Introduction
Wheels and Tires accumulate a bunch of dirt and break dust. If you go long enough without cleaning your wheels then they’ll even retain the brown rusty look after months and months of the sun baking the dirt into the wheels finish, just like the before picture to the left.
There are several great options on the market today that combine both tire cleaning agents with wheel cleaning agents making a combo all in one wheel and tire cleaner. We’ve created a top ten list of the best sellers available online below to help you choose the best one for your Truck or SUV. All of these products will bring out the shine of your wheels and tires well also removing all the nasty road dirt and brake dust. These cleaners also have hydrating agents in them to help your tires last longer avoiding dry rotting.
Well in some cases if you’re one to keep up on cleaning your vehicle on a regular basis and don’t put a ton of miles on it then you can probably get away with just spraying on a good wheel and tire cleaner, spray it off with water, let dry and have some nice shiny wheels. But let’s face it, most of us don’t have the time to wash and wax our vehicles every weekend. So in order to complete a proper wheel and tire cleaning, you’ll need to follow the correct process using the right tools. The most important tool is to of course have a good wheel and tire cleaner.
Only clean one wheel & tire at a time, many consumers make the mistake of spraying all four before rinsing. This means that by the time you’ve gotten back to the first to wash off the cleaner, some of it has dried which will cause leftover residue.
Below is our Top Ten list of the best wheel and tire cleaners available online right now based on a 5 star consumer rating system coming from thousands of consumer reviews of each product from people that have actually purchased and used these products.
Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Top 10 List of the Best Wheel and Tire Cleaners
- 2.1 10. 3M 39036 Wheel and Tire Cleaner – 16 oz.
- 2.2 9. Mothers 05924 Foaming Wheel & Tire Cleaner – 24 oz.
- 2.3 8. Eagle One A2Z 824331 All Wheel and Tire Cleaner – 23 oz.
- 2.4 7. Adam’s DWC-16 Car Wheel Cleaner – 16 oz.
- 2.5 6. Griot’s Garage 11106SP Wheel Cleaner – 35 oz.
- 2.6 5. CarGuys Wheel and Tire Cleaner – 18oz
- 2.7 4. TriNova Wheel Cleaning Gel Spray 18 oz.
- 2.8 3. Armor All 78011 Extreme Wheel and Tire Cleaner – 32 oz.
- 2.9 2. Meguiar’s G-9524 Hot Rims All Wheel & Tire Cleaner – 24 oz.
- 2.10 1. Sonax (230241) Wheel Cleaner Plus – 16.9 fl. oz.
- 3 Additional Tools Needed for Cleaning Your Wheels & Tires
- 4 Conclusion
- 5 How to Properly Clean Wheels Video
Top 10 List of the Best Wheel and Tire Cleaners
10. 3M 39036 Wheel and Tire Cleaner – 16 oz.
Consumer Rating 
(4 / 5)
Many of you probably think of 3M as an adhesive products manufacturer, but they also have quite a good line of cleaning and polishing formulas they sell for automobiles. Here we’ll talk about 3M’s 39036 wheel and tire cleaner that comes in a standard ready to use 16oz spray bottle. Of course like with any other cleaner, using a soft bristle brush helps clean away the brake dust and grime found on your rims. After that you’ll just need to wash it all away with some pressurized water, in many cases a standard garden hose will do.
Like with most of the other wheel and tire cleaners on our list this 3M product will help re-hydrate the tires helping to reduce the dry rotting process while bringing back an even matte black color like they were new. Many consumers have even had that this product as many other uses such as for removing gecko and bird effluent, volcanic sulfates, and sea air deposits from windshields.
Is 3M 39036 Wheel & Tire Cleaner Safe and Cost Effective?
3M wheel and tire cleaner is safe to use on typical factory clear coated and polished wheels along with painted rims, and aftermarket chrome wheels. One of the negatives is the smaller 16oz bottle that can run out only after a handful of uses, depending on how soiled your wheels and tires are. It’s cost per use is a bit higher then others on our top ten list.
3M Wheel & Tire Cleaner Manufacturer Suggested Instructions
- Spray cleaner uniformly over the entire and wheel area.
- Scrub tire with a stiff bristle brush. Clean wheels and hub caps with a soft cloth or a small, soft brush.
- Rinse thoroughly with a strong water spray.
- Clean one wheel at a time.
What Consumers say about 3M 39036 Wheel & Tire Cleaner
- I use this on our bike and street rod and am very pleased with it. Have used other 3M products with great success.
- I bought this for the brake dust on my SUV and my husband says it works great.
- Great spray and application. Seems to spray in a nice flat pattern, so that you can direct it where you want.
- It did a good job of masking/hiding some scuff marks on the tires.
- After having already used this several times on my motorcycle wheels, all I do now is hose it down, spray this stuff on. Drink a beer, hose it off and it’s done.
