Found a GREAT automotive wheel cleaner

TheGoodTexan · April 30th, 2008, 11:57 AM

Yep...Easy Off Oven Cleaner

I've always been frustrated by the poor level of success of most commercial wheel cleaners. They're generally expensive, and never have I been able to just "spray on / spray off" and end up with clean wheels. I always have to get down and scrub to some degree....and if I'm going to have to scrub anyway, why am wasting $6 on a spray bottle of "cleaner"?

Then I saw the Easy Off at the grocery store the other day...and it dawned on me. I bought a can for $2 and tried it. And the stuff freakin' works.

I knew that it was extremely potent stuff, and very capable of causing damage to my wheels if I left it on for too long, so I prayed some on the front wheel, then on the back wheel...counted to 10, and rinsed it all off with the garden hose. and....VOILA! Factory-clean wheels. Perfectly clean, with no damage what-so-ever.

I will add that I have factory clear-coated wheels on my truck, with plastic center caps, just like these:

I did rinse them for an extra few minutes, just to make sure that there was no residue left that might cause damage later on.

getbent · April 30th, 2008, 12:13 PM

I looked up the ph of easy-off and it looks like it is about 13.5 which is not too rank... so the good news is that chemicals that raise the pH to such a high degree (called bases) applied to most metals quickly remove oxides and organics. Bases love organics like meat, flesh, eyeballs...etc. The potentially bad news is that unless you totally clean every molecule of a caustic from the surface, the base will pursue positive ions wherever it can find them. If it finds free ions it will form a salt. It will pursue metallic ions from molecular metals if it can't find a handy oxygen molecule. It will discolor or tarnish or etch or erode most kinds of metals.

A safe (for you and the car) way to neutralize a strong base is with a lot of water. Don't use any acid, you already know what happens when acidic material comes in contact with metal.

Wash with soap. Wash the area to which you applied the base then wash everywhere that water splashed when you rinse it off. Then rinse everything again.

I think it is a cool idea... it will be interesting to see how it looks in say, August... report back!

g-Paul · April 30th, 2008, 12:13 PM

Let me know in a week if they're still ok!

Actually, I doubt it could be harder on the wheels than all the salt they put on the roads up here.

TheGoodTexan · April 30th, 2008, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getbent

I looked up the ph of easy-off and it looks like it is about 13.5 which is not too rank... so the good news is that chemicals that raise the pH to such a high degree (called bases) applied to most metals quickly remove oxides and organics. Bases love organics like meat, flesh, eyeballs...etc. The potentially bad news is that unless you totally clean every molecule of a caustic from the surface, the base will pursue positive ions wherever it can find them. If it finds free ions it will form a salt. It will pursue metallic ions from molecular metals if it can't find a handy oxygen molecule. It will discolor or tarnish or etch or erode most kinds of metals.

A safe (for you and the car) way to neutralize a strong base is with a lot of water. Don't use any acid, you already know what happens when acidic material comes in contact with metal.

Wash with soap. Wash the area to which you applied the base then wash everywhere that water splashed when you rinse it off. Then rinse everything again.

getbent....you're always the kill-joy, eh?

Tim Armstrong · April 30th, 2008, 12:21 PM

I spent a lot of time cleaning with caustics and acids as a brewer, and I'd say that, after a whole lotta rinsing with water, a weak acid rinse (some vinegar in a hose-end sprayer, perhaps) will safely neutralize whatever caustic is left. I'd follow that with one more water rinse...

Cheers, Tim

TheGoodTexan · April 30th, 2008, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getbent

Wash with soap. Wash the area to which you applied the base then wash everywhere that water splashed when you rinse it off. Then rinse everything again.

I will add that I used my pressure washer to rinse with....so I feel fairly confident that I was able to remove 100% of the Easy Off.

Hmmm...I wonder what other uses that Easy Off has?

1293 · April 30th, 2008, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGoodTexan

Hmmm...I wonder what other uses that Easy Off has?

It's great for getting soap scum off an enamel tub.

getbent · April 30th, 2008, 12:50 PM

GT, I would never want to be a killjoy! If you used your pressure washer and lots of water, I'd bet you are fine.

I'm thinking of trying easy off on some stuff around here... and maybe on some stuff I wanna throw away... I won't wash off too well! (I strongly suspect that my wife occasionally adds too much bleach on my old sweatshirts to decrease their usefulness!

boris bubbanov · April 30th, 2008, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getbent

I think it is a cool idea... it will be interesting to see how it looks in say, August... report back!

The factory wheels on the 4K miles otherwise mint 2001 Saab 9-5 Aero I found for my girlfriend Memorial Day 2006 had etching on the wheels from these types of products. Otherwise it'd have been prefect. Eventually I'll repaint the wheels.

I guess that's the only thing I don't like about these BBS style wheels I have on my 2004 9-5 Arc is that it takes a lot of time to keep them clean; I'm substituting a less dusty brake pad set I bought from Satisfied (Pro Ceramic VS) but after 48K miles the stock pads still are just too fresh and fat.

1293 · April 30th, 2008, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

I'm substituting a less dusty brake pad set I bought from Satisfied (Pro Ceramic VS) but after 48K miles the stock pads still are just too fresh and fat.

