Chemical Guys Diablo Gel: Brake Dust Blaster, Bubblegum Aroma
We all love fashionable wheels, but keeping them clean is challenging, especially if you use conventional brake pads. Enter Chemical Guys!
Let’s face it, black wheels look awesome on pretty much any vehicle—they just tie the whole package together. However, we all know they requires ardent maintenance, and is arguably the most stressful to keep clean and pristine. If your chariot is your daily driver, or even a garage dweller most days of the week, Chemical Guys’ Diablo Gel Cleaner is an excellent, fast-acting solution to an otherwise gradual, annoying problem.
In my case, I have gorgeous mesh examples from HRE Wheels. While I love them to pieces, I realize my laziness in swapping out semi-metallic brake pads for ceramic ones makes my sporty new skates look more bronze than the Tarmac Black color they arrived in. The solution is obvious, but when you are as busy as I am with everyone else’s builds across 12 of 22 sites for Internet Brands Auto Group and, well, you get the picture.
Nonetheless, the best cure for most issues is prevention, which is why I dedicate at least one day per week to clean my wheels (even if I don’t necessarily wash my rest of my vehicle). I chose the Diablo Gel Cleaner specifically because of its “dirt-clinging” properties that supposedly won’t mar or otherwise stain a delicately-painted wheel. My Camaro came with stock aluminum wheels, however, I planned on upgrading in the future. As a preface, I really enjoyed using this on my silver wheels, too.
So, how does it fair with painted wheels? Let’s take a look.
No Presoak, No Micron Filters
I don’t normally presoak my car with any detergents or solutions, nor do I have any filters to reduce contaminants (besides the built-in mechanism in the hose nozzle). However, I am generally more concerned with ph balance when it comes to my washing soap. Since you’re supposed to let the Diablo Gel Cleaner sit for few minutes, this technically acts as a “presoak” anyway.
At any rate, any fresh dirt or dust melts right off like butter with an initial rinse. Larger grime deposits (non-embedded) require a little more scrubbing, however they come off just as easily as they are now loosened. I have even used this with Plastidip applied (stock aluminum wheels) with no issues.
The mixing ratio remains the same, no matter which delivery method you choose (bucket, foamer, etc): six parts water, one part gel. I prefer to use a spray bottle, as it helps to conserve the product and allows me get into certain hard-to-reach areas with these mesh wheels. You can use a foamer, however it also uses a great deal of the gel in a fairly short amount of time.
If you’d like to get fancy, you could always get one of those foaming spray heads (or make your own). However, I keep my cleaning schedule pretty consistent, so I don’t have to go into hardcore cleaning mode each time.
Weekly Maintenance
Consequently, most of the braking takes place in the front of the vehicle because most passenger cars have an FR layout. And since I have a sports car, my front wheels naturally get the dirtiest, so I start there. Chemical Guys’ Diablo Gel is best effective when you use it routinely. In my case, my wheels are new(ish), so I barely have had the chance to build up even a moderate amount such as this.
Regardless, there are no streaks, spots or stains whatsoever. Clean, arguably showroom-ready (until you drive it, of course). All with a couple of sprays and a little scrub from a soft wash mitten.
If you’ve been looking for a good, no-nonsense wheel cleaner, or if you’ve been on the fence about the Diablo Gel, give it a chance. I’m pretty sure you’ll get the same results and, maybe, you’ll have an even bigger smile on your face than I did.
Photos by LS1Tech Editor Derin Richardson
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