- The per-bottle price doesn’t seem all that bad til I checked some of the other wheel cleaners I had around and realized those other bottles are twice the size of the 3M one.
- Obviously, any reasonably dirty wheel will require some manual effort as well, so be prepared to buy a decent brush if you go too long between wheel cleanings.
- Great at removing brake dust, the best of three or four I’ve tried.
More Details and Reviews on Amazon
9. Mothers 05924 Foaming Wheel & Tire Cleaner – 24 oz.
Consumer Rating (4 / 5)
With any basic automotive cleaning, waxing, polishing and detailing you usually can not ever go wrong with a Mothers product. Mothers has been a trusted detailing product in the automotive industry since the 1970s. Mothers Foaming Wheel and Tire Cleaner is an exceptional two in one combo cleaner. Mothers suggests a soft brushing to loosen up stubborn debris before washing away the grime.
This is a spray on and hose off “design” that helps to safely penetrate, dissolve and suspend all types of road debris helping to make rinsing off easy. Mothers has a unique spot-free rinsing agent built into their formula that activates while rinsing with water. This is a non-acidic spray, formulated to quickly clean both wheels and tires, including whitewalls.
Many consumers don’t like how the spray bottle is designed. As the usual spray bottle will mist or stream spray allowing you to get into hard to reach areas. However the Mothers foaming sprays a little amount of foam out each time you squeeze the trigger which puts quite a workout on your trigger finger. It’s more difficult to cover the entire wheel with foam and get the foam into tight areas. This is why Mother’s recommends scrubbing the wheel with one of their soft brushes before rinsing. Some would much rather have a typical spray bottle instead, but that is all up to personal preference, Mothers foaming wheel and tire cleaner still gets the job done.
Is Mothers 05924 Foaming Wheel & Tire Cleaner Safe and Cost Effective?
This Mothers wheel and tire cleaner is safe to use on all factory/OEM wheels and hub caps. Anything that may be painted over, clear coated, color coated, steel, modular or even chrome.
NOTE: Mothers does warn against certain uses and suggest this wheel and tire cleaner be used on factory/OEM coated wheels and hubcaps only. They say to avoid polished or roughcast aluminum, billet or anodized wheels and to not use this product on motorcycle wheels, casings or components. We’re not sure if this is a safety thing or maybe they had issues in the past, but many consumers have used this cleaner on all of the above stated parts without issues, but we thought this was important information to share to help your product your ride.
The 24oz spray bottle is on the average size and will get you around 30 “passes”. This means you can spray this on 1 layer at a time around 30 times, which for an average 4 wheeled vehicle means you can expect this bottle to last about 7 cleanings. Of course this all depends on the amount of dirt on your wheels. If you haven’t cleaned your wheels and tires in several months, don’t be surprised to use up a half of the bottle in 1 cleaning.
Mothers Wheel & Tire Cleaner Manufacturer Suggested Instructions
Mothers suggests to simply spray their Foaming Wheel & Tire Cleaner generously onto a cool to the touch wheel and tire. Allow the foam to work for one to two minutes. It’s important to not work in direct sunlight and to not allow cleaner to dry on your wheels. Hose off your wheels and tires with a strong jet of water. If you’re using a power washer, do not get too close to the rim as you could unintentionally take off the finish. Mothers non-spotting formula eliminates the need to dry your wheels. Mothers offers 1 gallon jugs that are meant to refill the spray bottles offer a cheaper cost per use.
What Consumers say about Mothers Foaming Wheel & Tire Cleaner
- We detail both vehicles and get between 4 to 6 uses from one bottle.
- This works OK at cleaning wheels. Make sure that you have a wheel brush handy when you use it. It’s not a magical foam that will lift all of the brake dust away, but it will loosen it enough to be easily removed with a brush.
- This is one of my fav’s, the others being the eagle1’s wheel n tire cleaner. Though Nothing beats the use of a brush and elbow grease, this really helps with the calipers, spaces my brush can’t reach, and especially the tires before i clean them.
- DO NOT expect this to wash your wheels for you, you still need to get down and scrub, this just helps alot. Though it runs out quick.
- This stuff is the only wheel cleaner that works. I spray this stuff, wait 30 seconds, then use a rigid wheel brush to scrub, then spray off. I drive a 1994 Honda Accord EX and this made the alloy wheels shin like new, amazing.
- The delivery pump needs better delivery of foam.
- Works well. I use a full bottle cleaning all 4 35″ tires on 16″ wheels.
- If you want clean wheels, and don’t want to spend a lot of time cleaning them, use this stuff.
More Details and Reviews on Amazon
8. Eagle One A2Z 824331 All Wheel and Tire Cleaner – 23 oz.
Consumer Rating 
(4.1 / 5)
Eagle One A2Z All Wheel and Tire Cleaner is one of the most recommended brands by automotive enthusiasts. Eagle One even has on their A2Z label that they’re the “Number one cleaning brand for over a decade.” Well this might be true in many peoples eyes, on our top ten list, it’s not the best, but only by a half of a star rating, so it’s pretty darn close.
