Often you will find tire cleaners claiming it’s the best cleaning solution. And when it comes to a tire cleaner, which one should you choose? Depending on the wheel type, you have to decide whether to get an acid or non-acid tire cleaner.
Indeed, both product types can remove grime, dirt, and dust from your wheels. So, which one is the better choice? Generally, an acid-based tire cleaner is best for cleaning tire dirt.
However, if your wheel has a certain chrome finish, you have to resort to a non-acid-based wheel cleaner. In this Acid vs non acid wheel cleaner content, we are explaining both the products so that you can reach a conclusion about which product to pick.
What Is an Acid Wheel Cleaner
Just as the name suggests, Acid wheel cleaners use powerful acid to remove brake dust, grime, and other residues. Now, wheel cleaning can be pretty frustrating. Acid based wheel cleaner can make the job easier. Also, there’s a slight chance that you will get hurt while using such products.
Naturally, the acidic wheel cleaner has powerful acid that will attack the surface area when used. The acid will attack away anything in front of it. Mainly, acidic wheel cleaner is excellent for dissolving metals.
However, you are not using a wheel cleaner to remove any combustible metal dust from the wheel. On the contrary, the cleaner can also remove stubborn adhesives from your wheel.
When we discuss wheel brighteners, acid-based tire cleaner is the perfect solution. But we should also know what type of acid is used in most acidic wheel cleaning products. Most manufacturers use hydrofluoric acid. It’s one of the most dangerous forms of acid available. If you inhale it directly, there’s a chance you will die.
So, should you avoid acidic tire cleaning products? Well, no! You have to determine the concentration level on the product label. To do so, make sure to understand the PH level and the acid concentration level before buying a product. Never go for a powerful cleaning solution on the label. Just try to check the concentration level and PH level on the product.
This brings us to another question if it’s that dangerous, why use such products? It turns out there are plenty of good things the acidic tire cleaner offers. We should try to discuss them in brief.
Advantages Of Acid Wheel Cleaner
A lot of people say ACW is an ‘old hat’ in the car cleaning industry. However, there are plenty of advantages acid wheel cleaners have to offer. Of course, the advantages indicate when to use acidic cleaners on your wheels. Let’s have a look at the product:
Best For Most Alloy Wheels
Just like we said, ACW can be a good match for alloy wheels. Also, wheels with a chrome finish can use acidic cleaners. There’s a myth regarding ACW on alloy wheels – it’s completely safe for your wheels. That’s not the case as you have to lighten up the concentration to get a proper clean. Indeed, acid-based cleaners are not best for every alloy wheel. Instead, it’s a good option for most wheels.
Saves You Time
Cleaning vehicle wheels is a pretty daunting task. And it costs you investing a lot of your time. When you are trying to make cleaning faster, ACW is the best solution. The acid will attack the wheel surface and gradually start to eat dust, adhesive, light grease, or any residue. This way, you don’t have to worry about removing any grime on your own.
A Cost-Effective Option
Acidic products are dangerous to some extent. But they are a cost-effective option over other industry-standard cleaning products. Wheels are costly. So, you have to take good care of your vehicle’s wheels to increase their longevity. Instead of using all purpose cleaner, you can use an acid wheel cleaner for better cost-efficiency.
Safe on Plastic Rims
This is another great advantage of using acid cleaners. The plastic rim slowly builds rusty dirt and heavy brake dust. In order to remove them quickly, you better use acidic cleaners. For heavier contamination, you need a strong concentration of acid. If used carefully, users will get the best results at an affordable option.
So, the advantages are clear. Acid-based tire cleaners can easily remove stubborn dirt or grime contamination. Generally, it’s a perfect solution for vehicles relying on constant braking. The burnt carbon after intense braking and shards of steel on the dust can cause heavy casualties for your tires. ACW offers great advantages for such vehicles.
Downsides Of Acid Wheel Cleaner
There are some major downsides to acid-based cleaning solutions. These solutions can cause serious casualties to your health and wheel.
