Out of stock

Iron indicating heavy duty wheel cleaner

303 Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner 473ml

SKU 303-30591 Ask a question

Ask a question

We reply by email, usually the same working day.

Notify Me When Back in Stock

£16.99

Out of stock

Size 473ml

Ask when it is back

303 Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner 473ml £16.99
Click & Collect: Ilkeston · FreeMost eligible orders are ready within 5 minutes during opening times. Please wait for your collection-ready confirmation before travelling. Click & Collect: Ilkeston Not available for this option. Options that can be collected show it here. How it works

303 Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner cleans caked on dirt and removes brake dust.

  • Removes caked on dirt and brake dust
  • Iron indicating formula changes colour
  • Non-corrosive and acid free formula
  • Safe for use on all wheels
  • Suits aluminium, painted, chrome and clear-coated finishes
  • Doubles as a paint decontamination spray
  • No overpowering odour during use
  • Supplied in a 473ml (16oz) bottle
Read the full description

Full Description

303 Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner cleans caked on dirt and removes brake dust.

This powerful formula is non-corrosive, acid free, and safe for use on ALL wheels. It also has no overpowering odour like many other wheel cleaners.

This product is not only a great option for heavy duty wheel cleaning, but it also works great as a paint decontaminant spray to remove any embedded fallout from your vehicle's paint, to prep it before correction and protection.

More in Wheel Cleaners.

Tracked UK delivery, or collect eligible orders from our Ilkeston store.

Secure checkout
  • Apple pay
  • Diners club
  • Discover
  • Google pay
  • Klarna
  • Maestro
  • Master
  • Paypal
  • Shopify pay
  • Unionpay
  • Visa

Key features

  • Iron Indicating
  • Acid Free
  • All Wheel Safe
  • 473ml Bottle
  • Paint Decontamination

The Drivers HQ

Expert Notes

303 Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner is an iron indicating wheel cleaner in a 473ml (16oz) bottle for caked on dirt and brake dust. The formula is non-corrosive and acid free, and it is safe for use on all wheels, including aluminium, painted, chrome and clear-coated finishes. It is sprayed onto cool wheels, left for 2 minutes, agitated with a wheel tool and rinsed. It also works as a paint decontamination spray: on a washed and dried car it is left for 5 minutes and turns a purple tone as it removes iron. In a routine it covers the wheel stage of a wash and the decontamination stage before clay, polishing and protection. Pair it with a dedicated wheel brush, a separate wheel bucket and a wheel sealant.

Perfect For / Suitable Surfaces

  • Aluminium alloy wheels
  • Chrome wheels
  • Painted wheels
  • Clear-coated wheels
  • Wheels with caked on brake dust
  • Painted bodywork with iron fallout
  • Paintwork before correction and protection

Caution: Apply only when wheels are cool to the touch and rinse thoroughly before it can dry. After paint decontamination, rinse and wash the car again to remove all product.

Technical Specifications

Product Type
Iron Indicating Wheel Cleaner
Brand
303
Size
473ml (16oz)
Formula
Non-Corrosive, Acid Free
Colour Change
Turns Purple As It Removes Iron
Compatibility
All Wheels, Including Aluminium, Painted, Chrome And Clear-Coated
Dwell Time
2 Minutes On Wheels, 5 Minutes On Paint
Application Method
Spray On, Agitate, Rinse
Application Conditions
Wheels Cool To The Touch
Odour
No Overpowering Odour
Primary Use
Wheel Cleaning And Paint Decontamination
Part Number
30591

How To Use

Application

  1. Shake the bottle well and check the wheels are cool to the touch.
  2. Rinse the wheel with a hose to remove loose dirt and grit.
  3. Spray 303 Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner directly onto the wheel and leave it for 2 minutes.
  4. Agitate the wheel surface with a dedicated wheel cleaning tool.
  5. Rinse the wheel thoroughly and repeat the steps if any residue remains.
  6. For paint decontamination, spray onto the washed and dried bodywork and leave for 5 minutes while it turns purple on iron.
  7. Rinse the paint, then wash the car again to remove the product.