A2Z’s features a simply east to use spray on and hose off method. Of course if you haven’t washed your wheels in a long time you’ll also need some extra elbow grease. It’s thick foaming action safely removes grime and brake dust while also helping restore tires back to their new black look.
Is Eagle One A2Z 824331 Wheel & Tire Cleaner Safe and Cost Effective?
A2Z is an acid-free wheel and tire cleaner combo that works on the following wheel types and finishes: steel, aluminum, alloy, anodized, clear-coated, chrome, PVD, plastic and factory-painted. It is not recommended for use on Non-factory painted, aluminum, motorcycle or gold-painted wheels. Damage can occer to the finish of your wheels if you use this product before the wheels are cool to the touch. if they are not then rinse with water to help cool. The 23oz offers a great value at it’s price, each bottle usually last the average consumer 4-5 uses. A2Z is also available in a 64oz jug hat comes with a sprayer that offers a cheaper cost per use, a even better value.
Eagle One A2Z Wheel & Tire Cleaner Manufacturer Suggested Instructions
- Wear eye protection and rubber gloves.
- Clean one wheel at a time. If wheel is hot, rinse the wheel for 30 seconds to cool it before application of wheel cleaner.
- Hold the bottle away from your body and about 6 inches away from the wheel. Spray cleaner evenly onto the wheel.
- Allow it to soak for 30 seconds. For dirtier wheels, agitate with a sponge or soft brush.
- Rinse the wheel thoroughly for at least 30 seconds and dry it with a clean towel for a spot-free shine.
A2Z also works well for cleaning Wheel Wells, Lower Door Panels, Door Jambs, Inside the Fuel Door and even as an engine de-greaser.
What Consumers say about Eagle One A2Z Wheel & Tire Cleaner
- Great product. I had extremely dirty rims. I put the product on then ran it through a car wash..no scrubbing. It got 95% of the gunk and brake dust off! Look shiny and brand new again.
- Great wheel and tire combo, especially for the price. The dirt and grim falls off far better than when I just use car soap alone.
- Use this stuff on my own tires infrequently and get compliments all the time. Tried it on some old Jeep tires that hadn’t been cleaned in years. Didn’t take much work and they were shiny and chrome. Love this stuff.
- It really does a nice job cleaning e rims on my truck not runny, stays more where it is sprayed on.
- This product does a pretty good job removing dirt from the rims and tires but I still had to hand wash the rims to get them completely clean.
- They looked good and shiny for about 10 minutes then they just looked like non-dirty wheels.
- Excellent Tire and wheel cleaner. I use specifically to get the dirt and the “browning” off my tires. Cleans them up really well.
- Wow, this really works great. I hadn’t cleaned my rims for one year and this spray cleaned it easily!
More Details and Reviews on Amazon
7. Adam’s DWC-16 Car Wheel Cleaner – 16 oz.
Consumer Rating 
(4.2 / 5)
Adam’s Wheel Cleaner is loved by many and many sweat by it. This product is made in the USA and has a strong chemical odor, so strong that it will linger, so make sure you don’t use this inside your garage. It works great to remove brake dust and metallic contamination from your wheels. This isn’t your run of the mill wheel cleaner, Adams was formulated with automotive enthusiast who aren’t afraid to drive their cars hard and even take it to a drag strip, road course, drifting or an auto x event which leads to excessive braking and brake dust build up.
It’s formula is made to sling to the wheels surface helping to brake up those stubborn brake dust particles that are left behind by so many of today’s high performance braking setups. You could probably guess that this company was started by performance enthusiasts. This product reacts with the iron/metal in the brake pad dust and helps dissolve and loosen it from the wheel. Best of all, the formula is color changing, so it lets you know when it’s working on the deep grime because it’ll turn purple.
Is Adam’s DWC Wheel Cleaner Safe and Cost Effective?
Adam’s Wheel Cleaner is safe on most finishes, even motorcycle wheels too, which many wheel and tire cleaners are not recommended for motorcycle wheels. It’s safe to use on factory clear coated wheels, aftermarket aluminum and even painted wheels.
However, this is the most expensive wheel cleaner on our top ten list. A bottle costs 2-3x what another competing bottle costs, not to mention that most consumers say they only average 2-3 uses per 16oz bottle. But remember, it’s designed with the performance minded automotive enthusiasts in mind, not really your everyday driver. It is available in a gallon jug, which does help cut down on the cost a bit.
Adams DWC Wheel Cleaner Manufacturer Suggested Instructions
- Spray on only after the wheel is completely cooled off.
- Wait for cleaner to activate (turn purple).
- Then agitate using a Adam’s Turbo Stick, Wheel Woolie Wheel Cleaning Tool or simply use another soft wheel cleaning brush.
