Meguiar's Gold Class Instant Wheel Cleaner

[M Wood]

I own a 1986 Mercedes Benz 300E with factory clear coatwheels. I used Meguair's Gold Class Instant Wheel Cleaner (claimed to be "Safe for factory clearcoated or cheome wheels") once on the wheels to remove the brake dust in the vent openings. I sprayed the cleaner into the vent holes in the outer rim of the wheels and the cleaner ran out and down the wheel face. I imediately sprayed off the wheels with water but it was too late.The face of the clearcoated wheels were etched by the wheel cleaner, resulting in grey dribble marks running down the face of the wheel.
Has anyone had the same experience? If so, what did you do to correct the damage?

[Ferdman]

Try some polish ... use a fine polish first. If unsuccessful proceed to a more aggressive polish even a polishing compound if necessary to restore the wheel finish. Recommend Meguiar's Cleaner/Wax for the first attempt. That's what I use to maintain the appearance of wheels.

[dolebludger]

Hopefully, what you have here is not "etching" but dried on soap scum. Was it hot and sunny where and when you cleaned your wheels? My son-in-law was at our house a couple of days ago and washed his SUV in the sun and the heat. Got verticle car wash soap streaks all over it. A good rinsing with a boars' hair brush did the trick.

Hope this helps,
Richard

[Alex]

No, Richard, it's not soap scum. I did the same thing many years ago on my then new Porsche wheels. Have not trusted wheel cleaners since. Soap and water does it.

[DJ de Jesus]

Happened to my 560SL wheels except with Bleche White brake dust cleaner. Cursing all creation, I then very quickly applied Meguire's cleaner wax which I had handy. It worked after 2 applications.

[tiggerfink]

I own a 1986 Mercedes Benz 300E with factory clear coatwheels. I used Meguair's Gold Class Instant Wheel Cleaner (claimed to be "Safe for factory clearcoated or cheome wheels") once on the wheels to remove the brake dust in the vent openings. I sprayed the cleaner into the vent holes in the outer rim of the wheels and the cleaner ran out and down the wheel face. I imediately sprayed off the wheels with water but it was too late.The face of the clearcoated wheels were etched by the wheel cleaner, resulting in grey dribble marks running down the face of the wheel.
Has anyone had the same experience? If so, what did you do to correct the damage?

I think that is what damaged my wheels. Dealer gave me new wheels. After that incident, I never use any wheel cleaner and do not let the dealer wash my cars.

[M Wood]

Unfortunately the clearcoat and paint is etched. A Meguiar's representative could not buff out the damage, therefore, as agreed by the representative, the wheels have to be replaced or refinished at a cost of $2,000 or $ 1,000. Meguiar's claims no responsibility even though the label on the spray bottle states "Safe for factory clearcoated or chrome wheels." They claim that cleaning should be done only one wheel at a time. I guess it's OK to ruin one wheel before one realizes the wheel cleaner is corosive enough to ruin the clearcoat and paint.
M Wood
1986 300E
:mad:

[tiggerfink]

I have seen too many people damage their wheels by using Mequiars wheel products. I learned to call the manufacture of what damage their products may cause. Mequiairs informed me that the tire shine product might discolor the wheels. So I use Optimum protectant plus on my tires.

[Ferdman]

To keep tires looking new and protected from the sun's UV rays use 303 Protectant applied with a detail sponge. Lightly spray a small amount of 303 Protectant on the detail sponge and apply to the tire. A small amount goes a long way ... use sparingly, better too little than too much. I buy 303 Protectant at a local boat store.

