Hey guys,

I ran out of my usual Eagle One wheel cleaner yesterday, but I remembered hearing something about using Simple Green. Well, I used it straight from the bottle and it worked great ... actually, much better than the Eagle One cleaner. My question ... if I don't dilute Simple Green and keep using it full-strength, will it harm my wheels?

... Thanks

No it will not hurt your wheels. All top wheel companies (Fikse, Kinesis, HRE, BBS) all recommend that you only use simple green on there wheels. My brother and I use it on our wheels and have had great success and no damage for around 2-3 years of using it. He has HREs and I have BBS. Simple Green is also the best to use on non-clearcoated wheels. Later

I had heard this about Simple Green a few years back and didn't know if it was an urban legend or not. Apparently Simple Green is corrosive to aluminum. Now, before everyone starts throwing their bottles into the trash, I need to elaborate.

The Army and Air Force guys used to love this stuff to clean their aircraft until a report came out in 1989. Here's the link:

http://www.avweb.com/other/usaf0020b1.pdf

In this test, they immersed the aluminum in the SG for a number of days and found that the SG was corrosive. A number of guys on the motorcycle forum I frequent refuse to use the stuff.

Here's the deal. SG is safe and effective to use on aluminum as long as you rinse it away completely. I've used it on my R1 for 4 years with no negative effects. I've used it on engine bays on other cars and just about anything else you can think of.

Just remember, if you spray it directly on your wheels, you're probably getting it on your aluminum calipers. Not to worry, make sure to hose everything off with plenty of water and you'll be fine.

I have seen a car where the owner attempted to clean marks on the paint with simple green. It was not a pretty sight. That car would require a new paint job. If you are going to use it, make sure you don't overspray.

Originally posted by m3ltw98
All top wheel companies (Fikse, Kinesis, HRE, BBS) all recommend that you only use simple green on there wheels.

That is so false. If that is true, then why do you see other wheel cleaners (ie Griots) have "recommended by BBS" stickers on them?

That's what I thought...

And the instructions that come with HRE say to use car shampoo and water, not Simple Green.

Shit dawg...

This are the guidlines I use on my Limix Linea's wheels. They are imported from Japan so I try to take car for them as much as I can...

How To Take Care Of Your Wheels...

With proper care, your wheel finish can be maintained for years.
First, and most importantly, NEVER let heavy brake dust accumulate on the wheels for an extended period. Frequent cleaning is essential--much like a fine car finish. Most brake pad material becomes highly acidic when mixed with rain or water. This acidic mix of brake dust and water can damage any wheel if left on them too long.

Second, it is important to avoid using off-the-shelf “Wheel Cleaner” products which are typically designed for use on lower quality cast metals. These, too are usually far too acidic for high performance wheels. Fikse recommends a 50/50% mix of biodegradeable cleaner called Simple Green and cold water. Never use hot water on aluminum, and always let the wheels cool to room temperature before cleaning. Use a natural sable bristle paint brush (available in the paint department of most hardware stores) to clean the lug pockets and spoke corner areas.

Third, clean using this process:

Spray the wheel with the 50/50 Simple Green/water mix.
Let stand for 15-30 seconds, using the soft sable brush to loosen the dirt as mentioned,
Rinse with cold water.
Repeat this process as necessary to get the wheel fully clean.
To dry the wheel, drive the car around the block to fling off excess water, then pat the wheel gently with a soft, dry, cotton cloth.
Fourth, most of our wheels have the center section clearcoated and the rims polished but left uncoated. This means that the outer rim (if the wheel finish is TechniPolish, neither coated nor anodized) can be touch-up polished with a very fine grade metal polish.

Fifth, once your wheels are clean and dry, you may apply a very light coat of highest-grade wax to the wheels to help protect them between cleanings.

Finally, it is always advisable to test all cleaning and wheel care materials on a small inconspicuous part of your wheel to determine if the products are producing the results you’re seeking—Fikse wheels come in a wide variety of finishes and product formulations change over time. Fikse warranties do not apply to damage caused by improper care or cleaning, so testing any products before use is imperative.

Copy and pasted from Fikse's website. Works great!!

Jason

Just splurge and get some P21S wheel cleaner.