Aftercare

  1. Inspect each wheel in good light and treat any remaining brake dust again.
  2. Dry the wheels with a microfibre towel kept apart from paintwork towels.
  3. After decontaminating paint, follow with clay, correction or protection as needed.
  4. Apply your chosen wheel protection only once the wheels are clean and fully dry.
  5. Rinse brushes and wheel tools, then store them apart from paint wash tools.
  6. Store the bottle closed and upright, away from heat and frost.

Top Tip: Work one wheel at a time so the cleaner is agitated and rinsed after its 2 minute dwell, not left to dry.

Performance Benefits

  • Cleans heavily soiled wheels
  • Turns purple as it removes iron
  • Lifts embedded fallout from paintwork
  • Preps paint for correction and protection
  • Designed for a 2 minute dwell
  • Non-corrosive on wheel finishes

Frequently Asked Questions

What size is 303 Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner?

303 Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner comes in a 473ml (16oz) bottle, part number 30591.

Is it safe on all wheel types?

Yes, it is safe for use on all wheels, including aluminium, painted, chrome and clear-coated finishes. The formula is non-corrosive and acid free. Test on a small hidden area first if your wheels have a refurbished or unusual finish.

What does iron indicating mean?

It means the formula changes colour as it reacts with iron contamination. On paintwork, the directions say it should turn a purple tone as it removes iron and other contaminants from the surface.

How long should I leave it on the wheels?

Leave 303 Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner on the wheel for 2 minutes, then agitate with a wheel cleaning tool and rinse thoroughly. Use it only when the wheels are cool to the touch, and repeat if any residue remains.

Can I use it to decontaminate paintwork?

Yes, it can be used as a paint decontamination spray to remove embedded iron fallout before correction and protection. Spray it onto a washed and dried car, leave it for 5 minutes, then rinse and wash the car again.

Does it have a strong smell?

No, 303 Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner has no overpowering odour.

What should I use it with?

Use a dedicated wheel brush or wheel cleaning tool for agitation, a hose for rinsing and a separate microfibre towel for drying. After paint decontamination, the directions suggest following up with clay, correction and protection.

Where can I buy 303 Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner in the UK?

The Drivers HQ sells it online with UK-wide delivery, and you can also visit our walk-in store in Ilkeston, Derbyshire.

HQ Suggests Tips & Insights

  1. Only spray onto wheels that are cool to the touch.
  2. Shake the bottle well before every use.
  3. Rinse loose grit off the wheel before spraying.
  4. Give it the full 2 minute dwell before agitating.
  5. Use a dedicated wheel brush, never your paintwork wash mitt.
  6. Watch for the purple colour change that shows iron contamination on paint.
  7. Wash and dry the car before using it as a paint decontaminant.
  8. Order online with UK-wide delivery from The Drivers HQ.

The Brand

303

303 is a surface protection brand whose story began in 1980, when its founder saw that the aviation and aerospace industry needed a treatment to protect rubber and plastics against UV and ozone degradation. Its flagship Aerospace Protectant was originally engineered to protect aircraft rubber wing boots at high altitudes, and the range now covers protectants and cleaners for everything from cars and boats to outdoor furniture and gear. Since 2012, 303 has been part of Gold Eagle Co., the Chicago company behind STA-BIL, and the brand describes its products as Proven to Protect.

The Drivers HQ stocks 303 for the inside and outside of the car. Plastic and vinyl protection comes from 303 Aerospace Protectant, 303 Automotive Protectant Interior & Exterior and 303 Protectant Wipes, with Rubber Seal Protectant for seals and Graphene Trim Coating for trim. For paintwork there are Graphene Nano Spray Coating, Automotive Spray Wax, Automotive Speed Detailer and Graphene Quick Detailer, and Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner takes care of the wheels. Leather Cleaner and Leather Conditioner look after leather, Multi-Surface Cleaner and Mold & Mildew Cleaner + Blocker tackle stains, and 303 Fabric Guard protects outdoor fabrics such as a convertible top.

