Using Sonax Wheel Cleaner properly?

Jive · 11-05-2013, 01:30 PM

So I know its not rocket science, but wanted some opinions. I used Sonax wheel cleaner this weekend, sprayed on, let it sit, watched all the shit just melt off. Washed off. Worked great.

After I finished cleaning the rest of the car, I decided to take her for a ride. Upon my return, I found the purple goop (Sonax and brake dust mixture) all over the side of my car, presumably spit up from goop that didn't wash off from somewhere in the wheel area.

I used a hose with a jet nozzle to wash off the Sonax instead of a pressure washer as they suggest on the directions but I made sure to be thorough in cleaning it off. Could this be where I went wrong? Would a regular jet nozzle not be strong enough to get all of the existing goop found in some crevices in the brakes and wheels?

I'm sure i'm not the only one to experience this?

lcrain · 11-05-2013, 01:55 PM

While I have never experienced having the cleaner/dust ending up on my car, you do need to be very thorough when cleaning off the wheels after the sonax has done it's job. I don't know how you do it, but it is much easier to be completely thorough if the wheels are off.

I will (with the wheels off) spray sonax, let sonax take effect, rinse with hose, then follow up with a damp microfiber sponge/mitt inside/outside the wheels, let them dry in the sun then do another once over with a microfiber towel.

Not the quickest way to clean the wheels, but I also don't use sonax every time I wash the car. Typically after a track day I will do an extensive cleaning of the car which includes sonax on both the track wheels and the stock wheels. I use soap/water/adams all purpose cleaner for my "regular" cleaning of the wheels.

W/// · 11-05-2013, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jive

So I know its not rocket science, but wanted some opinions. I used Sonax wheel cleaner this weekend, sprayed on, let it sit, watched all the shit just melt off. Washed off. Worked great.

After I finished cleaning the rest of the car, I decided to take her for a ride. Upon my return, I found the purple goop (Sonax and brake dust mixture) all over the side of my car, presumably spit up from goop that didn't wash off from somewhere in the wheel area.

I used a hose with a jet nozzle to wash off the Sonax instead of a pressure washer as they suggest on the directions but I made sure to be thorough in cleaning it off. Could this be where I went wrong? Would a regular jet nozzle not be strong enough to get all of the existing goop found in some crevices in the brakes and wheels?

I'm sure i'm not the only one to experience this?

Never experienced that before. But I go over with a brush and mitt too (or used to when I had ZCP's). I guess just clean more thoroughly too.

rjd598 · 11-05-2013, 03:49 PM

Like others have said just make sure you thoroughly clean the wheels after with your hose or pressure washer. I would use a pressure washer as it'll get all the gunk off more effectively

Jive · 11-05-2013, 04:11 PM

Thanks for the suggestions fellas.

JJunkins · 11-07-2013, 12:49 PM

You may have some residual material pooling in the vents of your brake discs. Be sure to rinse thoroughly then roll your car forward or back to dump the material from the vents. Most people end up with rusty water spots on their barrels immediately after washing and driving off.

BimmerRob08 · 11-07-2013, 09:51 PM

I use Sonax regularly when washing my car. I'll spray it on the wheels as I'm filling the wash bucket, I start washing the car, and let the Sonax do its job. When I'm done washing the car, last thing I was is the wheels so that way the chemicals have turned red and eaten up all the brake dust/grime. But DON'T let the stuff dry completely.

I then spray some water on each wheel to get the stuff wet, then scrub with a wheel brush. Just chemicals alone are never going to get everything just perfect so a little brushing help is needed. It'll all sud up real good then spray the entire wheels, brakes, etc. off real good.

Never had any of that stuff sling onto the car. I also shamey dry the wheels when I'm done detailing the car so there is no more water bubbles or spots left.

Good luck, Sonax is great stuff and won't damage caliper paint either!

11-05-2013, 01:30 PM	#1
Jive Lieutenant 159 Rep 580 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 M3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Using Sonax Wheel Cleaner properly? So I know its not rocket science, but wanted some opinions. I used Sonax wheel cleaner this weekend, sprayed on, let it sit, watched all the shit just melt off. Washed off. Worked great. After I finished cleaning the rest of the car, I decided to take her for a ride. Upon my return, I found the purple goop (Sonax and brake dust mixture) all over the side of my car, presumably spit up from goop that didn't wash off from somewhere in the wheel area. I used a hose with a jet nozzle to wash off the Sonax instead of a pressure washer as they suggest on the directions but I made sure to be thorough in cleaning it off. Could this be where I went wrong? Would a regular jet nozzle not be strong enough to get all of the existing goop found in some crevices in the brakes and wheels? I'm sure i'm not the only one to experience this? __________________ 2013 E92 M3 Mineral White Fox Red / Black
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11-05-2013, 01:55 PM	#2
lcrain Captain 56 Rep 865 Posts Drives: e36 m3, TT-RS Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (1)	While I have never experienced having the cleaner/dust ending up on my car, you do need to be very thorough when cleaning off the wheels after the sonax has done it's job. I don't know how you do it, but it is much easier to be completely thorough if the wheels are off. I will (with the wheels off) spray sonax, let sonax take effect, rinse with hose, then follow up with a damp microfiber sponge/mitt inside/outside the wheels, let them dry in the sun then do another once over with a microfiber towel. Not the quickest way to clean the wheels, but I also don't use sonax every time I wash the car. Typically after a track day I will do an extensive cleaning of the car which includes sonax on both the track wheels and the stock wheels. I use soap/water/adams all purpose cleaner for my "regular" cleaning of the wheels. Last edited by lcrain; 11-05-2013 at 05:04 PM..
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11-05-2013, 03:49 PM	#4
rjd598 Banned 1770 Rep 6,696 Posts Drives: F30 340i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego,CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i [0.00]	Like others have said just make sure you thoroughly clean the wheels after with your hose or pressure washer. I would use a pressure washer as it'll get all the gunk off more effectively
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11-05-2013, 04:11 PM	#5
Jive Lieutenant 159 Rep 580 Posts Drives: 2013 E92 M3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the suggestions fellas. __________________ 2013 E92 M3 Mineral White Fox Red / Black
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11-07-2013, 12:49 PM	#6
JJunkins M3GAHTZ 13 Rep 232 Posts Drives: 2014 S4 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	You may have some residual material pooling in the vents of your brake discs. Be sure to rinse thoroughly then roll your car forward or back to dump the material from the vents. Most people end up with rusty water spots on their barrels immediately after washing and driving off.
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11-07-2013, 09:51 PM	#7
BimmerRob08 Major 110 Rep 1,311 Posts Drives: 2008 M3, Space Gray Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: KIKR (ABQ), NM iTrader: (0)	I use Sonax regularly when washing my car. I'll spray it on the wheels as I'm filling the wash bucket, I start washing the car, and let the Sonax do its job. When I'm done washing the car, last thing I was is the wheels so that way the chemicals have turned red and eaten up all the brake dust/grime. But DON'T let the stuff dry completely. I then spray some water on each wheel to get the stuff wet, then scrub with a wheel brush. Just chemicals alone are never going to get everything just perfect so a little brushing help is needed. It'll all sud up real good then spray the entire wheels, brakes, etc. off real good. Never had any of that stuff sling onto the car. I also shamey dry the wheels when I'm done detailing the car so there is no more water bubbles or spots left. Good luck, Sonax is great stuff and won't damage caliper paint either!
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