[PTek Will]

Hey Guys,

I tried searching for a good review but couldn't find any pictures, only discussions, so I decided to make one myself.

Products: Sonax and Iron X

Test Subject: Stock 335 wheel that has been sitting around

Price

Sonax: 15.75 (Amazon Prime)
Ironx: 19.99 (Anywhere)

Size

Sonax: 16.9oz ($0.93/ounce)
IronX: 16.9oz ($1.18/ounce)

Smell
While both products smell pretty potent, I have to say that Sonax is a bit more pleasing to the nasal cavity than Iron X. Sonax smells like a citrusy cherry chemical bomb while Iron X smells like Cherry Sulfur (mostly sulfur). Both smell horrible but if I had to chose which smell my future wife smelled like, it would be Sonax.

Bottle Design
Sonax's bottle looks like they put some effort into the design of the bottle and although they use this design for other lines of their products, it looks aesthetically pleasing. IronX looks pretty generic.

The sprayer on the Sonax is pretty high capacity so it is a bit wasteful. Iron X is twist adjustable so you can mist it, stream it, or somewhere in between.

Consistency
Sonax is a gooey gel like consistency.
IronX is very watery.

Use
Sonax is supposed to be only for wheels, but I've heard it can be used on paint as well. The logic behind this is that most wheels these days are clear coated, just like our paint.
IronX can be used for wheels and paint decontamination.

Cleaning Power
This test is a pure product vs product with no agitation, only spray on and rinse away.

Here is the wheel we will be attacking:


IronX was applied to the right half. Sonax on the Left.


IronX has a very watery consistency and turns purple upon contact with iron particles.


Sonax has a gel like consistency and takes a little time (10-15 seconds) to change color.


After about 3 minutes, both were rinsed off with no agitation.


Conclusion
It is pretty clear that the Sonax has significantly more cleaning power on wheels than IronX has. I think the consistency of it helps keep it from drying out on the wheel, allowing it to work more effectively longer. However, IronX is multipurpose. Overall, I think I've chosen my side as to which cleaner to use on heavily soiled wheels. Sonax is cheaper per ounce, but if you are trigger happy, this stuff goes by too quick, maybe 4 sets of wheels (1 ounce per wheel). A 5 liter purchase of Sonax plus a different sprayer head, similar to that of the Iron X would be the best bang for the buck wheel cleaner.

[Otruba_843]

I love the Sonax sprayer on the wheel cleaner! Oddly enough, for some unknown reason, I actually like the smell of Sonax. I only have IronX paste and that stuff is STRONG. It smells like fireworks after using them.

[FRRYY]

This was a great comparison test. Thanks for sharing

[psnt1ol]

Comparing IronX to a dedicated wheel cleaner in its ability to clean dirty wheel is not necessary a fair test.

CarPro also makes another product (Trix) that would fair better at both abilities and value. 1Z Einszett ColourTec Wheel Cleaner is another alternative to Sonax. Both Trix and Colourtec are also available in the gallon size just like Sonax FE.

I personally had used all three and I end up staying with Trix since I also have Meg D140 for the really nasty wheels. The fact that Trix could be used on paint makes it versatile.

[PTek Will]

hmm.. i'll have to try out trix.

update: ironx 14.99 at Autogeek

still take sonax lol

[Detailers Domain]

Great review. We found the same results.

Sonax is the clear winner.

[TOGWT]

[Sonax is supposed to be only for wheels, but I've heard it can be used on paint as well. The logic behind this is that most wheels these days are clear coated, just like our paint]

These products were all formulated as wheel surface ferrous iron removal; I've always been concerned that if you don't 'clean' the paint surface of wax, polymers, silicon, etc this type of product will not work effectively

Good product review BTW

[Detailers Domain]

sonax is not all that great on paint.

sonax actually makes a fall out remover for paint and it does work well.

[divisionbell77]

Use Sonax on paint yet? I'd like to see that comparison for rail dust. Have seen people use it, but never a side by side.

[PTek Will]

I actually have not used sonax on paint, nor am I ballsy enough to try LOL. But I did just discover Sonax fall out remover which is made for paint.

[SLOWER]

The Sonax wheel cleaner is amazing. But I only get 5 washes max out of the bottle.

[SLOWER]

Does anyone transfer it to another type of bottle/sprayer and get better results?

[Rickstir]

Ive never used SONAX on paint, nor do I think I would, but it is the best rim cleaner I've used. I've tried several, Detailer’s Pro Series Wheel Cleaner,Wolfgang Über Wheel Cleaner & Scholl Concepts Rim 7 Wheel Cleaner. Scholl came the closes, its a nice thick spray on gel that does well, but I still like Sonax the best.

[PTek Will]

Originally Posted by SLOWER

Does anyone transfer it to another type of bottle/sprayer and get better results?

I just bought a 5 Liter of Sonax and tested out a few sprayer tops. I've found chemical guys spray tops to be the best for a nice evenly dispersed spray! Now I can cover a lot more ground per spray. This is crucial since sonax is rather pricey :\

http://www.chemicalguys.com/Economy_..._p/acc_124.htm

[5soko]

Sonax wheel cleaner actually makes my M5 rims more bright!

[Rickstir]

I completely agree with your assessment ! Sonax is the best wheel cleaner I've come across to date.

[Gig103]

Cool, thanks for the comparison!

My new rims are painted black, so the dust isn't as noticeable - but does that mean I need the fallout protection and not the regular Sonax?

[PTek Will]

Originally Posted by Gig103

Cool, thanks for the comparison!

My new rims are painted black, so the dust isn't as noticeable - but does that mean I need the fallout protection and not the regular Sonax?

I've never used fall out before, so I am unclear if it is safe to use near brake pads and rotors. I would guess that since fall out is made for the body paint that it should be safe to use on your painted wheels. However, since it is designed for the body of your car, it is probably not as aggressive as the wheel cleaner as it was designed to remove heavy brake dust. Something to note is that pretty much all factory wheels are painted with clear coat. So even though your wheels are painted black (probably clear coated as well) they shouldn't need any special treatment.

Again, as I have never used Fallout, my words are only educated assumptions. Can anyone chime in on the use of Sonax Fallout on wheels vs the wheel cleaner?

[Gig103]

Originally Posted by PTek Will

So even though your wheels are painted black (probably clear coated as well) they shouldn't need any special treatment.

That's what I was thinking, but wanted to get another bit of advice.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

I thought Sonax was all hype cause it changed colors and stuff. Truth is I really like the way it works and continue to inventory it and use it on my personal cars too.