I hope that works out for you. I put some Mintex semi-metallic pads on my car and it is SCARY when they're wet. I step on the brake and I've got nothing. Then one wheel dries out before the others and the car pulls one way or the other.

getbent · April 30th, 2008, 02:37 PM

anybody tried carbon kevlar brake pads? I know lots of car nuts use them to reduce 'brake dust'.

mad dog · April 30th, 2008, 03:07 PM

Would this stuff help with brake fluid discolored wheels? First service on my old ducati, those yahoos let brake fluid (or maybe clutch fluid drip on the gold tinted rims (some heavier than aluminum alloy). I never noticed until too late. Dark spots now. If I buff hard enough, the tint comes off as well as the spot.

1293 · April 30th, 2008, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mad dog

Would this stuff help with brake fluid discolored wheels?

I wouldn't do that. I used Easy Off to try and get some cooked-on gunk off an anodized stock pot and it ruined the finish.

red57strat · April 30th, 2008, 07:57 PM

I won't even use anything as harsh as wheel cleaner on wheels.

About 15 years ago I used a wheel cleaner on my wheels, didn't rinse it well enough and ended up with radial streaks permanently bleached into the wheels' finish.

I used to use oven cleaner to strip paint off of model cars. I wouldn't go near my wheels (or my tires) with it.

teledude66 · April 30th, 2008, 08:25 PM

Keep us informed it sounds good to me, but I too wonder about long term. However I may use it on my motorcycle to get some old grease and oil buildup off, I paint it back black wrinkle finish so no biggie there.

AnthemBassMan · April 30th, 2008, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGoodTexan

Hmmm...I wonder what other uses that Easy Off has?

-I know a girl who uses it to remove old paint from woodwork in homes. She said it works better than other strippers she's tried. I just don't know about people who would paint over beautiful oak, maple, cherry etc...

L8R,
Matt D.

April 30th, 2008, 12:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Age: 48 Posts: 9,444 37 Photos	I looked up the ph of easy-off and it looks like it is about 13.5 which is not too rank... so the good news is that chemicals that raise the pH to such a high degree (called bases) applied to most metals quickly remove oxides and organics. Bases love organics like meat, flesh, eyeballs...etc. The potentially bad news is that unless you totally clean every molecule of a caustic from the surface, the base will pursue positive ions wherever it can find them. If it finds free ions it will form a salt. It will pursue metallic ions from molecular metals if it can't find a handy oxygen molecule. It will discolor or tarnish or etch or erode most kinds of metals. A safe (for you and the car) way to neutralize a strong base is with a lot of water. Don't use any acid, you already know what happens when acidic material comes in contact with metal. Wash with soap. Wash the area to which you applied the base then wash everywhere that water splashed when you rinse it off. Then rinse everything again. I think it is a cool idea... it will be interesting to see how it looks in say, August... report back! __________________

April 30th, 2008, 12:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Berlin, Maryland, USA Age: 49 Posts: 8,824	I spent a lot of time cleaning with caustics and acids as a brewer, and I'd say that, after a whole lotta rinsing with water, a weak acid rinse (some vinegar in a hose-end sprayer, perhaps) will safely neutralize whatever caustic is left. I'd follow that with one more water rinse... Cheers, Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

April 30th, 2008, 12:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Age: 48 Posts: 9,444 37 Photos	GT, I would never want to be a killjoy! If you used your pressure washer and lots of water, I'd bet you are fine. I'm thinking of trying easy off on some stuff around here... and maybe on some stuff I wanna throw away... I won't wash off too well! (I strongly suspect that my wife occasionally adds too much bleach on my old sweatshirts to decrease their usefulness! __________________

April 30th, 2008, 02:37 PM	#11 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Age: 48 Posts: 9,444 37 Photos	anybody tried carbon kevlar brake pads? I know lots of car nuts use them to reduce 'brake dust'. __________________

April 30th, 2008, 07:57 PM	#14 (permalink)
red57strat Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,112	I won't even use anything as harsh as wheel cleaner on wheels. About 15 years ago I used a wheel cleaner on my wheels, didn't rinse it well enough and ended up with radial streaks permanently bleached into the wheels' finish. I used to use oven cleaner to strip paint off of model cars. I wouldn't go near my wheels (or my tires) with it. __________________ Don

April 30th, 2008, 12:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
g-Paul Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Leafs Nation Age: 47 Posts: 132	Let me know in a week if they're still ok! Actually, I doubt it could be harder on the wheels than all the salt they put on the roads up here.

April 30th, 2008, 03:07 PM	#12 (permalink)
mad dog Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 727	Would this stuff help with brake fluid discolored wheels? First service on my old ducati, those yahoos let brake fluid (or maybe clutch fluid drip on the gold tinted rims (some heavier than aluminum alloy). I never noticed until too late. Dark spots now. If I buff hard enough, the tint comes off as well as the spot.

April 30th, 2008, 08:25 PM	#15 (permalink)
teledude66 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lawndale,N.C. Age: 42 Posts: 2,741 20 Photos	Keep us informed it sounds good to me, but I too wonder about long term. However I may use it on my motorcycle to get some old grease and oil buildup off, I paint it back black wrinkle finish so no biggie there. __________________ The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist.