[drivingagain]

Originally Posted by SPARTAN sui

A dedicated wheel cleaner helps to remove the iron deposits off the wheel. It's not necessary unless you have baked on brake dust, but it helps. It allows you to use as little agitation as necessary to clean the wheels. You don't want to scrub the brake dust into the finish of the wheels. Car shampoo/soap works just as well, but a dedicated cleaner does work noticeably better at lifting the deposits away from the finish. It comes at a price though, an actual monetary price, and the fact the stuff smells like death.

I don't need a dedicated cleaner anymore in my regimen because I switched to a ceramic brake pad, but I used to use a boars hair brush for the face of the wheel, a wheel woolie for the barrel, and lug nut brush for the lug nuts. I'm probably going to start using just a microfiber mitt now with car shampoo as the brushes aren't entirely necessary because I'm not worried about scrubbing abrasive brake dust into my wheel finish.

This makes sense. Never thought of the iron deposits creating scratches in the wheel paint. Really never had any scratches I can say caused the rims to show those kind of light scratches.

[SSport16]

Originally Posted by drivingagain

I really do not even use wheel cleaner any more. Not sure why it is necessary really. I used to use sonax on old rims that were hard to clean. Like GLen used Hydro2 on a clean rim then never needed sonax again. My recent new rims I coated them with CQuartz Dlux and Carpro reset soap with the speed master brush and they sparkle clean with hardly any scrubbing at all. Wheels come clean with just soap and a light scrub on all my vehicles really. When people ask for better rim cleaner is it because they do not want to lightly brush the wheels with soap?

I too clean my wheels with MF towels and if not too dirty, wipe down or use some rinseless wash or rinseless detailer mix. I am starting to detail on the side and hoping to turn it into a full time business, so I may be forced to use some wheel cleaners especially on smaller wheels that are hard to get hands inside the barrels to clean...I have never been a fan of wheel and tire cleaners, but do use them occassionally.

[Redlinez]

Well, after having to clean my 15 Mustang GT PP wheels, these 5 spoke deals are stupid easy! I even bought a Speedmaster wheel brush from RPI Designs, which just allows me to clean the barrel of these wheels with ease. I use the Meguiars car wash and a small bug scrubber type sponge to clean my wheels.

[drivingagain]

Originally Posted by SSport16

I too clean my wheels with MF towels and if not too dirty, wipe down or use some rinseless wash or rinseless detailer mix. I am starting to detail on the side and hoping to turn it into a full time business, so I may be forced to use some wheel cleaners especially on smaller wheels that are hard to get hands inside the barrels to clean...I have never been a fan of wheel and tire cleaners, but do use them occassionally.

I forgot you were doing detailing on the side as well. All kinds of different situations with that.

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

I agree with Glen on the Duragloss. Works as good as anything else, costs much less. A wheel woolie is great for cleaning the barrels.

[Gilley]

Since changing brake pads to the Power Stops, brake dust isn't a problem anymore . I use a microfiber towel and quick detailer.

[SSport16]

Originally Posted by drivingagain

I forgot you were doing detailing on the side as well. All kinds of different situations with that.

Yeah just trying to figure out those difficult situations that I may run into.

[SSport16]

Originally Posted by Joe M 2012 2SS

I agree with Glen on the Duragloss. Works as good as anything else, costs much less. A wheel woolie is great for cleaning the barrels.

Yeah I have to order some of that and try it out. I do like their products and their prices are really good.

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

Most of the people you will run across want 3 basic things.

1) Clean exterior

2) Clean and fresh smelling interior.

3) Shiny tires.

Most people don't even know what swirls are, and if you show them, they still don't care.
Many people want something for nothing.
Your best customers will be people who love their cars as much as you love yours, but don't have the time, ability, or understanding of what to do. This is the customer you want. They will also know other people who feel the same way about their cars.
Set these people up on a monthly repeat payment. You go once a week or every other week, and do what is needed. Wash, vacuum, add protection if needed, buff any spots that might occur.
Once you get 4 or 5 regulars like this, you'll have steady work.
Then you wont have to deal with people who want a full paint correction for $200.
Be sure your car and work area are spotless when visiting with potential customers.
People who really care will notice this. Tell the Yahoo's they'd be better off going to AutoBell (politely).

[7WSM]

Brown Royal. I dilute it in a gallon pump sprayer. Before I start the wash, I spray all my wheels down, set up my pressure washer, then just hose Brown Royal off with my pressure washer. I NEVER touch my wheels, inner barrels, brake calipers, or tires when cleaning them. I have used most of the other way more expensive wheel cleaners, Iron X, Sonax, ect. Nothing beats Brown Royal for the price. I think it's around 25 bucks per gallon, then I can dilute it down.

[SSport16]

Originally Posted by Joe M 2012 2SS

Most of the people you will run across want 3 basic things.

1) Clean exterior

2) Clean and fresh smelling interior.

3) Shiny tires.

Most people don't even know what swirls are, and if you show them, they still don't care.
Many people want something for nothing.
Your best customers will be people who love their cars as much as you love yours, but don't have the time, ability, or understanding of what to do. This is the customer you want. They will also know other people who feel the same way about their cars.
Set these people up on a monthly repeat payment. You go once a week or every other week, and do what is needed. Wash, vacuum, add protection if needed, buff any spots that might occur.
Once you get 4 or 5 regulars like this, you'll have steady work.
Then you wont have to deal with people who want a full paint correction for $200.
Be sure your car and work area are spotless when visiting with potential customers.
People who really care will notice this. Tell the Yahoo's they'd be better off going to AutoBell (politely).

Thanks for the advice...this is exactly what I am trying to do and going for. I am looking for those exact customers, not looking to be a "car wash". I dealt with the same thing years ago when I had a computer repair business, wanted me to work on their computers that would take hours for $25. The monthly thing is exactly what I am going to promote, I want to push the idea of coming back on a monthly/regular basis, either once a week or every other week, depending what they want and explain to them that once the vehicle is done the first time, those touchups and cleanings regularly is what will keep their vehicles the way they want them.

There is big money in my area and I know a lot of people in NASCAR and the like, so hoping to spread the word through those people.

Appreciate the advice!

[thescreensavers]

Ive tried Expensive (Sonax) to Cheap (Eagle 1) they all work about the same.

But Soap and water work just fine, no need to go fancy.

[Nor Cal ZL1]

Get them clean and coat them, or use a sealant. I have found Car Pro Ech2o detail spray mix to work well on non coated, as well as coated. Clean up is pretty easy.