Yum Cars Yum Wheels | Wheel Cleaner & Iron Fallout Remover

Yum Wheels is a 2-in-1 wheel cleaner and iron fallout remover. A thick gel clings to the wheel, reacts with embedded brake dust and turns colour within a minute so you can see it working — and it does the same job on paintwork as the iron step of a decontamination.

The chemistry

The active is a thioglycolate salt — the Safety Data Sheet lists sodium mercaptoacetate — which is both a chelator and a reducing agent. It reduces the iron(III) in brake dust and rail dust to iron(II) and binds it as a water-soluble complex that rinses away; that complex is what gives the purple colour. The depth of the colour is not a measure of how much iron came off. Yum Cars describe the formula as non-acidic and pH neutral, which is what makes it suitable for regular use on finished wheels.

Use it for

Yum Cars state it is safe on most painted, polished, powder coated, clear coated and chrome wheels, plus wheel nuts, and on paintwork to remove iron fallout from the clear coat. On bare, anodised or unknown finishes, test a small area first.

How to use

Use neat — do not dilute. Wheels must be cool. Rinse the wheel with a pressure washer, spray Yum Wheels over the face and barrel, allow it to react, agitate with soft brushes, then rinse thoroughly. Never allow it to dry on any wheel finish. On paint, apply out of direct sunlight, rinse fully and re-wash the panel.

Common questions

Why does Yum Wheels turn purple?
The active reacts with iron particles from brake dust and forms a purple, water-soluble complex that rinses away. The depth of colour is not a measure of how much iron came off.

Can I use Yum Wheels on paint?
Yes. Yum Cars state it removes iron fallout from the clear coat. Apply out of direct sun, rinse fully and re-wash the panel.

Should I dilute it?
No. Yum Cars formulate it to be used neat.

Good to know

Available in 500ml and 5 litre. Like all thioglycolate iron removers it has a strong sulphur smell — use it outdoors or with good ventilation. Wear gloves; it can cause skin sensitisation.

See the full Yum Cars range laid out in wash order.

Genuine Yum Cars, supplied through the Australian distributor · Alpha Details Melbourne