- Rinse off and wipe with a dry towel.
What Consumers say about Adams DWC Wheel Cleaner
- Best wheel cleaner I’ve ever used. Yes, it’s expensive, and I used ⅓ of a bottle in a single washing (large truck wheels with lots of surface area). But it works amazingly.
- Worked flawlessly, was very surprised it did so well. The wheels on my grandpa’s 1997 f150 had literally never been cleaned and were practically solid brown. Spray Adam’a WC on and agitate with a brush/rag and then rinse. Made the wheels look literally brand new. Adam’s Polishes has always been the brand I use and for good reason.
- I had a set of aluminum wheels that were badly embedded with brake pad dust. This product did the trick and left the wheels looking shiny and clean.
- This stuff works great! I clean my car just about every week and when it does touch any bad stuff it turns a deep purple. Looks really cool.
- Spray it on, watch it turn purple, wipe and rinse. It’s that simple. Amazing product that works better than advertised.
- This stuff is tough on brake dust. My Jeep SRT’s brembo brakes put out a TON of brake dust and this stuff takes it off without any problems.
More Details and Reviews on Amazon
6. Griot’s Garage 11106SP Wheel Cleaner – 35 oz.
Consumer Ratings (4.2 / 5)
Griot’s Garage Wheel Cleaner features a balanced, safe and effective highly-concentrated formula that clings to brake dust, grit and road grime helping to penetrate and loosen particles. Most importantly, Griot’s Garage wheel cleaner is safe for you and the environment while still being an effective biodegradable choice! Since it’s green it doesn’t produce an irritating chemical smell while being sprayed like most of the other products available.
The trigger works nicely when covering the larger portions of the wheel, along with the inner barrel of the wheels. Since Griot’s is green, it is slightly weaker than other wheel cleaners but you won’t have to worry about it stripping off your wheel’s clear coat or even your car’s paint when you accidentally over spray. You just may need to agitate the grime and brake dust off your wheels if they have been baked on for awhile. Which, you’d probably have to do anyways. If you wash your wheels frequently, you’ll probably just need to spray on and rinse off without agitating.
Is Griot’s Garage 11106SP Wheel Cleaner Safe and Cost Effective?
Griot’s is a great value compared to other wheel cleaners especially with it’s bigger then any other size of 35oz. It is also a very safe cleaner. It’s pH balanced which means its not acidic and is safe for all wheel finishes, including chrome, polished, powder coated, painted wheels, even raw steel, magnesium and aluminum. This level of safety and effectiveness has earned Griot’s the approval of Tire Rack, Dayton Wire Wheels and BBS.
Griot’s Garage Wheel Cleaner Manufacturer Suggested Instructions
- First make sure that wheels are cool to the touch so you don’t warped rotors and so that the wheel cleaner doesn’t prematurely dry.
- Rinse the wheel and then spray on Griot’s evenly from the bottom on up.
- Let the wheel cleaner sit for about 45 seconds.
- Then agitate with a soft sponge or brush.
- Rinse and dry with a micro fiber towels.
What Consumers say about Griot’s Garage Wheel Cleaner
- I have used this product for twenty or more years. Lexus , Acura Honda, Miata etc. the manufacturer says it is safe on all wheels.
- I’ve used many wheel cleaners and general APCs for my wheels and I always come back to the Griots cleaner. The other cleaners are just so harsh and terrible smelling.
- I love Griots’ stuff and buy their wheel cleaner by the gallon because I like clean wheels and this stuff works well. I’ve heard it all. Wheel cleaners REQUIRE some elbow grease – period.
- Their spray bottle has a “Rolls Royce” trigger meaning that it’s not wasting product, and really saturating the wheels.
- I use this on my motorcycles because it is gentle enough I trust it to not ruin the rims, and it does an excellent job.
- I drive a BMW which is known to produce A LOT OF BREAKDUST and I mean A LOT, my wheels in front change color every week, but this product makes them look new every time!!! I love this brand!
More Details and Reviews on Amazon
5. CarGuys Wheel and Tire Cleaner – 18oz
Consumer Ratings 
(4.3 / 5)
CarGuys Wheel and Tire cleaner was made to safely work on all wheels and tires available on the market today. It’s non-toxic, acid free, pH balanced formula is safe to use on any wheels, even plasti-dipped ones. You won’t have to worry about this cleaner eating away at your wheels clear coat or your vehicles clear coat if over-sprayed. Even better CarGuys is made right here in the USA and they offer a 100% money back guarantee.
CaryGuy’s Wheelr and Tire Cleaner even helps to eliminate harmful road salt and road grime caused during winter driving. Road salt is very corrosive to vehicles and can rust away metal very quickly if not washed off. This includes the clear coats and finishes of wheels.
Is CarGuys Wheel & Tire Cleaner Safe and Cost Effective?
