How To: Clean Your Wheels and Tires

[BimmerFerret]

Awesome write up. As for when to clean wheels... I do mine first, then when they are all done, I throw a towel over the wheel to protect it from water/clay lube/wax/etc.


Shawn, thanks for showing the example on chrome wheels. My fiance's car needs claying and a sealant BADLY and this really gives me hope!

[AV8R]

I just did the wheels on my wife's Santa Fe. I don't think they've been cleaned in at least a year...filthy, black brake dust...upstate NY winters...yuk...I bought some Hot Rims cleaner, wet them, sprayed on the Hot Rims, let it set for 30 seconds, rubbed a little with a spoke brush and rinsed...they literally look like new! I'm amazed at how easy it was!!!! I may even wash them again before next year!

[sullysdetailing]

Awesome write up. As for when to clean wheels... I do mine first, then when they are all done, I throw a towel over the wheel to protect it from water/clay lube/wax/etc.


Shawn, thanks for showing the example on chrome wheels. My fiance's car needs claying and a sealant BADLY and this really gives me hope!

No Problem. When My new site is up and running there will be a how to section with write ups and videos

[kens56now]

I've wondered about the common sense of cleaning wheels first also. When I look at the reason most used, it's to make sure that the harsh dirt/brake dust does not get on to your newly washed car. But if you happen to slop some the dreadful brake dust dirty water on the car paint by first washing your wheels, don't you now risk the brake dust scratching the paint as you come back to wash the car? I don't know, it all seems such a vicious circle to me. I figure that if there is that much concern and neurosis about the damage tiny particles will do to the paint and the shine, what the hell are we doing driving our cars after the spit shine anyway????

[Mr. Clean WA]

Thanks for the write up - I just about bought new O.Z. rims because I was tired of spending 75% of my time on my wheels of my STi. Going to try the DP product and the Clean Wheel Lugnut Brush - Maybe that will save me a bit of cash eh?

[sullysdetailing]

Ya 2 of my clients have that car with those wheels. I would recommend applying DP Wheel Glaze or something simliar to the wheels it will make life alot easier

[Buckskincolt]

Thanks Shawn, great write up! Never thought of claying wheels to get those pesky spots off, makes great sense!

[S2K]

I used to always clean my wheels last but I washed my car this afternoon and thought I'd try doing the wheels first. I actually like doing it this way now. I found it was easier to keep the wheels wet while washing and rinsing the car than trying to keep the car dry while washing the wheels, and then dry everything together. I used a leaf blower and it dried the wheels very quickly. I think it saved time not having to dry the car twice.

[GaryD]

wheels first, then top working down, a final rinse to wheels and tire.

[sullysdetailing]

Thanks guys glad I could help