[marlinspike]

Meguiar's wheel cleaner stripped the paint on the wheels of my 85 380SE (which would have been fine if it was thorough and uniform, instead it looks like...well you know). It also bleached my driveway. The only wheel cleaner worth trusting is P21S.
Richard

[marlinspike]

Isn't 303 silcone based? Perhaps I'm thinking of something else, but if it is, silicone based products brown tires. Water based tire shine products are the only way to go, and even then you want to degrease the tire with a citrus degreaser before you shine.
Richard

[uberwgn]

Some of the OTC wheel cleaners are way too strong (acid-based) and can do damage - - no question about it. Another problem I've witnessed is that the wheel cleaner gets under the clearcoat (where the wheel has been curbed/scratched) and that represents a major problem as you can't rinse it and it continues to lift the clearcoat over time. :(


A couple of mild wheel cleaners I use are the Griot's product or the P21S regular strength...the latter is approved by MBz. Griot's carries BBS's approval.

Stay away from the strong cleaners if your wheels are in less-than-perfect condition. ;)



Other options: Michelin's Brake Dust repellant or lo-dust/dustless pads.

[dolebludger]

marlinspike:

303 is NOT silicone based. I second the post above about its excellence as a tire dressing. Nice matte finish. Long lasting. And looks better with each repeat application. The SP 40 UV protection retards tire sidewall cracking, just like it does on the dash and interior componets. 303 actually soaks into rubber, vinyl, and leather. Apply it, allow it a few minutes to soak in, and then buff it and gives a "dry" finish that does not attract dust.

That being said, I personally don't use 303 on painted and clear coated surfaces. Oh, it does no damage. It's just that 303 can't soak into such surfaces and, even after much buffing, can still leave a surfave that is not "dry" and attracts dust.

BTW, I just poured out a bottle of Meguair's Gold Class Instant Wheel Cleaner! Because I followed advice I received on this board and bought a boars' hair wheel cleaning brush, I can clean the wheels with regular car wash solution just fine, and safely.

Thanks,
Richard :) :) :)

[Allen]

I simply use "Mean Green" cleaner to wit you can find most anywhere, it cuts through brake dust nicely and has not ruined my wheels on anything. It also works well to clean engine. It doesn't take much to do the job. Just out of curiousity's sake, have you guys ever tried "Bug Be Gone"? I really like it, it melts the big fat beach bugs away!

[Ferdman]

Sherrill, is it Simple Green that you use on wheels? Never heard of Mean Green.

[dolebludger]

Actually, I've come to use the same car wash detergent I use on the car on the wheels too. I apply it in solution per directions via a pump-up 1 gal. garden sprayer, which works nicely. This seems to work on the wheels about as well as anything else, believe it or not. Someone on this board recommended a boars' hair brush for wheel cleaning. I got one and it works great, and minimizes the need for stronger detergents.

Thanks,
Richard

[Allen]

Fred,
It's not simple green, but simply Mean Green. I like it. It's manufactured in South Carolina, so it may be a "regional" thing where availability is concerned. Where are you?

[Ferdman]

Sherrill, I'm in southeastern PA.

[VA5-0]

I purchased my 300D 4 months ago and I swear the wheels had not been cleaned since it left Germany. I tried every "wheel cleaning" product to no avail. Today, while under the kitchen sink, I saw a few Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. They are white sponge-like foam bars that will clean just about anything I have tried them on. I thought I would give them a try on the accumulated brake dust. Was I ever thrilled!!! No elbow grease required either. Those things cut right through years of baked on brake dust like nothing I have tried. I cannot say how thrilled I was with the product or the results.

[Arn560]

Well then what's the stuff in the $100 bucket of detailing things that "The Collection" sells?
I think it is Meguiars wheel cleaner. I just use gold class car wash!

[tiggerfink]

Stay away from Meguiar's wheel cleaners. I have experienced last year that it will destroy the surface of your wheels.

[M Wood]

Re: Damage Caused by Meguiar's Instant Wheel Cleaner
My claim for the damage I alledge was caused by Meguiar's Instant Wheel Cleaner has now been resolved to my satisfaction. The terms of the resolution binds me from revealing the details.
M Wood.

[marlinspike]

Dang, I wish I had thought to get on them for what their product did to my wheels. I hope every single one of the *******s at Meguiar's burns in *#*#*#*# for marketing a product they apparently know damages wheels.