Treatment for fairly clean OEM wheels?

[prr]

I have just tried Meguiars Hot Rims Wheel & Tire Cleaner (purple stuff, that is stronger), and it has made a dramatic difference in the amount of grime that wasn’t coming off with just car washes (and Gold Class shampoo), on my 2005 Toyota Sienna. I also have another vehicle (also toyota, a 2006 Highlander) that has very clean wheels. I am wondering if I should apply the harsher Wheel & Tire cleaner, or also buy the blue liquid Aluminum Wheel Cleaner—or if I really need anything at all. The previously gunked up wheels (on one car I have) look so good, I really don’t mind buying a new product, but of course if it doesn’t matter, I’d prefer to stick with what I have (its cheaper that way!). I think I’d like to use some product on the cleaner set of wheels (on my second car), just to get them pristine before applying a coat of car wax as a protectant.

I did call Meguiars support and asked if the purple wheel cleaner would be ok to use on fairly clean wheels, and the guy’s first answer was why use a product on something if it isn’t needed, but then said that as long as I didn’t let it sit on the wheels for more than 30 seconds, and didn’t apply it when they were hot, I should be fine. His ambivalence leads me to ask here to get more opinions on the matter.

So what do folks here think? Do I even want to apply a product to pretty clean wheels (the Highlander), or would that be likely to be too abrasive on the coating of the wheels (I believe Toyota stock wheels are aluminum coated)? I also would like to apply synthetic car wax as well to the wheels, unless that is a dumb idea.

[Murr1525]

Re: Treatment for fairly clean OEM wheels?

I would just get the Non acid Wheel and Tire Cleaner rather than buying more little bottles since doing a few cars.

And then the Ult Wheel Cleaner once or twice a year