Acid Wheel Cleaner vs Non-Acid: Which Is Better?
Acid wheel cleaner has been in use for many years due to its rapid action. It has the ability to clean tough stains like brake dust, mineral deposits, and road film that cannot be effectively cleaned using normal soap.
However, fast does not necessarily equate to being safe. Wheels made from certain types of metal and with different coatings may corrode easily in the presence of such acid-based cleaners. In addition, the problem is even worse when these cleaners are allowed to dry on the surface of the wheel.
So which is the best between the two; acid or non-acid wheel cleaner? Well, this actually depends on various factors including the type of wheels and the degree of their contamination.
What Is Acid Wheel Cleaner and How Does It Work?
An acid wheel cleaner is a potent cleaning product designed to clean wheels of stubborn contaminants. It is typically applied to wheels with baked-on brake dust, salts from the roads, hard water spots, and other grime which has accumulated over a long time period.
Its effectiveness is because of the following fact. Acid wheel cleaners target mineral deposits and metal contaminants left behind on the wheel surface. This makes them ideal for use on neglected wheels with brake dust that appears crusty or brownish in color.
However, there is a drawback. Acid-based cleaners are aggressive towards certain wheel coatings. Such wheels as polished aluminum, anodized rims, chipped paint or clear coat, chrome or custom-coated wheels require careful handling because prolonged exposure or drying under the sun can lead to stains and etching.
Non-acidic wheel cleaners have their own approach towards the removal of dirt. Unlike highly acidic formulas that tend to attack grime with the use of acid, others apply surfactants, degreasers or iron reaction. Thus, non-acidic wheel cleaners become more appropriate for routine maintenance because even when extra dwell time or some agitation is required, these products are relatively safe to handle.
Rim Reactor is one of those non-acidic products designed for cleaning dirty wheels, brake dust and heavy grime without aggressive effects that might occur due to application of an acid-based wheel cleaner.
What You’ll Need for acid wheel cleaner
- Rim Reactor Wheel Cleaner
- Microfiber towel
- Wheel brush
- Details brush for cleaning lug nuts and tightly-spaced wheels
- Clean source of water or a hose
- Nitrile gloves
- Tire brush if you are also going to clean the tires
How to Use acid wheel cleaner Step-by-Step
Step 1 – Check the Wheel Finish
Always make sure you know how difficult the wheel will be to clean prior to applying any chemical cleaner. Clear coat alloy wheels are much easier to clean than raw aluminum, polished surfaces, damaged chrome plating, or paint jobs on the wheels.
Testing a small section in an inconspicuous spot is always advised. This becomes especially important when considering the application of acid-based cleaners.
Step 2 – Rinse Off Loose Dirt
Rinse the wheel with water to reduce any debris. This step reduces the risk of scratching when cleaning the wheels.
Start at the top of the wheel and work downwards. Spray on the wheel, including inside the barrel, around lug nuts and if possible behind the spokes.
Step 3 – Apply Rim Reactor
Spray Rim Reactor evenly on the cold wheel surface. Spray the entire surface, including spokes, lug nut pockets, and dirty areas where brake dust settles.
Wait a little while before proceeding. Be careful not to allow the wheel cleaner to dry. Tip: Work only one wheel at a time to avoid problems.
Step 4 – Agitate the Dirty Areas
Agitation is done with a soft brush for the wheel surface, and a smaller brush for detail work. Brake dust is usually present close to lug nuts, valve stem, spoke edges, and inner wheel barrels.
There is no need to scrub very hard. Let the wheel cleaner do the bulk of the job. The brushing is to break the remaining material free.
Step 5 – Rinse and Dry
Rinse the wheel thoroughly. It should now look clean. Be careful that there are no residues of cleaner left in lug holes or in brake caliper locations.
Pat the wheel dry using a microfiber towel. Water marks will be avoided and you will be able to examine the wheel finish.
Tips to Prevent Problems
The best approach is to keep the wheels cleaned to prevent the brake dust from bonding with the paint or coating. The brake dust is hot, abrasive, and metallic. If it remains on your wheels, there is a likelihood that it will bond with the surface of the wheel, making the cleaning process even harder.
If you drive regularly, clean your wheels every one to two weeks. For drivers of cars with performance brakes or European brake pads, it may be necessary to clean their wheels on a more frequent basis.
Do not clean your wheels if they are still warm because the heat will make the cleaning product evaporate. You should always work under shade, clean each wheel individually and ensure thorough rinsing.
Use soft materials and brushes when cleaning your wheels. An abrasive brush will cause scratches on your wheel's clear coat, giving dust particles more spots to cling to. Microfiber towels, soft wheel brushes, and detail brushes will do a better job when used regularly.
A wheel protectant or a ceramic coating might help as well. They create a slippery surface that prevents the dust particles from sticking easily. However, you will still have to clean your wheels regularly.
FAQ About acid wheel cleaner
Is acid wheel cleaner safe for all wheels?
No. Acid wheel cleaner does not go well with certain wheel finishes such as polished aluminum, compromised clear coat, anodized wheels, and even some chrome wheels.
When should I use an acid wheel cleaner?
An acid wheel cleaner should only be used if your wheels have suffered from neglect for a while and other wheel cleaners do not provide enough strength to clean away the mess.
Is non-acid wheel cleaner strong enough for brake dust?
For typical brake dust and road grime, yes. If your wheels suffer a lot from brake dust, you will need a non-acid wheel cleaner, a couple of minutes of waiting time, and a bit of scrubbing.
Can acid wheel cleaner damage tires or brakes?
Misuse of the product can lead to problems. Any powerful cleaner should not be let dry up on tires, brake pads, exposed metal surfaces, and wheels' hardware.
What is better for weekly wheel cleaning?
No. You should choose a non-acid wheel cleaner for this purpose. It will give you better control and allow avoiding the risk of damaging wheel finish.
Conclusion
The acid wheel cleaner is quite strong but not necessarily the product you should reach out to first. It is recommended to keep it aside until the situation calls for it.
Rim Reactor is more suited for cleaning standard levels of brake dust and road grime on your wheels. Just spray on cool wheels, leave it be for a bit, and then gently brush off and rinse.
| # | Anchor | URL | Type |
| 1 | Rim Reactor | https://carfidant.com/products/rim-reactor | Product |
| 2 | best-wheel-and-tire-cleaner-rim-reactor | https://carfidant.com › blogs › news › best-wheel-and-tire-cleaner-rim-reactor | Internal |
| 3 | iron-remover-car-guide-how-use | https://carfidant.com › blogs › car-care-tips › iron-remover-car-guide-how-use | Internal |
| 4 | iron-remover-guide | https://carfidant.com › blogs › news › iron-remover-guide | Internal |
