If you need a ready to use, spray-on, colour changing wheel cleaner which doubles as an Iron Fallout Remover, then Stjärnagloss claim to have you covered. We put the scandinavian inspired brand’s active wheel cleaner to the test against the Gloss Fuel Iron Fallout Remover which is an extremely powerful, dedicated Iron Fallout Remover.
Stjärnagloss Hjul 'vs' Gloss Fuel Iron Fallout Remover
Stjärnagloss
In 2010, Stjärnagloss was a relatively unknown UK-based brand sold exclusively by the now-defunct reseller Shinearama. Nearly a decade later, in November 2019, the Scandinavian-inspired brand was 'rebjörn'.
The company was resurrected with a completely reformulated, repackaged, and rebranded product range. Stjärnagloss aims to offer high-performing products, honest pricing, and a simple range.
Gloss Fuel
Gloss Fuel was founded by two lifelong rallying enthusiasts who shared a passion for the high-octane, high-action motorsport where cars drive as fast as possible on loose, gravel roads, getting very dirty. They soon discovered they also shared a passion for cleaning and detailing cars, their own and the occasional rally car.
They are passionate and enthusiastic about car care and detailing, but they noticed that the industry as a whole was falling short in the battle for sustainability. With other sectors embracing more environmentally friendly solutions, Gloss Fuel is actively seeking to reduce plastic waste in the car care market with their innovative 'Refuel Packs'.
In a market saturated with hundreds of ‘white label’ and re-branded products made by just a handful of chemical companies, Gloss Fuel decided to take a different route to market. They partnered with a family-owned and run chemical company with decades of experience developing and manufacturing premium cleaning products. Together with their lead chemist, a fellow detailing enthusiast, they researched and developed a bespoke product range that they believe is worthy of shelf space in your garage.
Gloss Fuel Iron Fallout Remover Overview
Ease of use of Gloss Fuel Iron Fallout Remover
Gloss Fuel Iron Fallout Remover comes complete with a high quality trigger sprayer, giving an clean, consistent and reliable spray. The product instructions and labelling is clear and easy to follow.
Like most Iron Fallout Removers, you simply spray onto cool wheels, body panels or trim and allow to dwell for a few minutes. You will quickly see the product turn purple as it dissolves the iron fallout. Just before the product begins to dry out, simply rinse it off with your garden hose or pressure washer and you're done.
We recently tested Gloss Fuel Iron Fallout Remover on heavily contaminated alloy wheels. We sprayed the product on, allowed it to dwell for a few minutes as it changed colour, then rinsed using a pressure washer. This removed 95% of the dirt and contamination without any contact or agitation. We followed up with some Gloss Fuel Gloss Enhancing Shampoo and a Microfibre Wash Mitt and the alloys were completely clean. Minimal contact - minimal effort.
Benefits of Using Gloss Fuel Iron Fallout Remover
Gloss Fuel Iron Fallout Remover is one of the safest and most effective solutions for eliminating sharp, embedded iron ferrous particles from all exterior surfaces, including wheels, tyres, trim, and paintwork. Despite being one of the strongest iron fallout removers available on the market, it maintains a balanced pH level of 5, ensuring it is safe use on all surfaces.
The unique Gloss Fuel formulation comprises advanced active agents and a mild foaming action that slows evaporation and increase the viscosity and 'cling' of the liquid, thereby extending the dwell time during application. This prolonged working period, combined with a higher concentration of active ingredients, facilitates the safe breakdown of even the most stubborn and deeply embedded iron particles.
This product is suitable for use on both wheels and bodywork and can be applied directly after the contact wash process. Incorporate Iron Fallout Remover into your comprehensive chemical decontamination routine for optimal results.
Whilst not a dedicated wheel cleaner, it does a fantastic job of dissolving and shifting ferrous brake debris. Its mild foaming action allows the product to cling to vertical surfaces for longer, allowing for a deeper decontamination.
Value for Money of Gloss Fuel Iron Fallout Remover
A standard 500ml spray bottle of Gloss Fuel Iron Fallout Remover costs £12.00. To clean four large alloy wheels (faces and inner barrels) takes approximately 50-75ml of product. This puts the cost per application at around £1.80 which places this product in the premium bracket when it comes to cost per use.
