SONAX Beast vs Wheel Cleaner PLUS: The "Beast" Is Actually the Gentler One
Last updated: December 2024 • Based on SDS and SB258 analysis
SONAX named their mildest wheel cleaner "The Beast." It sounds like marketing gone wrong, but there's a reason: Beast uses lower thioglycolate concentration (10-30%) supplemented by a multi-chelator system, while Wheel Cleaner PLUS relies on brute-force concentration (15-40%) alone.
The result is that Beast delivers a noticeably gentler safety profile — Category 1B skin sensitization with no acute toxicity classification — while still providing serious iron-removal performance. Both products use the same core chemistry. Both change color when they hit brake dust. But they represent two different German engineering philosophies: maximum concentration vs. balanced formulation.
The Quick Comparison
| Property | Wheel Cleaner PLUS | Beast |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 5.1 | 5.0-5.3 |
| Thioglycolate | 15-40% | 10-30% |
| Chelating System | Single (citrate) | Multi (alaninate + PBTC) |
| Skin Sensitization | Category 1 | Category 1B (milder) |
| Acute Toxicity | Category 4 | Not classified |
| Signal Word | Warning | Warning |
| Color Change | Yes (red) | Yes (red) |
| Product Color | Colorless | Black |
| Best Price | $0.59/oz (25L) | $0.77/oz (5L) |
Wheel Cleaner PLUS: The High-Concentration Approach
At 15-40% thioglycolate, Wheel Cleaner PLUS is tied with Jescar ReactShine for the highest concentration in our database. The formula is straightforward — maximum active ingredient with a citrate buffer system (citric acid + sodium citrate) to maintain stable pH.
This brute-force approach means faster reaction times on heavy contamination, fewer applications needed on neglected wheels, but also a more aggressive safety profile (Category 1 sensitization + acute toxicity).
Best for:
- • Heavy iron contamination
- • Maximum chemical strength with minimal dwell time
- • Bulk buyers (25L brings cost to $0.59/oz)
- • Professional detailers who need raw power
Beast: The Multi-Chelator Approach
Beast compensates for lower thioglycolate (10-30%) by adding complementary chelators:
- Sodium alaninate — an amino acid-based chelator
- PBTC — a phosphonate chelator effective against mineral deposits
This multi-pathway approach attacks contamination through different mechanisms simultaneously, achieving similar cleaning results with reduced reliance on thioglycolate concentration.
The payoff shows in the safety profile — Category 1B sensitization (less severe than Category 1) and no acute toxicity classification at all. This is the mildest safety rating of any high-concentration thioglycolate product we've analyzed.
Best for:
- • Regular maintenance with effective iron removal
- • Users who prefer a gentler safety profile
- • Those willing to accept potentially longer dwell times
- • Enthusiasts who want balanced German engineering
About "Acid-Free" at pH 5
Both products are marketed as "acid-free" despite having acidic pH values around 5.0-5.3. This isn't misleading — the claim refers to the absence of strong mineral acids like hydrochloric or phosphoric acid.
For context, pH 5 is similar to black coffee. The mild acidity enhances iron dissolution without the aggressive attack of true acid-based wheel cleaners (which can drop to pH 3.5 or lower).
Which Should You Choose?
Heavy Contamination
Maximum strength, minimal dwell time needed
→ Wheel Cleaner PLUS
Highest concentration, best bulk pricing at 25L
Regular Maintenance
Effective iron removal, gentler profile
→ Beast
Multi-chelator system, mildest safety rating
💰 Price Note:
At comparable sizes (5L), both cost $0.77/oz. Wheel Cleaner PLUS only becomes cheaper at the 25L bulk size ($0.59/oz).
The Bottom Line
The "Beast" name is branding, not chemistry. In reality, Beast is SONAX's balanced, user-friendly option — lower concentration offset by multi-chelator support and a measurably gentler safety profile.
Wheel Cleaner PLUS is the actual heavy hitter — maximum thioglycolate in a no-frills formula.
Both are serious wheel cleaners at the high end of the concentration spectrum. The choice is whether you want raw power (PLUS) or engineered balance (Beast).
Data sourced from SONAX Safety Data Sheets and California SB258 ingredient disclosures. ChemCX database includes 24 wheel cleaners across 8 thioglycolate formulations. Analysis date: December 2025.