Auto-Wheel is a non-acid, non-alkaline alloy wheel cleaner, and in most cases, no agitation is required. In most cases, steel and alloy wheels are either lacquered or painted. These coatings protect the metallic surface from corrosion and provide attractive finishes to automotive road wheels. As vehicles brake, the dust generated from pads, discs and drums is at elevated temperatures. Amongst this hot cloud are thousands of hot metallic particles. These bombard the wheel’s finish and effectively embed themselves there. Once lodged these particles are extremely difficult to remove. Acid-based alloy wheel cleaners attack the metal particles effectively, reducing their size and allowing the particles and clinging dirt to escape. Caustic alloy cleaners are less effective than acid ones on brake dust, but can attack organic coatings such as lacquers and paints on short exposure. They attack any organic matter accumulated around the embedded particles and produce a seemingly clean surface, however with continued use they will dull and diminish the coating, leaving a wheel surface that needs refinishing. Auto-Wheel’s formulation reacts with the oxidising surface of the metallic particles, rendering it water-soluble. The rapid removal of this microscopically rusted surface reduces the embedded particle size and releases the particles from the surface. Unlike acid-based alloy wheel cleaners, this method is harmless to the wheel’s finish. The reaction can be observed by a rapid colour change from clear to deep red. After a simple hose, rinse down or jetwash, it leaves the wheel spotless.