The manufacturer says it’s safe on every type of wheel and tire on the market today. If your not satisfied then you’ll get a 100% refund. It seems costly at first, but since it’s made of a concentrated gel, this reduces the amount of product needed per use, which saves you money in the long run. It’s formula makes it cling to wheels eliminating excessive runoff.
CarGuys Wheel & Tire Manufacturer Suggested Instructions
- First make sure that wheels are cool to the touch.
- Evenly spray on cleaner, it comes out pink to help maximize coverage.
- Wait 3-5 minutes, agitate with soft sponge or brush for heavily soiled wheels and tires.
- Rinse with high powered water
- Dry with a cheap towel or micro fiber cloth.
What Consumers Say about CarGuys Wheel & Tire Cleaner
- OMG this product is amazing, I read through so many reviews and was on the fence about purchasing it, but finally caved and never looked back.
- It was great on my muddy Jeep tires. Made them look new. I highly recommend this using before dressing tires with Aerospace or Armour all.
- Fantastic wheel and rim cleaner. I needed to get some gasoline off of a single painted rim in a hurry and only let the product sit for a matter of seconds before rinsing. It cut through a week worth of brake dust and kept the rim clean for the next week.
- This spray product works great at cleaning the brake dust off both the outside and inside of my alloy wheels. I followed the directions, used the Mothers Long Handled Brush, and the wheel turned out as clean as it was when brand new.
- Best wheel cleaner for plasti-dip I’ve found that also doesn’t stain my StopTech rotors.
- This is better than any products I have used in the past….CarGuys has the best automotive interior and exterior cleaning products you can buy and they are at cheaper cost then the others!! I use them all and found CarGuys to be the best!!!
More Details and Reviews on Amazon
4. TriNova Wheel Cleaning Gel Spray 18 oz.
Consumer Ratings (4.3 / 5)
TriNova Wheel & Tire Cleaner is a favorite among many car enthusiasts weather it be for light hobbyist use or by professional automotive detailers. It’s made in the USA with an acid-free formula. This formula means it’ll work on any wheel and tire out there. It’s concentrated gel gives it the ability to cling onto the dirt and grime on the wheels while eliminating excessive runoff. It can even be used to decrease engine blocks. The manufacturer says that regular use ensures that you can clean your wheels without scrubbing and that is ultimately what we all want.
There are many other uses that TriNova is good for like degreasing an engine. It’s tough on stains helping to restore a like new shine. Using the TriNova gel spray can even help protect your wheels during the winter time against road salt which usually ruins the appearance of your wheels over time. Using it often helps leave a protective coat helping repel those extremely corrosive road salts use during the winter to melt away icy roadways.
Is TriNova Wheel & Tire Cleaning Gel Safe and Cost Effective?
The manufacturer says that TriNova Wheel and Tire Gel is suitable for all wheel types. Not all wheels are the same, which is why they’ve designed this Wheel Cleaning Gel to be safe for use on all types, from aluminum, chrome and painted wheels, to white-wall tires, all while still providing the ultimate clean you’re looking for.
Even though TriNova’s initial bottle cost is on the higher side, it’s cost per use is good. Since it’s a gel formula that clings, less product is wasted by run off. Especially after a good first cleaning, the amount of product you’ll need to regularly keep those wheels and tires shiny is minimal and you can expect to get several uses out of a 18-oz bottle.
TriNova Wheel Cleaning Gel Spray Wheel Manufacturer Suggested Instructions
- After removing any caked on deposits or mud, apply an even coat to wheel from 6-8 inches away and let stand for 3-5 minutes.
- Heavy deposits may require agitation with a soft brush.
- Rinse surface with a full pressure stream from a garden hose.
- Extremely soiled surfaces may require a second application.
- Routine use of this product will allow cleanser to be sprayed on and dirt can be removed by simply rinsing.
What Consumers Say about TriNova Wheel Cleaning Gel Spray
- This wheel cleaner is awesome! I love this stuff, it really cleans without damaging anything, I have used this on allow wheels and painted wheels and it gently (but powerfully) works to loosen brake dust and dirt.
- This cleaner removed years work of brake dust and grime in a matter of minutes.
- It worked so well that I plan on taking the wheel off of my trucks to get a good scrub on the entire inside of the wheels.
- So glad to order the “wheel cleaner rim cleaning spray”. It was true, oil residue, dust and more dirt were easily removed after the last car wash of my 10+ year old SUV. I sprayed this product in the rims, waited for 10+ seconds and polished the rims with a piece of cloth. Now, I can see the shinny metal part of the rims.
- This is the best product I ever used cuts through the grease like nothing comes off excellently this part of it is very recommended by me I give it 10 Stars if I could.
- TriNova cleaning spray worked like a charm! It made removing the dust and gunk build up on my wheels easy with virtually no scrubbing. I was even able to clean the tight spots around the and bolts. I will definitely be using this on a regular basis to avoid future build up.
