**This was written a few weeks ago - but had to submit a product proposal because there was no category**
Today, I did what most folks do on a Sunday - I cleaned the car. To be more specific, I cleaned the wheels (the rest of the car waits til I get to work and use the jetwash, hehe). To do this, I enrolled a little professional help - in the form of Wonder Wheels Wheel Cleaning Kit. To those of you who haven't heard of Wonder Wheels products' - where have you been! They are reknowned and respected by the motor industry as a superior cleaning product, and recommended & approved by (I am quoting from the packaging here) TVR, AC Sports Cars, Haynes Manual, MG Owners Club, Jaguar Driver's Club and rated No 1 product by AutoTrade,
What Car, AutoExpress and Autocar who all give glowing reviews and accolades.
When I bought this about a month ago at my local Motorworld retailer, I specifically asked for a cleaner recommended for the purpose of cleaning alloy wheels. I have recently had some alloys fitted and wanted to keep them pristine - so I was determined to get the most effective cleaner I could. The assistant recommended this and trying not to sound like a total peasant, I asked if there was anything cheaper - I quickly retracted this last remark when he handed me what I can only descibe as a budget affair which looked like a cheap window cleaning spray...
Fast forward to today. Shona looks lovingly out of the window onto the drive where Green Machine is happily parked up, admiration quickly turns to panic and shame when she realises how grubby her alloys are looking ... come on down Wonder Wheels.
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On the whole, this is a fairly distinctive box - the range all carries the same theme. A tall box (22cm x 10cm), with a silver background which shows illustrations of alloys in their before, during and after stages using the product. There are, as previously mentioned a lot of recommendations from other motoring bodies/magazines endorsing the Wonder Wheels product. On the reverse of the box, there is a useage guide to determine whether the product will be suitable for your needs. In short, the only time it advises against use is when you have split rims, damaged laquer, chrome plated wheels or un-laquered wheels.
The hype on the side of the box says "Wonder Wheels is the No 1 selling wheel cleaning kit. The dynamic formula cuts through thick grease and baked-on brake dust, instantly leaving wheels sparkling clean. Use on most types of wheel including alloy wheels, laquered alloy wheels, steel wheels and plastic wheel trims. Cleans, protects and restores".
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So, what is inside this dynamic box you exclaim! Well, the kit is comprised of 1 x 500ml wheel cleaner, 1 pure bristle brush and 1 dispensing pot (the dispensing pot is more like a lid from a tin of pledge but it does it's job).
Using this could not be easier. Simply pour the wheel cleaner into the dispenser "cap" (4 alloys take about a half of this capful to clean) and I recommend that you take off surplus muck and grime with a cloth and some soapy water first (which means no unnecessary wastage of cleaner). This done, take your fat bristle brush and dip into the cleaner. Get into all those nooks and crannies where that goddamn pesky brake dust settles - and it'll froth up very nicely. The brush makes this super easy - this would be especially hard to accomplish decent results without it if you have quite "spokey" alloys. Once you've been in all the hard to reach areas, rinse off with some clean water and then towel dry.
This took me about 10 minutes per wheel to do properly (front wheels are usually the worst due to disc brakes being on the front collecting all the brake dust - and drum brakes to the rear - however, some models have disc brakes to the rear as well) and the results were impressive. It definately adds more sparkle to your wheels than soapy water ever would, and will help maintain your wheels' condition (let's face it, alloys aren't cheap so look after them!). For full effect I finished off with a spray of tyre slick gloss to give the tyres a showroom shine - Wonder Wheels do a tyre treatment also, but I don't have this yet!
I would estimate (judging by what I used today), that this 500ml bottle will last for 7 - 8 applications possibly more, which is good because this will cost you £7.50 in Motorworld - so just over £1 per application - only 25 pence per wheel! (okay - I've lost the plot).
One big word of warning though - DO NOT GET THIS ON YOUR CLOTHES. My tracksuit bottoms are now covered in yellow/orange/green spots and splashes because of the acid this product contains. They are totally unwearable now, so take heed. THERE IS NO WARNING ON THE BOX/CONTAINER. I have written a letter of complaint to the manufacturer to inform them of this oversight so we will see what their reply is. That said, I would wholeheartedly recommend this product - to get those spokes gleaming!
Wonder Wheels also do a "Resin Polish" which is an intensive conditioning polish for your bodywork - this is also well worth investing in for it's mirror like shine
There is a web address for help & advice: www.cares4cars.co.uk
the address of the Manufacturer is: Tetrosyl Ltd (automotive division), Bury, Lancashire, England BL9 6RE
@@UPDATE@@
I received a big box full of Carplan products yesterday and a letter which apologised for the damage to my clothing and promised an investigation into this. I was delighted with everything they sent and replied with a letter of thanks. Lets hope the packaging receives an update soon!
Tickly 2003
by (6%):
This product has not yet been reviewed.
30.09.2006 00:44
Bought some Wonder Wheels after reading this and my Mazda RX8 wheels now look like new!!!! Excellent, and accurate review.
24.01.2005 22:52
Been using wonder wheels for years now,great product,good review--Adam
03.02.2004 15:21
i tried this product it is brill xx