Dishwashing Liquid on rims WORKS!!!! - United Bimmer Community

**delmarco** · 07-07-2005, 12:39 AM

So I just used AJAX degreaser/antibacterial orange scented Dishwaser liquid on my rims and I literally cleaned and polished all my rims in under 20 minutes...

with BMW wheel cleaner or Mr. Clean soap it usually takes me 20 minutes per rim.

I think the difference lies in the fact that the dishwasher liquuid has a degreaser in it and something else that polishes the metal surface on the rims.

I used about 3-4 table spoons on a large soft sponge and a high pressure hose to soap up the sponge and rinse and I was good to go.

Try it...much cheaper and quicker!

**Spieluhr** · 07-07-2005, 03:06 AM

not a bad idea for wheels. But I would NEVER use that. The risk of the soap splashing up onto the paint is too high and because dishwashing soap is so hard and abrasive it will ruin your paint. It would be a great idea if you were to take off each wheel and wash them away from the car.

**528man** · 07-07-2005, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spieluhr

not a bad idea for wheels. But I would NEVER use that. The risk of the soap splashing up onto the paint is too high and because dishwashing soap is so hard and abrasive it will ruin your paint. It would be a great idea if you were to take off each wheel and wash them away from the car.

**bmw4life** · 07-07-2005, 08:40 AM

I don't think I would use dishwashing liquid...I use P21S and it works great.

**EnvyM3** · 07-07-2005, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spieluhr

not a bad idea for wheels. But I would NEVER use that. The risk of the soap splashing up onto the paint is too high and because dishwashing soap is so hard and abrasive it will ruin your paint. It would be a great idea if you were to take off each wheel and wash them away from the car.

Dishwashing liquid will dull the clear coat but will not affect the paint. I actually used to use it to wash my old jetta and the paint was never harmed. I'm not advising that you use it on your car but it's affects are less impactful than you stated. If you get a couple drops on your car, it's not a big deal.

I do use palmolive on my wheels now though and it works great b/c of the degreaser. However, if you do it, be careful not to select a liquid that contains bleach.

**Spieluhr** · 07-07-2005, 02:17 PM

^^^
even if the effects were not that bad, and it just dulled the clear coat, I would still not do it. Not worth it on 9 year old paint that already requires a lot of attention.

**straight6pwr** · 07-09-2005, 06:20 PM

i only use dishwasher soap to clean my car. heres the deal: the PO of my e30 (my dad) has owned the car since 1990. the only thing he ever used to clean it with was dishwashing soap. it has some of the best paint youll find on a 18 year old car.

even if you dont like using it all the time, ive heard its at least good to use it before a wax to help get everything off.

**delmarco** · 07-17-2005, 10:57 AM

I guess they are different types of liquids you can and cant use.
I also suppose some Dishwashing liquids are WAY more abrasive than others.
Anyway...I can't imagine washing my entire car with dishwashing liquid, but my rims are beautiful from it and my hands are oh so soft!!! *wink, wink*

lol!!!

**Beelzibub** · 08-03-2005, 11:01 AM

I also used to wash my cars with washing up liquid and there was never a problem - it's just soap.

nick_318is · 08-03-2005, 04:18 PM

Yea I used to always use Dishwasher soap and still do if I dont have any good Car Washing Soap, but it is definitly the easiest thing to use to clean the wheels.

**e30boarder** · 08-05-2005, 04:42 PM

I work for the old man... he owns a mobile detail company.
We have a few different chemicals we use on wheels... we have this foamy acid stuff that works great on dirty wheels. Just dont get it on yourself cuz itll leave scars.

Then we have some other pink stuff we use on cleaner wheels thats a lot less harsh. You spray the wheels down and just hit em with a pressure washer and theyre clean.

**gotKRAUT** · 08-21-2005, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spieluhr

not a bad idea for wheels. But I would NEVER use that. The risk of the soap splashing up onto the paint is too high and because dishwashing soap is so hard and abrasive it will ruin your paint. It would be a great idea if you were to take off each wheel and wash them away from the car.

incorrect...dishwashing liquid can only remove wax from your paint but in no way will hurt it...in fact before waxing or polishing you should ALWAYS wash it down with dawn, especially before claybaring...

Quote:

Originally Posted by straight6pwr

even if you dont like using it all the time, ive heard its at least good to use it before a wax to help get everything off.

you get a cookie

**breden** · 09-26-2005, 02:38 AM

its good for cleaning wheels yes, but doesnt anyone else wax their wheels?

**catalyst** · 10-04-2005, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by breden

its good for cleaning wheels yes, but doesnt anyone else wax their wheels?

I probably would if i had your wheels.. but its just not worth it with the amount of driving i do. I just wash them every two days with dawn dish soap and a very soft spunge to get the dust off.

**Rooz** · 10-05-2005, 12:03 AM

any good wheel cleaner has degreasing power, dishwashing products have too much and are too thick to NOT damage wheels on the longe run... maybe your wheels have alreayd lsot there shine but I'd never use it on my wheels..