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Adam's Polishes

Deep Wheel Cleaner

ph-neutralthioglycolateiron-reactivecolor-changingall-wheel-safe

Best Value

$0.41/oz

5gal

Premium pH-neutral chelating wheel cleaner for safe, effective cleaning of all wheel finishes

Key Chemistry

pH Level

7.0

Active Mechanism

thioglycolate chelation

Surfactants

2 (cationic, nonionic)

Expert Analysis

Adams uses iron remover chemistry (thioglycolate chelation) in a wheel cleaner. pH 6-8 (near neutral) with (2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium mercaptoacetate (1-5%) as primary active ingredient. This is the same chelating agent used in iron removers, providing color-changing feedback as it reacts with iron particles. Dual surfactant system (cationic + nonionic) provides cleaning power while chelation removes iron and brake dust. Safe for all wheel finishes due to neutral pH. Similar approach to Armour Detail Supply Wheel Cleaner.

Key Differentiators

  • ONLY chelation-based wheel cleaner analyzed (vs alkaline or acidic)
  • Near neutral pH (6-8) - safest for delicate finishes
  • Uses iron remover chemistry for brake dust removal
  • 100% ingredient transparency - best in class
  • Safe for coated wheels (ceramic, powder coat)
  • Lower hazard profile than alkaline cleaners
  • Made in USA

Potential Concerns

  • Contains endocrine disruptor (≥0.1%)
  • Contains fragrance allergens (coumarin, d-limonene)
  • Contains phthalates (diethyl phthalate in fragrance)
  • May cause allergic skin reaction
  • Contains CA TACs (2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol)
  • May be less aggressive on heavy soiling than alkaline cleaners
  • Ready-to-use only (no concentrate option for value)

Ingredients

14 disclosed
Watermajority
CAS: 7732-18-5solvent
(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium mercaptoacetate1-<5%
CAS: 126-97-6metal cleaner

Acute Tox. 4 / H302; Skin Sens. 1B / H317

disodium 4,5-dihydroxybenzene-1,3-disulphonate1-<5%
CAS: 149-45-1chelating agent

Eye Irrit. 2 / H319

2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol1-<5%
CAS: 112-34-5co solvent

Eye Irrit. 2 / H319

cocoalkylmethyl polyoxyethylene ammonium chloridenot_disclosed
CAS: 61791-10-4surfactant
Alcohols, C11-15- secondary, ethoxylated1-<5%
CAS: 84133-50-6surfactant

Skin Irrit. 2 / H315; Eye Dam. 1 / H318

diethyl phthalatetrace
CAS: 84-66-2fragrance
xanthan gumtrace
CAS: 11138-66-2viscosity modifier
benzaldehyde0.1-<1%
CAS: 100-52-7fragrance

Acute Tox. 4 / H302; Acute Tox. 3 / H331; Flam. Liq. 4 / H227

coumarintrace
CAS: 91-64-5fragrance
isobutyl acetatetrace
CAS: 110-19-0fragrance
isopentyl acetatetrace
CAS: 123-92-2fragrance
Benzyl acetatetrace
CAS: 140-11-4fragrance
d-limonenetrace
CAS: 5989-27-5fragrance

Source: california rtk section 15

Safety Profile

Signal Word
Warning
Eye Hazard
H319 - Causes serious eye irritation (Eye Irrit. 2)
Skin Hazard
H317 - May cause an allergic skin reaction (Skin Sens. 1)
Corrosive to Metals
No
Flammable
No

Lower hazard than alkaline wheel cleaners. Warning signal word vs Danger. Main concerns are skin sensitization and fragrance allergens. Contains endocrine disruptor and phthalates.