Overly Corrosive
Acidic cleaning solution can be overly corrosive. So, there’s a chance that it will reduce the longevity of your wheels. Now, acidic cleaners are more aggressive than alkaline. So, the cleaner will surely damage your wheel rim or tire. Although acid-based cleaners work well with most tires, it’s responsible for developing corrosion on alloy rims.
Health Concern
This is the major disadvantage of avoiding acid wheel cleaning solutions. Inhaling a little bit of acid is harmful to your health. Hydrofluoric acid generally attacks your bones and causes severe damage. So, you have to stay extra careful while dealing with them.
What Is Non Acid Wheel Cleaner
When you are dealing with bare metal, using an acid wheel cleaner is not a good choice. Non acid wheel cleaner is a better substitute for strong acid solutions. It’s because a nonacidic tire cleaning solution is more of an all-purpose cleaner.
So, what is it? Basically, it’s a type of wheel cleaner that has no acid. Instead, these are detergent-based or alkaline-based chemical makeup solutions to clean your wheels. The spray cleaner will create a barrier on the wheel surface. Then, it can keep your vehicle wheel away from contamination.
It’s not dangerous for your skin or lungs. Also, non-acidic wheel cleaners are versatile. As a result, you can use it on just about any vehicle. Most auto professionals like to use acidic cleaners to clean wheels, but nonacidic ones are getting rather popular.
It’s because anyone can use them. But alongside the good side, there are some bad sides too. We better discuss them in brief.
Benefits Of Non Acid Wheel Cleaner
Here are the benefits you will get from using non-acidic wheel cleaners:
Not Harmful For Your Lungs And Skins
Acidic cleaners do come with risks. It will affect your skin and lungs. Only automotive professionals can deal with acidic products. Anyway, if you want to go DIY, non-acidic cleaners are the direct choice for you. Most of them are detergent-based, and you don’t have to worry about these products damaging your lungs or skin.
All-Purpose Cleaner
Nonacidic wheel cleaning products are an all-in-one cleaning solution. In short, you can use them to remove dirt or grime from just about anything. The label may say it’s recommended for removing dirt from car wheels. But nonacidic cleaners are all in one cleaning solution.
Good for Bare Metal Polish
Naturally, acid is not a good match for bare metals. Expensive car models have bare metal polish or auto parts. That’s why you should be extra careful while cleaning. And non-acid cleaners have a detergent base. As a result, it won’t harm your chrome finish or bare metal auto parts.
Non-flammable
Some acids may react with certain metals and create flames. Well, it’s a possibility. Nonacid cleaners are non-flammable. For this reason, it’s possible to maintain auto parts quality.
Downsides Of Non Acid Wheel Cleaner
Well, there aren’t too many bad sides to a nonacid cleaner. Here is the disadvantage of using such cleaners:
Not Effective Against Stubborn Dirt
Of course, these cleaners work pretty well with any type of vehicle. However, you can’t use it to remove stubborn grime or dirt. Usually, nonacidic solutions make a reaction with the dirt molecules and soften them. So, you have to use a few muscles and a soft wheel brush to get rid of them completely.
Costly
One thing for sure non acid cleaners cost more than acid solutions. Well, it’s not much comparatively. Anyway, if you are trying to get rid of gutsy specks of dirt, you have to use a lot of cleaner solutions. This demands more money. So, comparatively, it’s not a budget option.
Difference Between Acid Vs Non Acid Wheel Cleaner
So, what are the differences between acid and non acid wheel cleaners? Just from the instructions, it’s obvious that one has acid and the other doesn’t. Both are on the opposite spectrum. Let’s have a look at the main difference between the two:
One is Acidic and the Other Alkaline
It’s true that most of the companies are advertising that they are PH neutral. Well, that’s a marketing gimmick.
If the cleaner solution is PH neutral, then it’s more like water, right? But how can that help you get rid of dirt or grease? So, you have to ask the manufacturer – the cleaner is neutral to what actually?
Bearing this in mind, generally, acid cleaners have a strong acid base. However, manufacturers tend to reduce the acid concentration on an acidic cleaner. On the other hand, non acid cleaners have an alkaline base.
So, what is a base here anyway? Have you ever heard of the PH scale? Acid-base is generally measured in 1 to 6, and alkaline is measured between 7 to 14. Yes, you don’t have to become a chemistry student to understand these simple facts.