- I have tried several different ways to get the stains off my car’s alloy rims and nothing has work…until I tried this product! I have never written a product review before, but this worked so great I felt compelled to do so. This product removed at least 98% of the stains on the rims and they look brand new! I would highly recommend this product.
More Details and Reviews on Amazon
3. Armor All 78011 Extreme Wheel and Tire Cleaner – 32 oz.
Consumer Ratings (4.3 / 5)
Armor All Extreme Wheel and Tire Cleaner is another great option for wheel and tire care. It’s triple-action foaming formula clings to particles helping to dissolve grease, road grime and brake dust better than traditional spray on cleaners. A built-in blanketing agent helps to spread into the nooks and crannies. Armor All offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee or you can get your money back if it does not meet your expectations.
The Armor All spray on cleaner doesn’t have a horribly strong smell like some other cleaners. The spray bottle is easy to operate and evenly sprays. You won’t have to worry about cramping hands with just a couple of pumps and nothing is more annoying than a hard to squeeze spray bottle.
Is Armor All Extreme Wheel & Tire Cleaner Safe and Cost Effective?
It’s safe to use on factory and aftermarket coated wheels when used as directed. But be-careful because this is a very strong formula and will likely eat away at an older wheels clear coat that has already shown signs of wear or peeling. It’s 32oz bottle for the price is a very good value, but then again it’s really only safe to use on a select few wheel finishes so it might be worth the risk. But it really just eat away at the grime and brake dust very well.
Armor All Extreme Wheel & Tire Cleaner Manufacturer Suggested Instructions
- Clean one wheel at a time.
- Wear eye protection and rubber gloves.
- Wet cool wheel with hose.
- Hold bottle 6 inches from wheel and completely saturate wheel with cleaner.
- Allow foam to penetrate for 30 seconds.
- Wipe with a soft cloth or sponge.
- Thoroughly rinse wheel.
- Dry with a soft, clean towel to prevent water spots. Repeat if necessary.
What Consumers Say about Armor All Extreme Wheel & Tire Cleaner
- A very good wheel cleaner at a very good price. I’ve stayed and tried Sonax, but this works just as well without the horribly strong smell.
- Great tire and wheel cleaner. Works great on painted rims. Be a little careful on machined/clear coated rims though. It peeled a little of the clear coat off my old 2001 Audi A6 rims. Could be due to the age of the rims but still a good product. Gets rid of all the junk.
- Just used it today to clean the wheels and tires of by Benz. Great job but you need a soft wheel brush to really get the wheels clean.
- You still have to brush or wipe the wheels, but this cleaner does a great job loosening the graphite and other grit that adheres to wheels. Makes it far easier to get the grime off!
- An excellent wheel and tire cleaner, but don’t fool yourself into thinking it will leave a shine on the wheel or tire afterwards.
- Cleaned off brake dust that had accumulated for 6 months. It took just one cleaning following the instructions.
More Details and Reviews on Amazon
2. Meguiar’s G-9524 Hot Rims All Wheel & Tire Cleaner – 24 oz.
Consumer Ratings 
(4.5 / 5)
If you’re familiar with Meguiar’s car care products then you’ll know of their good quality and reputation. When it comes down to wheel cleaners, they make a few different products. In particular, the Meguiar’s Hot Rims All Wheel and Tire Cleaner is one of the best available depending on the type of wheels you have. But they do make 2 other formula’s for other wheels.
Meguiar’s Hot Rims All Wheel and Tire Cleaner is designed to be safe for all clear coated wheels. It’s foaming ability allows it to cling to vertical surfaces and break down stubborn road grime and brake dust from both wheels and tires. Meguiar’s Xtreme Cling solution foams, while turning from white to brown as it grabs all the build up.
Is Meguiar’s Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner Safe and Cost Effective?
Meguiar’s Hot Rims All Wheel and Tire Cleaner is safe for all factory coated wheels and is the safest Meguiar’s wheel cleaner available. It is recommended if the wheel type cannot be determined. The other two options are Meguiar’s Hot Rims Aluminum Wheel Cleaner is safe for uncoated or polished aluminum, anodized and powder coated wheels. Meguiar’s Hot Rims Chrome Wheel Cleaner is specifically designed for all chrome plated wheels, and is sure to give a mirror-like finish.
It’s cost is average while the 24oz bottle is an average cost, it’s only good for 2-5 uses, depending on how dirty your wheels and tires are.
Meguiar’s Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner Manufacturer Suggested Instructions
- Rinse wheel thoroughly with water.
- Clean one wheel at a time.
- Spray wheel and tire with product holding the bottle 6-8 inches away.
- Wait a maximum of 30 seconds to allow foaming cleaners to penetrate and dissolve build-up. Do not allow product to dry. For heavy build-up, agitate surface with brush.
- Rinse thoroughly with water.
- Dry wheel with a clean towel or premium microfiber cloth.
