MA5X Wheel & Tire Cleaner Concentrate 55-Gallon Drum | Safe on Chrome, Aluminum & Coated Wheels
For auto detailers, car wash operations, fleet maintenance teams, and dealership service centers that need consistent, high-yield wheel and tire cleaning at commercial volume. Available in a 55-gallon drum for centralized storage, drum pump dispensing, and pallet delivery.
MA5X Wheel & Tire Cleaner Concentrate in the 55-Gallon Drum is a pH-balanced, biodegradable formula engineered to eliminate brake dust, road grime, and iron particles from all wheel types without damaging chrome, polished aluminum, clear-coated, or painted surfaces. At standard dilution, one drum yields 165–220 gallons of working solution at $0.08–$0.12 per wheel, based on approximately 8 fl oz of working solution per wheel, making it one of the most cost-effective wheel cleaning options available from a direct manufacturer. Fast-acting within 2-5 minutes and compatible with pressure washers, foam cannons, and automated tunnel systems.
Key Features & Benefits
- 165-220 gallons yield — $0.08-$0.12 per wheel: At 1:2 dilution for heavy contamination, one drum produces 165 gallons of working solution. At 1:3 for routine maintenance, it produces 220 gallons. At approximately 8 fl oz per wheel application, that delivers 2,640-3,520 wheel cleanings per drum at the current price.
- pH-balanced - safe on all wheel types: Non-acidic, non-alkaline formula removes brake dust, iron deposits, and road grime without etching chrome, pitting polished aluminum, damaging clear coat, or stripping ceramic coating on coated wheels, eliminating the risk of wheel damage that comes with acid-based wheel cleaners.
- Fast-acting within 2-5 minutes: Surfactant system begins breaking down brake dust and iron contamination on contact, reducing dwell time and keeping wash bay throughput high during peak operations.
- Compatible with all commercial wash equipment: Works in pressure washers, foam cannons, automated tunnel injection systems, and manual pump sprayers, no reformulation or special handling required when integrating into existing wash bay workflows.
- Built for bulk handling: Standard 55-gallon drum with 2" and 3/4" bungs integrates with drum pumps, proportioning systems, and pallet storage for streamlined chemical management across multiple bays or sites.
Dilution & Application
For heavy brake dust contamination or vehicles with iron buildup, dilute at 1:2 (1 part concentrate to 2 parts water). For routine maintenance cleaning on lightly soiled wheels, dilute at 1:3. Apply to dry or pre-rinsed wheels using a pump sprayer, foam cannon, or automated injection system. Allow 2-5 minutes of dwell time, agitate with a wheel brush on heavily soiled surfaces, then rinse thoroughly with clean water. For best results on heavily contaminated fleet vehicles, pre-rinse to remove loose surface debris before applying the diluted solution.
Automotive Use Guide - Wheel & Surface Compatibility
Confirmed compatible surfaces:
- Chrome and polished aluminum wheels: pH-neutral formula cleans without the etching or pitting that acid-based wheel cleaners cause on bare or polished metal. Safe for extended contact at recommended dilutions.
- Clear-coated factory wheels: Non-corrosive chemistry will not lift, crack, or discolor OEM clear coat. Use at 1:3 for routine maintenance on newer vehicles.
- Ceramic-coated wheels: pH-balanced formula preserves ceramic coating hydrophobicity, unlike high-alkaline or acidic cleaners that degrade ceramic bonds over repeated use.
- Painted and powder-coated wheels: Safe at all recommended dilutions. Will not soften or discolor powder coat or aftermarket paint finishes.
- Tires and rubber sidewalls: Removes road film, browning agents, and grime from tire sidewalls without drying or cracking rubber. Pair with a tire dressing after cleaning for a finished look.
- Wheel wells and brake calipers: Effective on light to moderate brake dust and road grime accumulation in wheel wells. Use undiluted or at 1:2 on heavily fouled calipers and allow full dwell time before rinsing.
Surfaces and situations to approach carefully:
- Bare uncoated aluminum (bare billet): While pH-balanced formula is far safer than acidic cleaners, avoid prolonged soaking contact on uncoated billet aluminum and rinse promptly. pH-neutral is not the same as pH-inert, any cleaner left to dry on bare metal can cause water spotting.
- Two-piece and three-piece wheels with exposed hardware: Rinse hardware (bolts, barrel lips) thoroughly after cleaning to prevent any residue accumulation in threads or seams.
- Do not mix with acidic wheel cleaners in the same tank or sprayer: Mixing pH-balanced concentrate with acid-based products neutralizes both and produces unpredictable results. Use dedicated equipment for each product type.
- Heavily corroded or pitted chrome: This product cleans, it does not restore. Severely pitted or corroded chrome requires mechanical polishing or re-plating; no chemical wheel cleaner will reverse existing surface damage.
Commercial Specifications
- Drum size: 55 gallons with standard 2" and 3/4" bungs
- Drum weight: Approximately 550 lbs (product + container)
- Pallet: 4 drums per pallet, forklift-accessible
- Shelf life: 36 months from manufacture date in proper storage
- Yield: 165 gallons at 1:2 / 220 gallons at 1:3
- Cost per wheel: $0.08–$0.12 at ~8 fl oz working solution per wheel
Shipping & Fulfillment
55-gallon drums ship via LTL (Less Than Truckload) freight, rates are calculated at checkout based on pallet weight and delivery destination. Up to 4 drums fit on a single pallet at approximately 2,200 lbs total; ordering a full pallet reduces your per-drum freight cost. This product is not classified as a hazardous material for DOT transport, simplifying receiving, storage, and chemical compliance documentation at your facility. Local pickup is available at no charge from our Coral Springs, FL facility (4105 NW 124th Avenue) Monday–Friday, 9am–4pm, allow up to 2 business days for drum preparation. For recurring orders, contract pricing, or multi-pallet arrangements, contact our sales team directly.
Safety
This product is non-flammable and not regulated for DOT transport. It is classified as causing skin and eye irritation. Wear chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection when handling concentrate. Avoid direct discharge to waterways and manage spills with absorbent material per local regulations.