Hot Rims ALL Wheel cleaner? Painted wheels?

[james1300]

'Meguiar's Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner'
Is this 'safe' on painted wheels?
I have a set of KMC black painted wheels.
I tried it on them today. It left a haze. Like a dirty wheel after driving through a lite rain.
It wiped off. But, I don't know why it left a haze?
Does Meguiar's make a 'better' product for 'painted surface' wheel cleaning?

[Murr1525]

Re: Hot Rims ALL Wheel cleaner? Painted wheels?

Are they clear coated? Did you use any brush or anything?

[james1300]

Re: Hot Rims ALL Wheel cleaner? Painted wheels?

Are they clear coated? Did you use any brush or anything?

No. No brush. I used a micro-fiber mitt and 'Detail' Car wash.
I rinsed the wheel to get any 'chunks' off. Then, applied the 'Meguiar's Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner'. Waited a few moments then, rinsed.
'The wheel cleaner left a haze". YUCK!
I soaped up using 'Meguiar's 'Detail car wash soap. I washed then, dried using a micro-fiber towel.

[Murr1525]

Re: Hot Rims ALL Wheel cleaner? Painted wheels?

Sounds odd, never had that before on stock wheels if I agitated the wheel cleaner some.

But the Aluminum Wheel Wash is also clear coat safe, and a bit milder than the All Wheel.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Hot Rims ALL Wheel cleaner? Painted wheels?

Are you sure these wheels are painted and not powder coated? All Wheel Cleaner is safe on all factory wheels and aftermarket painted wheels too, but it's not safe on powdercoat.

It is also important to spray onto a cool wheel, let dwell for just 15 to 20 seconds before agitating and fully rinsing off. Never allow it to self dry on the surface, don't just wipe it off, and don't spray all 4 wheels in succession and then start agitating the first wheel. One wheel at a time, start to finish.

[james1300]

Re: Hot Rims ALL Wheel cleaner? Painted wheels?

Are you sure these wheels are painted and not powder coated? All Wheel Cleaner is safe on all factory wheels and aftermarket painted wheels too, but it's not safe on powdercoat.

It is also important to spray onto a cool wheel, let dwell for just 15 to 20 seconds before agitating and fully rinsing off. Never allow it to self dry on the surface, don't just wipe it off, and don't spray all 4 wheels in succession and then start agitating the first wheel. One wheel at a time, start to finish.

These are KMC wheels. There should be a WARNING on the bottle if the product isnt safe for powdercoated surfaces. There isnt.
'All Wheel Cleaner', isnt for ALL wheels.
The wheels where at 50 degrees and pre-rinsed prior to applying product.
I Never let any wheel cleaner 'self dry'.

" There should be a WARNING on the bottle if the product isnt safe for powdercoated surfaces". There isnt.

I'm throwing this stuff out. If theres even a chance I could harm my expensive wheels using this unmarked/miss labeled 'Meguiar's' product
its not worth it.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Hot Rims ALL Wheel cleaner? Painted wheels?

The front of the bottle clearly states:

"Safe on ALL factory-coated wheel types"

The main description on the back of the bottle specifically references Factory Wheel Surfaces three separate times.

Under the "DIRECTIONS" section of the back label it states:

"Not safe on motorcycle wheels or aftermarket brake components"

Step 7 of the instructions on the back of the bottle states:

"Do not use on anodized, magnesium, un-coated, or powder-coated wheels"

There are several warnings on the bottle.


And if we understand you fully here, the haze wiped off and there is no damage to the wheels, right? But in the end you've got a product that you paid for but really can't use on your wheels, so you're out the cost of the product. Well, we certainly don't see that as a good thing at all, and we'd be happy to replace that product with our Hot Rims Aluminum Wheel Cleaner, which is completely safe to use on your wheels. If you'd be so kind as to PM me your full name and shipping address I can get that product out to you ASAP.

[Chubbz91]

Re: Hot Rims ALL Wheel cleaner? Painted wheels?

Wow thats nice of you Michael. I have a painted aluminum alloy I believe painted gold and i sprayed two coats of clear coat on it. I use the All Wheel Cleaner several times and love it. I may just try the Aluminum wheel cleaner just for the hell of it

[Murr1525]

Re: Hot Rims ALL Wheel cleaner? Painted wheels?

I use the Aluminum Wheel Cleaner all the time, seems to work just fine with a little agitation.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Hot Rims ALL Wheel cleaner? Painted wheels?

An important thing to keep in mind when selecting the Aluminum Wheel Cleaner - it is designed to be safe even on bare, high polished aluminum, which is incredibly delicate material. So if it's safe there, how powerful do you think the cleaners will be in it? Right, not super strong. So if you've got badly embedded brake dust, don't expect to just spray some Aluminum Wheel Cleaner on it and rinse away all the grime. That's just part of the price you pay for running wheels with a delicate finish - upkeep is harder.

[james1300]

Re: Hot Rims ALL Wheel cleaner? Painted wheels?