What Consumers say about Meguiar’s G-9524 Hot Rims Wheel & Tire Cleaner
- Ridiculous price for a product that works this well. I sprayed it on my daughter’s VW rims & I watched the foam melt the dirt right off. I tried it on my 4Runner rims & after brushing the grime around the lugs a little, I got a shine I’ve only seen when the truck was new.
- This is serious stuff so, the next time I use it, I’ll wear a disposable mask. The whiff I got after spraying the first wheel probably took a year off of my life!
- This stuff works! One of the better wheel cleaners I have used.
- Of course its not as magical as described on the bottle, but it clearly works OK with no scrubbing. If you are willing to scrub it with a long handled brush (don’t get it in your eyes), it will remove all the brake dust etc.
- After several years of using it on Ford, Dodge, GM and Hyundai alloy wheels, none of them have shown any negative effects.
- This worked great on my rims and tires. Sprayed on as a thick foam and after a minute or two, I could see the foam lifting the dirt and grease off the tires and rims.
More Details and Reviews on Amazon
1. Sonax (230241) Wheel Cleaner Plus – 16.9 fl. oz.
Consumer Ratings 
(4.6 / 5)
Sonax Wheel Cleaner Plus is a 30% stronger formula than Sonax Full Effect which is a Amazon best seller. This fairly new product is made with a pH balanced, acid-free, environmentally friendly formula that is still plenty strong enough to break down brake dust and road grime. Sonax has made this cleaner safe to use on aluminum and alloy wheels that are painted, anodized or clear coated.
The cleaner sprays on clear and turns red as it penetrates all the dirt and grime particles. Sonax suggests using a soft brush to agitate heavily soiled wheels and tires.
Is Sonax 230241 Wheel Cleaner Plus Safe and Cost Effective?
The manufacturer says this cleaner can be used on all types of wheels, aluminum, allow, painted, anodized, clear coated, custom wheels and even Motorcycle wheels. Plus it’s VOC(Volatile Organic Compounds) compliant which means it’s a organic and environmentally friendly.
It’s a little on the expensive side per use, but Sonax wheel cleaner is available in a 169oz jug that makes the cost per use much cheaper. Since this is the currently the #1 rated wheel and tire cleaner then does the cost really matter? You are getting a high quality easy to use.
Sonax 230241 Wheel Cleaner Plus Manufacturer Suggested Instructions
- Use on a cool, dry wheel in a well ventilated area.
- Spray on Sonax Wheel Cleaner plus holding bottle 6-8 inches from the wheel surface. Spray barrel, caliper and tire. You’ll notice the product goes on clear.
- As the product begins to work and loosen the dirt and brake dust, it will change from clear to red.
- Exceptionally dirty wheels may require agitation.
- Allow the product to work for up to 10 minutes. If product dries, simply re-apply.
- Use a high-power water source and rinse the product from the wheels. May re-apply if necessary.
- Dry wheel with a clean towel or premium microfiber (Recommend Sonax 450800 Microfiber Drying Cloth).
What Consumers say about Sonax (230241) Wheel Cleaner Plus
- Have always had an issue with break dust on my 2006 Acura MDX. Most products require scrubbing, not this stuff! This stuff is amazing! The break dust just dropped off!
- Amazingly effective. Expensive, but worth it to me!
- Certainly one of the most amazing spray-on car products I’ve ever used. Spray on cool DRY wheels and calipers, wait a couple minutes, gently agitate with a soft brush, then rinse well with water. Amazing results. A bit expensive but it works. I’ve ordered more.
- I’ve gone through my second bottle of this stuff and it continues to impress!! Used on some seriously stained aluminum wheels on our minivan, and the results are simply incredible.
- Amazing product. I sprayed it onto my satin black wheels, waited 5 minutes and sprayed it off. Every trace of brake dust is gone completely. An added plus, my silver painted (from the factory) calipers that were old and dingy are now silver again.
- I have a German car that gives out a lot of brake dust and it’s been a hassle to wash it off.
After purchasing this product, washing my car has become a lot easier. - Purchased with skepticism because 5 other products promising similar results failed miserably. This one, however, delivered admirably! I removed twelve (12) years of brake dust and was left with like new chrome wheel covers. Actually, Sonax removed the brake dust. I just followed instructions. This stuff is great.
More Details and Reviews on Amazon
Additional Tools Needed for Cleaning Your Wheels & Tires
In most cases while cleaning your wheels and tires you will at least need a soft brush to help agitate and remove the deeply embedded brake dust, dirt and grime. Most wheel cleaner makers even suggest wiping the wheels dry.
To get the best possible results while cleaning your wheels and tires then you’ll want some serious tools like specialty wheel brushes, tire swipes and even some polishing balls that are used on the end of a drill. Tools like this are made to help make wheel and tire cleaning more effective. Below is a list of the top rated wheel and tire cleaning tools for you to check out.
