I use regular car wash in a separate bucket with a sponge. I would have to say after using almost every wheel cleaner out there that the key to clean wheels is the length of time in between washes, and a lot of elbow grease! I wash mine once a week and I no longer need a separate wheel cleaner. Also wax them when you wax the car. Do you think Oxyclean would work if used in the same method as the Ajax(Paste)? Hope you get them clean! Good luck.