[modat]

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]

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

Try to stay away from acidic cleaners.

[SickGTR]

PS-21

[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.

[Der_Wolf]

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]

Just buy Sonax in bulk 😉

[Vmaxx]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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