Just seen this posted on YT. I know a lot of you like to keep your wheels spotless.
I've seen this happen when the products are left on too long or where the sun had dried out products. So just beware.
I only use washing up liquid. I know some have salt content and can attract dust over time but it's cheap and doesn't cause damage to alloy and chrome
Re: Wheel cleaner beware
Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2025 10:26 am
by Capt Sisko
This is one of those dirty little secrets the industry doesn't talk about. 'Want a simple easy to use bike cleaner, just spray it on and watch the muck run off, use...' you can hear the marketing man say. And yes, that maybe be true, but what you're sparying over your bike is very likely to have a high PH value and be considered by scientists as a strong alkaline. PH values of 11 and worse are not uncommon. Sure it'll fetch off the road muck, but it's indiscriminate and has side affects.
The bottom line is that if your chosen cleaner has a Chemical Hazard Warning symbol on it you're dealing with nasty stuff and even if it doesn't but still says something like 'leave for no more than 10 minutes before washing off.... etc', beware.
Re: Wheel cleaner beware
Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2025 1:09 pm
by Doctor T
I used TFR(traffic film remover) for years. This is a strong cleaner and most cars,wheel cleaner is based on it but in a watered down frame. I've seen TFR remove Chrome from plastics within 5 minutes. It's the same stuff London riot vans use in their washer jets to remove the likes of petrol, oil bombs from the windscreens, the armed forces use the same stuff. It's a non flammable acid liquid. They don't care if it removes paint, just as long as it clears the windows.
I've used the stuff neat but washed it off as soon as I've brushed it on. I used to buy it in 25ltr barrels for around £15.
It's brilliant for clearing bugs off windscreens and for washing grease off household tiles and cleaning ovens.
Use it but be very careful