Fantastic (household cleaner) as wheel cleaner?

[RonP]

I ran out of my Meguiar's Wheel Cleaner and in a desperate attempt to clean my wheels I used Fantastic, it did an amazing job. I sprayed it on, let it soak for a minute and then used my wash mit to scrub the wheels.

Any harm in using Fantastic? It worked just as good as my $10 bottle of wheel cleaner for 1/3 the price.

[myzamboni]

I hope not. I use Fantastic Orange for my S-lites.

[kenchan]

just use car shampoo...

[RonP]

I tried the car shampoo and it did not do as good a job as the Fantastic.

[minimort]

I user Fantastic, it's great

[Sissy]

I agree with Kenchan. I use a wheel brush that I bought at Pep Boys along with regular car shampoo. Works for me.

[El_Jefe]

griot's wheel cleaner does an excellent job and isnt bad on the hands and smells really nice. It is also certified safe by a few wheel manufacturers like BBS.

I dont think fantastic fits any of that description above.

I also use a boar's bristle brush. It is key in making it a speedy process. If extra gunked from driving a lot, I go over it once with a sponge to get any last particle out.

Really, to get perfect wheels, a paper towel and quick detailer before you put the car to bed every night or before you go out in the morning. This makes for about 2 mins of work as it comes right off the cleaner they are. I was using windex on my uncle's recommendation for daily use, but octaneguy said that you might as well use quick detailer as it helps repel grime for the next time.

[kenchan]

for commuters i use wax, Griots car shampoo and their boar's hair brush.

for weekend cars, i only use Epic and Slick now a days. no washing.
i only wash the car once or twice a year in Spring time to rid road salt
dust.


clean it before it gets dirty. that's the way to do wheels. but not sure
about using household cleaners.

[Prima Car Care]

Fantastik is such a good cleaner because it is a very strong base (pH around 12 ). Typically, bases are not as harsh (read: potentially damaging) as acids, but they do have to be used with caution (especially when their pH is 12!!). Rinse very well, then rinse again, then maybe again. Also, with a base that strong I personally wouldn't let it sit on my wheels for more than 30 seconds. Doing otherwise could etch them! Although, I honestly wouldn't dare using such a strong chemical on my wheels.

(by the way, the Fantastik Orange is also pH 12 and thus a very strong base... so be careful!!)

It may clean your wheels well but you're risking damage to them by using such a strong chemical. I'd stick to a gentle base or better yet a pH neutral product. Also, waxing the wheels with a durable synthetic wax will make them clean up very easily. Better safe then sorry if you ask me!

-Heather

[discodan]

i use simple green and love it. biodegradeable too

[Prima Car Care]

Originally Posted by discodan

i use simple green and love it. biodegradeable too

Simple Green is also a base but much gentler than Fantastik. (Simple Green has a pH of 9.5 vs Fantastik's pH of a whopping 12) So, you have to still be careful to rinse well and not let it sit on your wheels for too long, but it can be a nice happy medium of effectiveness and only moderate risk.

I still wouldn't use it on my wheels because I prefer to go with pH neutral cleaners. But, many use Simple Green with success. It is nice that it's biodegradable too. Just be careful!

-Heather

[ekim]

Simple Green baby or is it "soilet green"?

[El_Jefe]

people are nuts using anything that isnt 100% car use only. even then some of car only ones arent that great and not so gentle, at least they are better than kitchen cleaners. would you spray simple green on the hood of your mini??

[kenchan]

i think people are nuts using anything else than car shampoo to wash their
wheels.

[Mark C.]

That's because you get to have garage queens that get QD every day j/k

I try to use car shampoo as much as possible too, but I give into the P21S now and again!

Originally Posted by kenchan

i think people are nuts using anything else than car shampoo to wash their
wheels.

[kenchan]

Originally Posted by Mark C.

That's because you get to have garage queens that get QD every day j/k

I try to use car shampoo as much as possible too, but I give into the P21S now and again!

yah, but even for my commuters i only use car shampoo.

when i have stains like after the winter season, i use some
CleanerWax (meguiar's) and polish it off.

[valcom111t]

Griot's Wheel Cleaner is the best thing I've used. Really cleans well, and it certified to be safe.

[kenchan]

Originally Posted by valcom111t

Griot's Wheel Cleaner is the best thing I've used. Really cleans well, and it certified to be safe.

yep, if i had to use one, that would be my choice.

[El_Jefe]

cleanerwax is an EXCELLENT idea !

yeah griot's rox. its cheaper too. I realized ounce for ounce cost wise, griot's is actually cheaper than any brand I have seen. (I think I have seen them all too)