Mothers Contoured Tire Brush
Consumer Ratings (4.5 / 5)
Mothers, contoured tire brush, non-slip comfort grip, protective rubber bumper, handle provides control & protection, contoured design fits sidewall, thoroughly rinse area first to remove any loose contaminants, rinse brush frequently to release trapped particles, rinse & dry after use, never use product dry, not intended on Painted, polished or chromed surfaces, wear eye protection when using cleaners. View Mothers Contoured Tire Brush on Amazon.
Mothers Wheel & Wheel Well Long Handled Brush
Consumer Ratings 
(4.4 / 5)
Mothers, wheel and fender well brush features a non-slip comfort grip with a lightweight ergonomic design. The extra soft scratch free bristles won’t scratch clear coats. The brush features a protective rubber bumper. Having a long handle helps you reach the backs of wheels as well a brake calipers. More about Mothers Wheel & Wheel Well Long Handled Brush on Amazon here.
Meiso Car Wheel Cleaning Brush Kit
Consumer Ratings (4.3 / 5)
If you find yourself buying one of the above wheel & tire cleaners, this kit will compliment your wheel cleaning adventures without breaking the bank. It comes with a wheel brush with bristles made with high-end steel wire flocking with dense, regular, strong cleaning and durable. The handle is made of PVC soft rubber, the grip feels comfortable with unique ergonomic design and anti-skid function. The rotary brush and wheel brush combined help you easily clean blindly at angles or hard to reach places.
The extra large superfine fiber car wash mitt is a waterproof design with 3 layers of lining to keep your hands clean and dry. It’s particularly recommended for people who wash cars frequently and this mitts helps keep your hands dry and warm in winter from freezing waters if you’re one to hand wash your vehicle in the winter.
The microfiber cleaning cloth is made from Microfiber Chenille and is super-soft. It holds lots of suds and water to wash away the dirt easily while not scratching paint or clear coat. It also doubles as a drying towel. Read more information here about the Meiso Car Wheel Cleaning Kit on Amazon.
Chemical Guys HOL134 Best Complete Wheel, Rim, and Tire Kit
Consumer Ratings 
(5 / 5)
If you want an ultimate kit, then you need the Chemical Guys Best Wheel, Rim, And Tire Kit. It comes in one convenient package combining professional favorite wheel detailing tools and products for every enthusiast. Whether you’re cleaning factory alloys, steel wheels, or custom aftermarket rims, the Best Wheel, Rim, And Tire Kit is the safe and gentle choice for a full wheel detail.
With the kit you first start by breaking down brake dust, dirt, and grime with your choice of Diablo Wheel Gel for light contamination, or Signature Series Wheel Cleaner for heavier road grime and brake dust. The pH-balanced wheel cleaners break down filth and grime, and lubricate the abrasive filth particles for a scratch-free shine. Dilute Diablo Wheel Gel 3:1 comes in the professional grade Detailing Sprayer Bottle which mists the slick wheel soap wherever it is needed most.
Then you can agitate stubborn filth from in-between the spokes with the Show Car Wheel Brush, and gently scrub the face of the hub, spokes, rim, and tire with the Flagged-Tip Body & Wheel Brush. Use the Workhorse Applicator Pad to spread a coat of Max Coat Wheel Guard over shiny wheel surfaces to repel future brake dust and road grime, enhance a high gloss shine, and make them easier to clean down the road. Then spread the perfect coat of VRP Tire Shine with the Wonder Wave Durafoam Applicator Pad, and finish off the full wheel detail with the rich black look of shiny new tires.
The Chemical Guys Best Wheel, Rim, And Tire Kit is the single best choice for any enthusiast or professional who needs a deep wheel cleaning all in one kit. Read more information about the kit here on Amazon.
Conclusion
Well choosing the right wheel and tire cleaning solution is important, they all generally do about the same amount of work. It all depends on the type of wheels you’ll be cleaning. Some cleaners aren’t safe for motorcycle wheels while some are, as well has for plasti dipped wheels, you would have to use a pH balanced acid free cleaner in that case which are a little more expensive. Now if you have factory wheels then you can really use any wheel cleaner. You can expect the average bottle of 16-24ox to last about 3-5 cleanings. You should also expect the need to use some wheel cleaning tools to agitate road grime and brake dust unless you regularly clean your wheels & tires than you may be able to just spray and rinse. Before you go, check out the video before filmed by AutoBlog on to properly clean your wheels.
How to Properly Clean Wheels Video
View Amazon’s Best Sellers Here
Comments
Best Car Waxes For A Long Lasting Shine | Epic Speed
[…] with the rusty look from brake dust all over the front wheels. Check out this site that lists the Top Ten Wheel & Tire Cleaners and reviews of each one; most of these are ones that we recommend as […]
Raj Sharma
I am glad that I came across the amazing article. As there are many cleaners in the market but this article helped a lot in choosing the best cleaner. Thanks for sharing such an amazing article. Keep posting such article