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If you clean your vehicle regularly, you know the importance of washing it from top to bottom. That includes the wheels. Dirty wheels are an eyesore, but clean ones can really make your car pop. Unfortunately, brake dust is a detailer’s nemesis. It can build up and create a nasty film on the wheels that’s unattractive and corrosive. If you’re not sure which is the best wheel cleaner, check out our top picks in the buying guide below.
Your car’s wheels get particularly dirty, and it’s easy to see why. They come into close contact with all manner of road grime, including dirt, mud, and tar. In addition, when you use your brakes, bits of metal and debris from the brake pads accumulate on your wheels. What you end up with are wheels caked and coated with gunk.
Wheel and tire cleaners are specially formulated to remove such contaminants. But without the proper wash, you can rub this debris into the wheels, dulling or damaging the finish. The best wheel cleaners are designed to clean your rims without harming them and leave them looking pristine. Here are some of my favorites.
Our Methodology
I took several factors into consideration to select the best wheel cleaners. I chose products from well-known companies with a reputation for producing high-quality car care equipment. Since I didn’t have the opportunity to hand-test every item, I examined user feedback to see how these products operate in real-world conditions. I also chose wheel cleaners in a range of prices in order to suit a variety of budgets. I avoided multipurpose cleaners and focused on products that are specifically designed to clean different wheel surfaces. The aim was to pick products that perform the best, are the easiest to use, and provide the longest-lasting shine.
Summary List
- Best Overall: Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner
- Best Value: Armor All Extreme Wheel and Tire Cleaner
- Honorable Mention: Adam’s Deep Wheel Cleaner
- Best for Heavy Brake Dust: Meguiars Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner
- Most Eco-Friendly: Adam’s Eco Wheel Cleaner
- Honorable Mention: Eagle One All Wheel & Tire Triple Cleaning Foam
Best Wheel Cleaners: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner
Best Value
Armor All Extreme Wheel and Tire Cleaner
Honorable Mention
Adam’s Deep Wheel Cleaner
Best for Heavy Brake Dust
Meguiar's Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner
Most Eco Friendly
Adam's Eco Wheel Cleaner
Honorable Mention
Eagle One All Wheel & Tire Triple Cleaning Foam Spray
Our Verdict on the Best Wheel Cleaners
My pick for the best overall wheel cleaner is the Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner. It does a great job of removing wheel dust, and it changes color as it dissolves contaminants, demonstrating its effectiveness. It’s also compatible with a variety of different finishes. For a more budget-friendly option, consider the Armor All Extreme Wheel and Tire Cleaner.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
A: Rinse it off with a high-pressure water hose and let the wheels dry. You may have to use some elbow grease to loosen up the dirt before you rinse it off.
A: Some cleaners are safe for engines. However, check the product details to make sure your preferred cleaner won’t harm or damage any components.
A: Some wheel cleaners can also be used as rust removers. For the best results, use a dedicated rust remover, which may include a stronger formula.
A: Not all wheel cleaners are created equally, so it’s important to look at several factors before making a final purchasing decision. First, you must decide whether you want a formula that does the work for you without any scrubbing or one that requires a little work with a sponge or rage. The latter may require more work, but it may also produce more effective results, particularly on extra-dirty wheels. You must also consider how easy it is to apply the cleanser as well as its chemical composition, so you know exactly what you’re putting on your wheels to spiff them up.
A: Wheel cleaning products can be less than $10 or close to $20, depending on the brand. Some items are less expensive but come in smaller bottles, so they don’t last as long and you need to buy replacements more often.