The front of the bottle clearly states:

"Safe on ALL factory-coated wheel types"

The main description on the back of the bottle specifically references Factory Wheel Surfaces three separate times.

Under the "DIRECTIONS" section of the back label it states:

"Not safe on motorcycle wheels or aftermarket brake components"

Step 7 of the instructions on the back of the bottle states:

"Do not use on anodized, magnesium, un-coated, or powder-coated wheels"

There are several warnings on the bottle.


And if we understand you fully here, the haze wiped off and there is no damage to the wheels, right? But in the end you've got a product that you paid for but really can't use on your wheels, so you're out the cost of the product. Well, we certainly don't see that as a good thing at all, and we'd be happy to replace that product with our Hot Rims Aluminum Wheel Cleaner, which is completely safe to use on your wheels. If you'd be so kind as to PM me your full name and shipping address I can get that product out to you ASAP.

No I'm not happy. But, its my own fault.
How does "Not safe for motorcycle wheels or aftermarket brake componets", apply?
There is NO STEP 7 on the bottle. But there IS a step 6.
"For anodized, magnesium, un-coated or powdercoated wheels, use Meguiar's Hot Rims Aluminum Wheel Cleaner". No 'WARNING'. Just a statement.
So? Where did the haze come from? I don't know. I had used Meguiar's
paste wax on them to protect the finish. Maybe the "Hot Rims 'All Wheel cleaner" stripped the wax off?

My KMC wheels are painted. I called Tire Rack. They in turn checked with KMC.

KMC wants me to use 'mild soap and water'. So, thats what I'll be using.

"Not safe on motorcycle wheels or aftermarket brake components"
How does this apply to a automotive wheel? It doesnt. If it supposed to be a WARNING then, it needs to state, "Not for use on powdercoated surfaces".

"Step 7 of the instructions on the back of the bottle states:"

"Do not use on anodized, magnesium, un-coated, or powder-coated wheels"

There is NO STEP 7 on the bottle. But there IS a step 6.
"For anodized, magnesium, un-coated or powdercoated wheels, use Meguiar's Hot Rims Aluminum Wheel Cleaner". No 'WARNING'. Just a statement.

There are NOT several warnings on the bottle. There are vague statements. Some not relating to automotive wheels at all.

[Chubbz91]

Re: Hot Rims ALL Wheel cleaner? Painted wheels?

Yeah I forgot to clean my wheels before putting them away for the winter so as I read in another forum using a paint brush to loosen brake dust and other things and aluminum wheel cleaner should be a good combo

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Hot Rims ALL Wheel cleaner? Painted wheels?

No I'm not happy. But, its my own fault.
How does "Not safe for motorcycle wheels or aftermarket brake componets", apply?
There is NO STEP 7 on the bottle. But there IS a step 6.
"For anodized, magnesium, un-coated or powdercoated wheels, use Meguiar's Hot Rims Aluminum Wheel Cleaner". No 'WARNING'. Just a statement.
So? Where did the haze come from? I don't know. I had used Meguiar's
paste wax on them to protect the finish. Maybe the "Hot Rims 'All Wheel cleaner" stripped the wax off?

My KMC wheels are painted. I called Tire Rack. They in turn checked with KMC.

KMC wants me to use 'mild soap and water'. So, thats what I'll be using.

"Not safe on motorcycle wheels or aftermarket brake components"
How does this apply to a automotive wheel? It doesnt. If it supposed to be a WARNING then, it needs to state, "Not for use on powdercoated surfaces".

"Step 7 of the instructions on the back of the bottle states:"

"Do not use on anodized, magnesium, un-coated, or powder-coated wheels"

There is NO STEP 7 on the bottle. But there IS a step 6.
"For anodized, magnesium, un-coated or powdercoated wheels, use Meguiar's Hot Rims Aluminum Wheel Cleaner". No 'WARNING'. Just a statement.

There are NOT several warnings on the bottle. There are vague statements. Some not relating to automotive wheels at all.

Well, you aren't going to like this response, but you have an old bottle in your possession. Attached is an image of the current (three years old, at least) label on a bottle of All Wheel Cleaner:



Everything we stated above is clearly written on the bottle. It also states to read wheel manufacturer care guidlines before using this product. Now, I don't have an earlier label that matches the one you have, but I do have one that is even older. It, too, states to check with wheel manufacturer guidlines, not to use on powder-coat, etc.

And really, flat out telling you to use a different product on powder-coat, polished, magnesium, etc is not vague - it's telling you to you something else, not this!

Regardless, the most important aspect of all this is that, in fact, the product did NOT damage your wheels. Not at all. Did it strip the wax? Absolutely. But it damage your wheels? Apparently not. And what does the wheel manufacturer recommend? Soap and water, apparently.

[james1300]

Re: Hot Rims ALL Wheel cleaner? Painted wheels?

This bottle was purchased LAST month from Schucks/Orielly Auto Parts.

[james1300]

Re: Hot Rims ALL Wheel cleaner? Painted wheels?

So your saying you have 3 year old product still being sold to the public without the proper WARNING's?
Thanks but, "No Thanks".