WHAT’S THE BEST ALLOY WHEEL CLEANER Alloy wheels are perhaps the most difficult part of a car to clean. They’re so close to the ground and pick up dirt, grease and tar as you drive along. And they get constantly pelted with tiny, hot specks of brake dust which embeds itself into the metal finish.
These tiny iron fragments can be corrosive if left there, and the tough dirt crust is difficult to remove with car shampoo and a sponge. Especially if the alloy wheels have intricate designs, lots of spokes or nooks and crannies where dirt and brake dust can build up.
The best way to get them sparkling again is to use a proper alloy wheel cleaner. These products work by both removing grime and grease and loosening the brake dust so it can be rinsed off.
Originally, many alloy wheel cleaners were acid-based. This dissolved the brake dust particles well but, also meant that they weren’t suitable for all wheel types. Acid cleaners risk damaging the alloy wheels finish, and the same is true of the caustic or alkaline alloy cleaners.
However, newer products are called pH neutral or ‘purple’ cleaners and don’t contain any acid. These products contain an active ingredient that reacts with the iron particles in brake dust, loosening the fragment from the wheel. The formula turns a red or purple colour in the process.