Hot Rims All wheel and tire cleaner question

[Notplayn]

I use Meguiars waxes, plastic cleaners, tire dressing, etc. However I've held off on wheel and tire cleaners because I've always used Eagle A to Z and been very happy. I ran out and found hot rims aw&tc on sale and bought it. My issue is this, I have seven vehicles I own and detail. One has a set of true forged wheels chrome ring painted centered and the rest are clear coated, painted or chrome. I have always been able to use A to Z on all of them, can I do the same with the aw&tc ? Does anyone know if the aw&tc is stronger, the same or weaker than A to Z? None are bare aluminum.

[Detailing by M]

It should be fine. The only thing you don't want to user it on is bare aluminum or anodized. Do a test spot first to make sure

[Notplayn]

Re: Hot Rims All wheel and tire cleaner question

Hoping Michael S will chime in. ��

[Detailing by M]

Re: Hot Rims All wheel and tire cleaner question

what else do you want to know?
Hot rims is a "gental" acid

[Notplayn]

Re: Hot Rims All wheel and tire cleaner question

With respect "it should be fine" isn't the answer I'm looking for. I don't want to be one of those guys that comes on here and says this product f'd up my wheels and then gets accused of doing something wrong. The A to Z works on all wheels, aluminum, anodized, etc. "All wheels" ( which in my opinion is wrongly labeled) shouldn't be used on this and that. Just looking for the straight info on this product. 96 percent of my cleaning products are meguiars and this stuff looks like it foams well and I just need more info.

[Detailing by M]

Re: Hot Rims All wheel and tire cleaner question

DO A TEST SPOT.
No one will tell you it's ok for your specific application.
I wouldn't hesitate using it one bit.
I'm sure the Eagle stuff isn't even an acid and just a strong cleaner. It's a consumer product.
So the AWTC is a little stronger then that crud.
I use Wheel Brightener, the strongest acid out there on 99% of the rims I come across. AND I DO A TEST SPOT ON EVER RIM.

[Brian Hann]

Re: Hot Rims All wheel and tire cleaner question

Notplayn,

Our Hot Rims All Wheel & Tire Cleaner is really designed for factory/OEM clear coated or truly chrome wheels which is exactly what most of our customers are using it on. There are many variables when it comes to aftermarket wheels and it is often difficult for owners to asses what material their wheels truly are. Without the laundry list a few good examples are: pvd chrome which is not actually chrome, an anodized lip on an otherwise clear coated wheel, or powder coated wheels. This is one of the reasons we always recommend consulting your wheel manufacturer before using any product. Frankly, with your variety of wheels the only way to be 100% safe is by using our Hot Rims Aluminum Wheel Cleaner. Keep in mind it is less aggressive. I know you already purchased the Hot Rims All Wheel & Tire Cleaner so send me a pm if you decide it is better to use the Hot Rims Aluminum Wheel Cleaner.

*It should also be mentioned that following the directions while using any wheel cleaner is extremely important. When the instructions say apply to one wheel at a time on a cool wheel and do not let sit for more than 15-30 seconds this should be followed.

[Notplayn]

Re: Hot Rims All wheel and tire cleaner question

Thanks for the response. I may just take it back and stick with what works for me.

[Notplayn]

Re: Hot Rims All wheel and tire cleaner question

The only aftermarket wheels I have are true forged,chrome hoop with painted centers. My grand national has chrome outters and painted centers but I'm sure the centers aren't cleared (stock wheels). I have a firehawk with factory chrome wheels and the rest are cleared chrome aluminum or painted. And the mercedes has painted wheels that are cleared but what about the plastic center caps?

[Brian Hann]

Re: Hot Rims All wheel and tire cleaner question

Notplayn,

Understood, but if you are looking for one product that is safe for any/all of your wheels the Hot Rims Aluminum Wheel Cleaner is the safe way to go. There could also be other issues at play here. The condition of the wheels if older, aftermarket coatings not being as good factory clear coat, etc.

[Notplayn]

Re: Hot Rims All wheel and tire cleaner question

Had a great discussion with Brian H today. A real great guy with good information. Thank you again for your time and attention to my questions and concerns.

Please wash me detailing, I appriciate your attempt to offer help but in my opinion spot testing on rims is poor advise to say the least. Testing a chemical on a $800 dollar rim is just silly. I know A to Z is not an acid and it's not crud. I use quality products on my vehicles and don't appreciate the accusation that I use crud.

[Detailing by M]

Re: Hot Rims All wheel and tire cleaner question

Eagle products are not used by pros, period. Therefore it falls into the category of crud, TW, BM, Eagle and the like are not made for pros and are minimal detailing products.
If you want better results then use professional products.
Doing test spots is the norm.
I really don't care what you use. But if you want to use a new product DO A TEST SPOT.
In no way did I say "you use crud" I called Eagle products crud.
Do take it so personally, it's a discussion. I'm a pro I use pro products so all that other stuff doesn't work in a pro environment so it's crud in my book and many other pro friends of mine.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Hot Rims All wheel and tire cleaner question

Sorry I couldn't chime in on this earlier but I was out working on a rather special project at the Peterson Museum.

Notplayn, glad to hear you and Brian Hann had a good discussion about proper care of your wheels. And Mario, seriously? Back down. We are here to help people, not bash the products they use, their technique, or anything else. You know the rules here on MOL - we do not bash people or products, regardless whose products we're discussing. And yes, saying a product is "crud" is bashing, plain and simple. Besides, if Notplayn has been using a given product, any product, and it's been working really well for him, how can anyone call that "crud"? It may not be what you want to use, but that's not an automatic negative on the product.

By the way, our Hot Rims Wheel and Tire Cleaner is not a "gentle acid", whatever that means. It's actually a fairly strong alkaline cleaner, which is why it's so incredibly effective at cleaning road grime and other filth off the tires. An acid based cleaner won't do that, which is why even our Hot Rims Chrome Wheel Cleaner, a very potent acid based cleaner, isn't as effective for cleaning tires as All Wheel and Tire Cleaner is. In fact, Hot Rims Chrome Wheel Cleaner is more acidic than Wheel Brightener, but pH alone is not the be-all indicator of a products cleaning ability.

Please, Mario, be a bit more cautious how you discuss products and processes with the rest of the members here on MOL. You do this for a living, but there are plenty of guys who take this hobby to an almost extreme level and really know their stuff. Nobody wants to be talked down to, nobody wants to be lectured. We are all here to learn, regardless whether we're just getting started, we've got plenty of knowledge, or we're doing this for a living. There is always more to learn, things are changing rapidly in the industry, and we all need to be able to communicate in a positive and respectful way to further everyone's knowledge and enjoyment of the hobby.