Koch Chemie MWC Magic Wheel Cleaner | pH 5–6 Acid-Free Rim Cleaner | High-Cling, Won't Dry
Koch Chemie MWC Magic Wheel Cleaner — Acid-Free Rim Cleaning, Honestly Explained
Magic Wheel Cleaner is a thick, clinging rim cleaner built on the same iron-binding chemistry as Koch Chemie's Reactive Rust Remover — ammonium mercaptoacetate at 10–25%. It reacts with embedded brake dust and iron fallout, discolouring red as it does, and lifts the contamination out of the wheel face and barrel.
"Acid-free" needs a definition. In rim cleaners it means free of the aggressive mineral acids the category was built on — hydrofluoric acid and ammonium bifluoride — which etch clearcoat, damage polished lips and are genuinely dangerous to handle. It does not mean pH-neutral. Magic Wheel Cleaner measures pH 5–6 on Koch Chemie's own safety data sheet: mildly acidic, which is where the formulation needs to sit for the iron chemistry to work. Mildly acidic is a completely different proposition to fluoride-based, and that is the distinction that actually matters for your wheels.
The viscosity is deliberate. Sprayed on, it clings to a vertical wheel face and stays wet through the full dwell instead of running off or flashing dry, so the reaction has time to finish before you rinse.
KEY FEATURES & BENEFITS
- No hydrofluoric acid, no ammonium bifluoride. None of the fluoride chemistry that etches clearcoat and attacks polished and anodised finishes.
- pH 5–6, verified. Taken from the manufacturer's safety data sheet rather than a marketing line.
- Colour-change indicator. The red discolouration marks exactly where iron is being dissolved.
- High-cling viscosity. Holds on vertical surfaces and resists drying out over an extended dwell.
- Rated surfaces. Painted alloy wheels, high-quality chromed wheels and steel rims.
DIRECTIONS
- Work on cool wheels, out of direct sunlight. Never on hot brakes or hot paint.
- Shake briefly before use.
- Spray the rim face and rim well thoroughly.
- Allow two to five minutes to react, depending on how heavily soiled the wheel is.
- Agitate with a wheel brush if needed, then rinse thoroughly with a high-pressure spray.
IMPORTANT
Check suitability and compatibility on an inconspicuous area first, particularly on polished, anodised or bare metal finishes. Wear gloves and eye protection: the concentrate causes serious eye damage and may cause an allergic skin reaction. It may also be corrosive to metals — do not decant into unsuitable containers or leave it in prolonged contact with bare metal.
DILUTION
Ready to use. Do not dilute.
TECHNICAL
pH: 5–6 · Sizes: 500 mL and 10 L · Koch Chemie article no.: 425999 · Active: ammonium mercaptoacetate (CAS 5421-46-5), 10–25%. Safety data sheet available on request.