Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner

[serranot]

I'm different than a lot of M3 owners on this forum; I hate--HATE--washing my car. I like a clean car but hate the hassle and waste of time that car washing is to me. So I was regretting having to wash the car after waiting for so long--6 months or so. I was especially flinching about washing the wheels, with that nuclear waste BMW brake pad material.

After researching cleaners, I settled on Sonax Full Effect. Without getting too detailed, the stuff is AMAZING! There is no wheel cleaner I have found that just works with a rinse; you have to use a sponge or brush and soap after the cleaner rinse. But the Sonax did such a good job of turning the baked on brake dust into something that easily sponged off I couldn't believe it. It was well worth the money.

So, if you're lazy like me and want an awesome wheel cleaner, look no further than this stuff.

I have no affiliation with Sonax other than being a lazy, satisfied user.

[odiesback]

SONAX is really a great product, second to none.

I got one kind at an AGIP gas station in Munich that I cant find
here in the US, but the Full Effect is awesome.

I love washing and detailing my M3. That's the time I get to appreciate
all the fine details of the car up close.

[roastbeef]

i've been using sonax for a while and i absolutely love the stuff.

[thekurgan]

Have to agree with the Sonax product, but I'm skeptical of it getting on the rotors and pitting them. I usually only use the sonax once a year when I pull the wheels off and it really works well.

[Dreamz]

I just picked up the stuff from autogeek, along with some other things recommended for exterior care. I can't wait to start using it.

[sy2767]

What color is your car Serranot? Don't think I've ever seen that before.

[pepsih]

I love that product too but did you try to buy Meguiars APC.
this is much cheaper (a gallon cost around 20-30 usd, sonax cost around 100),
i use SONAX when i detail the car but i use meguiars when i wash it weekly

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by pepsih

I love that product too but did you try to buy Meguiars APC.
this is much cheaper (a gallon cost around 20-30 usd, sonax cost around 100),
i use SONAX when i detail the car but i use meguiars when i wash it weekly

Apc on wheels has to be diluted. The point of sonax is for occasional use. Once used you should seal the rims and then only wash with soap and water. Once the sealant wears off you might not even really need sonax again but for the sake of having a really clean wheel go ahead and do that whole process again

[W///]

Nothing worse than washing 220M's after a couple of months (which is where I'm at). SONAX + power washer + Daytona wheel brush is tolerable. But I'm with the OP, love having a squeaky clean car, hate washing it though.

[6spdg37s]

I love having a clean car ... love/hate washing it... especially in the winter. but I try to keep on top of it cause it is brutal after a few months of not cleaning it...

love sonax full effect wheel cleaner... stuff is definitely THE SHIT !

[Raz335]

Can you spray this stuff on without agitating and rinse off with high pressure resulting in a clean wheel? Our BMW's with stock pads have very thick brake dust that sticks to the wheels.

[THE TECH]

I liked the Sonax but felt it might be a tad too harsh. I'm really liking the Griot's Wheel Cleaner which is approved by BBS.

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by Raz335

Can you spray this stuff on without agitating and rinse off with high pressure resulting in a clean wheel? Our BMW's with stock pads have very thick brake dust that sticks to the wheels.

Yes it's possible. But the back barrels might not get proper cleaning without agitation

[adc]

No love for the P21S gel?

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by adc

No love for the P21S gel?

Great product as well

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by THE TECH

I liked the Sonax but felt it might be a tad too harsh. I'm really liking the Griot's Wheel Cleaner which is approved by BBS.

How come you thought it may be too harsh? Isnt the Sonax cleaner non-acidic?

[radiofrequency]

Sonax FE Wheel Cleaner is a tremendous product. I typically spray the wheel and agitate with the big blue brush which helps to get the inside barrel of the wheel clean. I also leave the Sonax on for about 10 minutes, provided the car is in the shade and the wheel is cold. I use P21S every other wash as Sonax is expensive, even though I buy the 5 liter container. It also helps to dry the wheel completely after rinsing.

[gatorfast]

Just used sonax for the first time this morning and I'm a little disappointed. My car had about two weeks of brake dust/dirt built up and my wheels are silver which makes it very noticeable. Sprayed on the sonax and let it go to work...sprayed it off with water and was shocked to see a decent amount of brake dust remained. Don't get me wrong, it was def cleaner than before but reading reviews of the stuff I expected the wheels to be spotless.

[sensi09]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Just used sonax for the first time this morning and I'm a little disappointed. My car had about two weeks of brake dust/dirt built up and my wheels are silver which makes it very noticeable. Sprayed on the sonax and let it go to work...sprayed it off with water and was shocked to see a decent amount of brake dust remained. Don't get me wrong, it was def cleaner than before but reading reviews of the stuff I expected the wheels to be spotless.

^Still need to agitate all the same. So for a regularly maintained car, I feel dedicated wheel cleaners can be a bit of a waste of money.

[Templar]

Originally Posted by Raz335

Can you spray this stuff on without agitating and rinse off with high pressure resulting in a clean wheel? Our BMW's with stock pads have very thick brake dust that sticks to the wheels.

No.

Thick brake dust on the wheel will always require agitation. There is no such thing as a "spray on/rinse off" wheel cleaner. Even SONAX can't do it.

My advice for best maintained wheels is to take them off, clean with SONAX and remove all brake dust, dry thoroughly, apply wheel wax or sealant, then put back on the car. Do this, and you'll likely only need soap and water and a little agitation to remove future dirt/brake dust until the wax/sealant wears off...

[W///]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Just used sonax for the first time this morning and I'm a little disappointed. My car had about two weeks of brake dust/dirt built up and my wheels are silver which makes it very noticeable. Sprayed on the sonax and let it go to work...sprayed it off with water and was shocked to see a decent amount of brake dust remained. Don't get me wrong, it was def cleaner than before but reading reviews of the stuff I expected the wheels to be spotless.

I don't think a product like that exists. You absolutely have to use a wheel brush to clean the wheels still. Even using a power washer after applying SONAX wheel cleaner doesn't do the trick.

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

How come you thought it may be too harsh? Isnt the Sonax cleaner non-acidic?

The smell reminds me of other harsh chemicals. I'm not preaching that it is but I was satisfied with the Griot's that's approved by BBS since both sets of wheels that I have are made by them. That's good enough for me.