Will Wheel Cleaner Strip Your Wheel?

[Chris@Adams]

This question as been coming up a lot lately.....Will WC strip your PS or whatever protection you may have.

So I thought I would do a little testing tonight.

First I applied a coat of PS.

 

Then I spayed the wheel down with WC, let it work  for 15 min. or so then agitated with the Wheel Brush.

I didn't expect a lot of purple action because the wheels were pretty clean, however that wasn't the purpose of this test because we all know how well the WC works.

 

 

After brushing I rinsed  the WC off.

You can see the water beading in the before WC pic.

 

And you can see in this pic is after cleaned with Wheel Cleaner.

The PS may have been stripped slightly but as you can see the wheel still beads up.

[BrianT]

Thanks Chris, what a great idea for test! that's great news!

[Ls1transam]

Paint sealant must be some sticky stuff! The Wheel Cleaner is no joke!

[Mariner]

Hey thanks! I asked this question a few hours ago in a different thread, and here's the answer! Thanks Chris.

Edited August 17, 2016 by Mariner

[clg82]

Since we're on the topic of paint sealant on wheels…what's the difference between putting that and brilliant glaze on chrome rims?

[avimore]

Thanks for doing this Chris

 

Out of curiosity, how long did you let it cure before applying Wheel Cleaner?  I'm assuming you only put one coat of Paint Sealant?

 

Thanks.

[Chris@Adams]

Since we're on the topic of paint sealant on wheels…what's the difference between putting that and brilliant glaze on chrome rims?

BG will give you great shine but no protection.

I would lay down a coat of BG first then lay down a coat of PS.

[Chris@Adams]

Thanks for doing this Chris

 

Out of curiosity, how long did you let it cure before applying Wheel Cleaner? I'm assuming you only put one coat of Paint Sealant?

 

Thanks.

Not long, and yes one coat of PS.

[pirahnah3]

Im impressed. Def can see a difference, but good to know that we can prob get away with one cleaning if need be on a rim. 

[Ricky Bobby]

Good testing Chris! I'd say it's degraded but still protecting. Probably after 2 or 3 uses of wheel cleaner you would be stripped.

[MaverickC2]

Hrm, I was told this in a previous thread.... is this not the case anymore?

 

 

 

So its kind of a complex situation - Deep Wheel Cleaner as it sits won't remove the protection, its actually at, or very close to neutral pH (production variance can have it + or - a small percentage, but for the sake of argument lets assume its neutral) The active ingredient, the stuff that changes colors, is actually an acid - the rest of the makeup of the product is alkaline to balance it out to neutral.

When the acid part of the formula reacts with the metallics it goes thru a chemical change, and the alkaline portion of the formula takes over pushing the pH scale towards the alkaline side.

So - long story short - when its first sprayed on DWC won't do anything to break down protection, but as it reacts it becomes increasingly alkaline which will to a degree 'degrade' the protection. At no point do I think its strong enough to remove quick sealant, but it probably could after a few uses.

http://www.adamsforums.com/topic/28408-quick-sealant-and-deep-wheel-cleaner/#entry445660 

[sahls01gmc]

Quick Sealant is a different animal all together, but it says in your quote that it will degrade....just as Chris demonstrated.

 

Awesome first hand results!