Cons of Gloss Fuel Iron Fallout Remover
The Gloss Fuel Iron Fallout Remover doesn't contain significant quantities of detergents and isn't marketed as a colour change wheel cleaner. It DOES do a fantastic job of dissolving brake dust, which is made up of 90% iron particles, so it DOES help clean wheel thoroughly. It's core function is to safely dissolve iron fallout, and regardless of where this fallout contaminates your car, this product does just that.
Stjärnagloss Hjul Overview
Ease of use of Stjärnagloss Hjul
With your wheels cool, Stjärnagloss Hjul ready to use active wheel cleaner is easy to use. Simply spray on to your dirty alloy wheel and allow the product to dwell for a few minutes. As the product dwells on the wheel, you should notice it change colour from a clear liquid to a purple liquid. This indicates that the active chemical is reacting with the embedded iron particles, dissolving them.
When the wheel cleaner changes colour, agitate the product and begin the contact clean. Make sure to clean both the wheel face and inner barrel. Use appropriate wheel woollies, brushes and microfibre mitts for the contact clean stage.
Hjul can be used like a typical iron fallout remover of body panels and trim.
Benefits of Using Stjärnagloss Hjul Wheel Cleaner
The main benefit of using Hjul Wheel Cleaner is its ability to both clean dirt and grime, and dissolve iron particles and brake dust at the same time.
The typical way to thoroughly clean wheels would be to use a citrus degreaser or pre-wash first, then undertake a contact wash using a dedicated wheel cleaner or special wheel soap. Finally, the wheel would be decontaminated with an iron fallout remover and then rinsed clean.
Hjul from Stjärnagloss combines all of these stages into one process, with one chemical and no dilution ratios to consider. Spray, dwell, contact clean and rinse!
Value for Money of Stjärnagloss Hjul
A 500ml bottle of Stjärnagloss Hjul costs £11.00 (plus p&p). To clean four large alloy wheels (faces and inner barrels) takes approximately 80-100ml of product. This puts the cost per application at around £2.20 which is quite a high cost per use. But considering this one bottle claims to be doing the job of several standalone chemical products, it could be seen as good value.
Cons of Stjärnagloss Hjul Wheel Cleaner
Hjul is marketed as a colour changing wheel cleaner, which doubles up as an Iron Fallout Remover. Whilst it does do both jobs, if you need a dedicated iron fallout remover, there may be better options on the market. Multi-use products can often find themselves in a Jack-of-all-trades, Master-of-none situation.
Stjärnagloss Hjul or Gloss Fuel Iron Fallout Remover: Which should you choose?
There's no doubt that Hjul from Stjärnagloss is an effective, competent colour changing wheel cleaner and a decent Iron Fallout Remover. The cost per application between the two is broadly the same, meaning there's no clear winner on price. Both have excellent packaging with clear, simple instructions.
The slight foaming action of the Gloss Fuel Iron Fallout Remover, combined with its higher than average Thioglycolic acid (TGA) content means that Gloss Fuel have the performance advantage when it comes to safely breaking down iron particles.
The trigger on our Stjärnagloss bottle failed before we finished the bottle. The Gloss Fuel triggers are rated to deliver a minimum of 5 litres of product. This means that you can refill your Gloss Fuel Iron Fallout Remover bottle ten times, saving plastic, saving waste and saving money.
The strong cherry scent of the Gloss Fuel Iron Fallout Remover does a decent job of masking the typical unpleasant, eggy odour, normally associated with fallout removers.
It's a close call but for us, Gloss Fuel Iron Fallout Remover just edges ahead on the final lap of this race. It's versatile and powerful enough to use during the wheel cleaning process, but its performance as an out and out iron fallout remover remains unsurpassed. Gloss Fuel is clearly a great alternative to Stjärnagloss.
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Disclaimer: Both products tested were purchased and tested back-to-back by the reviewer. The review published here is the honest opinion of the product reviewer. All information and prices quoted were deemed to be correct at the time of publication. To notify us of any updates and/or corrections, please contact Gloss Fuel.