303 suits drivers who want protection that is easy to apply, as well as detailers finishing off a full valet. After the wash, a spray coating or spray wax protects the paint, and a quick detailer keeps the finish glossy between washes. Protectant then goes onto clean, dry dashboards, trim, tyres and seals, and 303 says it dries to a clean, matte finish with no slick residue. Convertible owners can add Fabric Guard for the fabric roof, as 303 recommends it for outdoor fabrics rather than interior fabrics, while the leather cleaner and conditioner suit cars with leather seats.

Buy 303 from The Drivers HQ with tracked UK-wide delivery, or visit our walk-in store in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, where Click & Collect is free. Whether you are replacing a favourite bottle of Aerospace Protectant or putting together a full set of interior and exterior protection, you can order 303 alongside the rest of your detailing kit in one basket, and advice is available before you buy if you are not sure which product suits a surface.

Shop all 303
303 Aerospace Protectant (3 Sizes) - The Drivers HQ

From Aircraft Wing Boots to Cars

303 traces its story back to 1980. In Gold Eagle's announcement of the acquisition, the company explains that founder Dennis A. Praegitzer recognised that the aviation and aerospace industry needed something that did not exist: a protective chemical treatment for rubber and plastics that actually protected against UV and ozone degradation.

That need produced the product 303 still calls its flagship. The brand says Aerospace Protectant was originally engineered to protect aircraft rubber wing boots at high altitudes, and it describes today's formula as water-based and silicone-free, drying to a clear matte finish with no greasy film. The same UV protection is now used on dashboards, convertible tops, tyres and trim, as well as boat seats and patio furniture.

In 2012 Gold Eagle Co., the Chicago company behind STA-BIL, acquired 303 Products, and 303 is now presented on Gold Eagle's website alongside its other brands. The brand says its formulations undergo rigorous internal testing and have built over 40 years of field-tested trust, and it sums up its range with the line Proven to Protect.

303 GRAPHENE NANO SPRAY COATING 473ML - The Drivers HQ

Protectants, Coatings and Fabric Care

303 describes Automotive Protectant as delivering UV protection for a vehicle's rubber, vinyl and plastic surfaces, whether that is the dashboard, trim, tyres or weather seals. It dries to a clean matte finish and repels dust, dirt and stains, and the brand says one application gives protection for up to 30 to 45 days. 303 also stresses buffing it dry with a clean towel, because the product does not air dry.

For paintwork, 303 Graphene Nano Spray Coating is a graphene oxide based coating that the brand says protects for up to 12 months and lowers surface temperature to reduce hard water spots. It bonds without prior paint correction or decontamination, can be applied in direct sunlight and works on glass, wheels and trim as well as paint. Between washes, 303 Automotive Speed Detailer adds gloss, with anti-static properties and UV blockers in its formula.

303 Fabric Guard restores lost water and stain repellency to outdoor fabrics, and 303 says it is recommended by Sunbrella, the outdoor fabric manufacturer. On a car, the brand suggests spraying it on a convertible top's seams to prevent wicking, and it does not recommend it for a vehicle's interior fabrics. The Drivers HQ stocks it alongside 303 Multi-Surface Cleaner, which the brand says removes stubborn spots from coffee, oil, grease and ink, and the leather care products for the cabin.

  • Product AdviceAsk for help choosing compatible products and equipment.
  • Trade MembershipTrade Members get 10% off every product except sale items.
  • Shop in StoreBrowse products and speak to the team in Ilkeston.

Best Paired With

Customer Reviews

No reviews yet. Tell other drivers what you think of it.

HQ Rewards members earn 10 points for a review, 20 with a photo or video, once it is approved.

    Write a Review

    Your rating

    NOT SURE THIS IS THE RIGHT ONE?

    Ask Before You Buy

    Tell us about the vehicle, surface, equipment or result you are working with. Advice is available before you buy, not only after something has gone wrong.

    Get Product Advice Visit the Ilkeston Store