 litres.
Re: Alloy Cleaner
As others have pointed out, iron x, purple rain etc are iron fallout products. These should be used second stage.
1. Jet off the wheels to remove loose containments.
2. Spray on an alkaline based wheel cleaner such as Auto-finesse Imperial (available from AF, Amazon, Polished Bliss etc).
3. Leave to dwell, then gently agitate to carefully remove the worse of the dirt.
4. Jet off, and spray on fall-out - immediately jet off.
5. Use a general purpose cleaner to ensure all wheel cleaner and fall out product has been removed. (I like autobrite's banana gloss, which is particularly good in avoiding sealant/wax removal. When it comes to dedicated wheel cleaners, Imperial is reputed to be fairly easy on sealant, as well. Personally, I would steer clear of any acid based products, and even try to avoid even alkaline products, to protect any applied sealants/waxes).
1. Jet off the wheels to remove loose containments.
2. Spray on an alkaline based wheel cleaner such as Auto-finesse Imperial (available from AF, Amazon, Polished Bliss etc).
3. Leave to dwell, then gently agitate to carefully remove the worse of the dirt.
4. Jet off, and spray on fall-out - immediately jet off.
5. Use a general purpose cleaner to ensure all wheel cleaner and fall out product has been removed. (I like autobrite's banana gloss, which is particularly good in avoiding sealant/wax removal. When it comes to dedicated wheel cleaners, Imperial is reputed to be fairly easy on sealant, as well. Personally, I would steer clear of any acid based products, and even try to avoid even alkaline products, to protect any applied sealants/waxes).
- charliegilmanuk
- Posts: 203
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Re: Alloy Cleaner
Think you mean citrus wash (APC) not banana gloss (shampoo)?moulin12 wrote: 5. Use a general purpose cleaner to ensure all wheel cleaner and fall out product has been removed. (I like autobrite's banana gloss, which is particularly good in avoiding sealant/wax removal. When it comes to dedicated wheel cleaners, Imperial is reputed to be fairly easy on sealant, as well. Personally, I would steer clear of any acid based products, and even try to avoid even alkaline products, to protect any applied sealants/waxes).

I would personally leave fallout remover to dwell for at least 2 minutes though, rather than jet wash off immediately like you said.
Re: Alloy Cleaner
You could use citrus power or the like as part of the first stages, but I think you need a neutral APC for the final stage?
Re fallout, I've found that it very quickly inactivates (whereas I would leave tar remover on for several minutes).
Re fallout, I've found that it very quickly inactivates (whereas I would leave tar remover on for several minutes).
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- I drive a: GT 2.0 TDI 140/150
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- With a: Manual box
Re: Alloy Cleaner
I highly rate iron x
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- Posts: 201
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Re: Alloy Cleaner
Hi
FWIW I use the following products / routine
General clean - AutoFinnese imperial at the appropriate dilution (see the bottle) let it dwell (sit on the wheels) for a few minutes then agitate with wheel woolies - as stated these are expensive but once you've used them you'll wonder how you got on before them
Wash off with a hose and I have a second noodle for wheels (never use your paint mitt/noodle on wheels) for finishing off. Then dry with a waffle weave towel specific for wheels (see paint comment above)
Weekly quick wash I use power maxed TFR (traffic film remover) quick spray and hose off - on clean wheels it really is this easy but again use WW's
Use a dedicated iron remover about once a month / 6 weeks. Apply this after a clean, leave for five to ten then hose off - simples I've tried AF, DRragons Breath & Sonax - all much of a muchnessbut they all STINK !
Protect - every couple of months I put a coat of high temperature wax on the wheels - I favour FinishKare FTP1000 which gives a good long lasting easy wipe surface it's simple to apply & pretty cheap as far as cleaning products are concerned
Annually I take each wheel off, clay the inside, apply a solid coat of wax & thoroughly de gunk the wheel arches & suspension struts - this is a bit OCD but my wife has horses so I have plenty of time on my hands !!
FWIW I use the following products / routine
General clean - AutoFinnese imperial at the appropriate dilution (see the bottle) let it dwell (sit on the wheels) for a few minutes then agitate with wheel woolies - as stated these are expensive but once you've used them you'll wonder how you got on before them
Wash off with a hose and I have a second noodle for wheels (never use your paint mitt/noodle on wheels) for finishing off. Then dry with a waffle weave towel specific for wheels (see paint comment above)
Weekly quick wash I use power maxed TFR (traffic film remover) quick spray and hose off - on clean wheels it really is this easy but again use WW's
Use a dedicated iron remover about once a month / 6 weeks. Apply this after a clean, leave for five to ten then hose off - simples I've tried AF, DRragons Breath & Sonax - all much of a muchnessbut they all STINK !
Protect - every couple of months I put a coat of high temperature wax on the wheels - I favour FinishKare FTP1000 which gives a good long lasting easy wipe surface it's simple to apply & pretty cheap as far as cleaning products are concerned
Annually I take each wheel off, clay the inside, apply a solid coat of wax & thoroughly de gunk the wheel arches & suspension struts - this is a bit OCD but my wife has horses so I have plenty of time on my hands !!

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Re: Alloy Cleaner
So far, I've tried a few products, but Somax's extreme wheel cleaner plus is absolutely phenomenally good. It's expensive compared to the others, but you get what you pay for. Doesn't react with your discs either.