Cleaning tires

C

cctaylor88

New member
Joined
Apr 22, 2013
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
I have never owned a set of black wheels and would like to know how exactly I should go about cleaning them. After they are rinsed with water and/or soap I would really like to give the tires that "wet" look...but have had trouble with this in the past. I purchased some gel last summer and I really didn't like it much so I am thinking about going with a spray. I take it you guys recommend some hot shine?

So if I want to clean my tires and give them that lasting wet look what would you suggest? Rinse with water and then apply some spray to a cloth rag and go about it that way? In the past when I go for the wet look it took an incredible amount of work when using the gel, or maybe it was a cheap brand but it didn't seem worth the effort and some spots on the tire would look wet while others barely did at all. Also, I have never went about "protecting" my rims or putting any type of sealer (I don't know if that's the right word to use) on them but wouldn't mind adding the step.

I know this is a lot but this is the place to come. So a quick recap... I really just want to clean my rims (should I do it wet or dry) and then follow up with that wet tire look and would like to know the best products and best method to go about it. Wouldn't mind adding a protector of sorts either.

Thanks!
 
Wheels and tires, two different animals as far as care. Assuming those are black painted wheels, what I have used is quite simple, I just use a cleaner wax (meguiars) or similar to protect. For cleaning, I use a wheel woolie dipped in car wash bucket and that makes cleaning them super simple. I have avoided using wheel cleaners on my wheels.

For the tires, before you apply anything, I would recommend cleaning the tires. Lots of products out there just for cleaning tires. As far as getting them to be nice and shiny, different products offer different levels of gloss. The over the counter products you tend to find in the stores usually build up and do not last. Look through the offerings on AG and choose something you like. I have been using Meguiars Endurance spray, but it has more of a satin finish than a gloss.
 
If my customers tires have any oily stuff on them I strip them with Meg's body solvent. then Hyper dressing.

If my customer request shinny tire I smack them on the nose and say "No! Bad car owner" Jk.
I first put on Meg's Tire and Trim Gel and then spray them with NXT Insane Shine. Then I tell my customer to never call me again, jk.
 
View attachment 17457

Meguiars Headlight Restoration Kit would work of they are in bad shape...

If not just wash them like you would your car. If they are clean just wax them with Meguiars ultimate wax,

If they are semi just do a polish then wax with that drill buffer. Then just keep them clean and wax after every wash.

Treat the black wheel/rim paint like you would do car paint.
 
hernandez.art13 said:
He's just looking for help.
Click to expand...

We all realize that and helped him tremendously on his first thread. There was no need for this one is all I'm saying. If he wanted more suggestions a simple bump of the old thread was all that was needed.
 
dc52nv said:
We all realize that and helped him tremendously on his first thread. There was no need for this one is all I'm saying. If he wanted more suggestions a simple bump of the old thread was all that was needed.
Click to expand...

If it becomes a pattern then say something but he sounds like a newb so just a recommendation of "bumping your thread" should be good enough then start saying why do you keep doing this if it becomes a pattern.
 
That is for cleaning them and making them shine, as to sealing them I'll subscribe and learn too
 
BobbyG said:
Meguiar's Super Degreaser diluted 4 parts water to 1 part product is one of the best products I've ever tried and the price per ounce can't be beat...:props:
Click to expand...


+1 Bobby is right. super degreaser or meg's regular apc with a foaming spray nozzle, will clean both the wheels and tires.

I use meg's apc on most of my customer's wheels, unless they are very bad...then, reluctantly I pull out the meg's wheel brightener. I work very carefully 1 wheel at a time with wheel brightener. This stuff will screw up wheels, lickity split.

Just keep your wheels clean and you'll never need an expesive and potentially damaging, dedicated wheel cleaner.

This is an odd thread btw. What the heck?
 
Meguiars APC is used left and right, i bought the bottle but was shocked and surprised when I opened the box the bottle came but it was empty haha...
 
statusdetailing said:
+1 Bobby is right. super degreaser or meg's regular apc with a foaming spray nozzle, will clean both the wheels and tires.

I use meg's apc on most of my customer's wheels, unless they are very bad...then, reluctantly I pull out the meg's wheel brightener. I work very carefully 1 wheel at a time with wheel brightener. This stuff will screw up wheels, lickity split.

Just keep your wheels clean and you'll never need an expesive and potentially damaging, dedicated wheel cleaner.

This is an odd thread btw. What the heck?
Click to expand...

I think I'm getting confused to cleaning wheels and restoring them haha
 
Okay well I just finished up reading through all of your great posts, although I am surprised at how many were in regards to the duplication. It was an honest mistake as you can tell the threads were made extremely close to one another in regards to time. It wasn't a matter of the other thread not receiving valuable input but a matter of me finding a better location to locate the topic...hence why I mentioned that it can be moved.

Anyways, I think my problem was that I haven't actually given my wheels a thorough scrubbing by hand before applying any tire shine which I will now do next time the sun decides to show her lovely face.

So after scrubbing/cleaning the tire itself (the rubber) and the wheel, I would like to make my wheels last as long as possible... but I am a noob in the whole detailing thing and don't know how this is done? Is there some sort of sealant/wheel wax etc you can apply to a wheel after it is cleaned that will allow it to maintain its shine while fending off brake dust, road grime, dirt etc?

Sorry if this is a lot of questioning but you guys are the ones to ask! I basically want a clean tire (I now know I need to scrub by hand) that shines (I will apply my Megs Hot Shine after scrubbing) and has a "protected" wheel if possible...to keep off brake dust etc or is this even a product?

Also, it seems that after browsing this website it would be in my best interest to buy products in bulk and mix/dilute them myself. I saw a few people recommend Megs Super Degreaser.. but can I use this product on my engine as well as my tires and wheels? Would it be safe to use an engine degreaser on my wheels (they are black). Or do you guys have any other suggestions? I would like a product I can buy in bulk that will allow for good wheel and tire cleaning!

Thanks so much
 
Detailing by M said:
If my customers tires have any oily stuff on them I strip them with Meg's body solvent. then Hyper dressing.

If my customer request shinny tire I smack them on the nose and say "No! Bad car owner" Jk.
I first put on Meg's Tire and Trim Gel and then spray them with NXT Insane Shine. Then I tell my customer to never call me again, jk.
Click to expand...

I am a extremely visual person and this comment made my day!!
 
You can also use meg's super degreaser on your engine at 4:1. hose down the adjacent body panels first. Although it is extremely rare, super degreaser can cause some very light staining of paint when it drips and is allowed to dry.

There are better wheel cleaners out there. super degreaser is just a very affordable choice and can also be used for door jams and engines.
 
Welcome to the forum, cctaylor88. As you have found, there is a lot of info about this subject. I encourage you to do some searching and reading, not just look in your own threads. You will also see that most of us are very opinionated. So, here is mine. yes, scrub your tires (the rubber part). Use any cleaner you can get you hands on. Another suggestion is Westley's bleche white, which you can get at your local auto store or Walmart, etc. Give a vigorous scrub with a hard bristle brush. Then use your spray on, or wipe on, dressing product. As for the wheels (the metal part). Treat them as you would the car. Meaning to say, wash with car wash gel and then polish\wax. That will get you to a place where you will be happy with them as you learn more and more of the details that some other guys have spent years learning.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top