How They Perform
Just as we said, both of these products are from different spectrums. But both of these cleaners work pretty well. However, acidic cleaners tend to work seamlessly with corrosions, calcium deposits, rusts, and brake dust.
On the other hand, alkaline-based cleaners will work effectively on grease, natural stains, and dirt. What’s great is that acidic cleaners tend to react with the brake dust.
That’s why cleaning the brake dust using a wheel brush is effortless. But nonacidic cleaners don’t react with the surface, so you have to put effort into getting them cleaned.
But we should remind you that, even though acidic cleaners can make cleaning easier, sometimes they will even react and damage the bare metal surface and vehicle polish.
Health Concern
It’s true that acidic cleaners may cause a bit of fume. They are not good for your skin and lungs. Inhaling a little bit of acid cleaner solution will cause serious problems for your body.
It comes down to the acid concentration level on your cleaner solution. But you can avoid these dangers by wearing a mask and a pair of gloves.
On the other hand, nonacidic cleaners don’t share the risks of damaging your skin or lungs.
What Is Better – Acid Or Non Acid Wheel Cleaner?
We can’t create a thin line between the two, that’s for sure. The answer narrows down to just three simple questions. Which one can make your life easy? Which product is safe for you? And which product is cost-effective?
Acid based wheel cleaner starts to react with the dirt even before you start using the soft wheel brush. So, it’s surely making your task easier. However, acid formula cleaner is good for normal wheels.
When you are dealing with an expensive car or wheels with a certain finish, you better opt for nonacidic cleaner. Not to mention, almost every cleaning solution around us is nonacidic.
It depends on where you will use the product. Both types of cleaners do their job fine.
Which Is Much More Cost Effective?
Comparatively, non-acid wheel cleaners are more cost-effective on grease, brake dust, and dirt. It’s because non acid wheel cleaners are considered all-purpose cleaning solutions.
Not only can you use them to clean wheels, but also it’s a good option for cleaning other things. But if you want to clean car wheels faster, acid-based cleaners are the direct choice.
Acid Vs Non Acid Wheel Cleaner-FAQS
What Is An Acid Based Wheel Cleaner
An acid based wheel cleaner, also called a phosphoric acid based wheel cleaner, is a cleaning product that is used to remove dirt and grime from wheels. These cleaners contain a high percentage of phosphoric acid, which is what makes them so effective at dissolving brake dust and road grime. They also contain surfactants to help suspend dirt in solution.
What Is Wheel Acid Used For
Wheel acid is a highly corrosive liquid that is used to remove stubborn dirt, grime and rust from car wheels. When using wheel acid, you should always wear protective gear such as gloves and eye protection so that your hands do not get burned by this chemical while working with it.
Is Non-acid Wheel Cleaner Safe
Yes. Non-acid wheel cleaners are often called “all-purpose” cleaners because they can be used on any type of wheel. Because non-acid cleaners do not contain acids, they are safe for all types of wheels, including aluminum alloy wheels, chrome wheels and stainless steel wheels. They are a great alternative to traditional acid cleaners. They work just as well, but without the risk of being harmful to your paint.
Does Wheel Acid Damage Paint
Wheel acid does not damage paint, but it can cause other problems if applied incorrectly. If you want to apply wheel acid, make sure you purchase it from a reputable dealer who has an all-wheel drive product that is specifically designed for cleaning wheels. Wheel acid can cause damage your vehicle’s wheels if they are not properly cleaned after use.
Related Post: Can You Wax Painted Wheels | Here Is A Quick Guide
Conclusion
Whether to get an acid wheel cleaner or a non-acid alkaline-based cleaner? That depends on you. In this acid vs non-acid wheel cleaner discussion, we tried to cover everything there is to know about these industry-standard products.
Both types of wheel cleaners do a commendable job in cleaning brake dust or other dirt. And creating a thin line on which one is the best is pretty tough. If you ask which one is the safest – it’s the non acid cleaner.
For risk management, professionals like to use non-acidic cleaners. Nonetheless, most auto professionals are popular acid wheel cleaners because they complete the job faster.
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