Wheels off detailing

[kevincwelch]

I wanted to get some opinions from you guys who do wheels off details. Obviously you are taking off the wheels to detail the wheels themselves and the wheel wells. Many of you are coating the wheels at this point.

Are you doing this before you wash the vehicle and then replacing the wheels or are you washing and correcting the vehicle with the wheels already off and then replacing the wheels when everything is done?



Sent via my mobile device...

[Rsurfer]

I would do it before a wash instead of having the car on jacks and being out of reach for my short arms. On the other hand, if you wash first and then do the wheels, you won't get the just cleaned wheels dirty with rinse water.

[vanev]

Wheels off detail:

- It makes more sense to do the body/paint first, so when you reinstall the wheels, you are then not introducing water, dirt, and product to the wheels, tires, and wheels wells. You can always set the vehicle on jack stands at the start of the detail, and then proceed in whatever order you choose.

- The better access to the wheel wells makes better access to the suspension, any paint work, plastic or rubber trim, and shrouding.

- Wheels off allows for easier removal of all brake dust from the complete wheel, not just the face.

- Also allows for polishing, coating, sealing, and waxing the wheel well.

[jdubs]

I do the wheels last in that instance. No point to going all out just to have everything get all wet and potentially water spotted again.

[kevincwelch]

Good feedback.

I would think that taking the wheels off at the very beginning would make the most sense. That way I could wash, decon and correct the car, including the wells, separately from the wheels and then replace the wheels at the very end.

I would have no problem with the reach, but I would wonder if having the car on jacks for 8 hours would be fine.

Sent via my mobile device...

[Rsurfer]

Good feedback.

I would think that taking the wheels off at the very beginning would make the most sense. That way I could wash, decon and correct the car, including the wells, separately from the wheels and then replace the wheels at the very end.

I would have no problem with the reach, but I would wonder if having the car on jacks for 8 hours would be fine.

Sent via my mobile device...

Having it under the jack points and you should be fine.

[Klasse Act]

Good feedback.

I would think that taking the wheels off at the very beginning would make the most sense. That way I could wash, decon and correct the car, including the wells, separately from the wheels and then replace the wheels at the very end.

I would have no problem with the reach, but I would wonder if having the car on jacks for 8 hours would be fine.

Sent via my mobile device...

Kevin, sounds like you've got some time on your hands and the car looks to be getting a serious cleaning, huh! I'm guessing those dirty pics that you post from time to time have gotten to you, LOL!

[CarolinasFinestDetailing]

My wheels off detail steps:

- Wheels/wells/tire deep clean while on car
- Wash & decontaminate
- Dry everything
- Remove wheels, prep, and coat
- While curing, I do test spot and dial in correction
- Reinstall wheels after some time
- Cover wheels with covers and finish car

It may seem redundant to do a deep cleaning while on car, but when I take them off, they are easier to handle and may require a small amount of touch cleaning before prepping to coat.

If I had a lift, i would do things different. This works for me and I stay efficient.

[kevincwelch]

Jackpoint jackstands are what I have.

Roger: thinking about the spring already! Also have a friend with a car to sell and the ride needs serious repair.

Carolina: good idea to stagger the process like you do. Sounds like you have the process dialed in.

Sent via my mobile device...

[DaveT435]

A little advice. Make sue you have or get a good torque wrench and torque lugs to factory specs. Your assuming a huge liability removing and installing wheels.