How To: Clean Your Wheels and Tires

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! :)
 
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!
 
John K said:
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! :)
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No Problem. When My new site is up and running there will be a how to section with write ups and videos
 
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????

Im the MAN
 
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?

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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
 
Thanks Shawn, great write up! Never thought of claying wheels to get those pesky spots off, makes great sense!:props:
 
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.
 
wheels first, then top working down, a final rinse to wheels and tire.
 
sullysdetailing said:
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
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Yeah AG needs to kick you back something :D Yesterday I grabbed the wheel brush kit to try and get between the spokes and the rim easier (already have the speed master brush) and a gallon of Griots wheel cleaner. Well, this morning I decided to add the DP wheel glaze and another batch of towels.

The only thing though, is that you mention NOT to wet the wheels first. My problem is that there is SO much brake dust generated on these cars on the front wheel that I can actually rinse some off. Should I worry about rinsing the excess dust off or just spray them with the wheel cleaner and get to it.
 
Mr. Clean WA said:
Yeah AG needs to kick you back something :D Yesterday I grabbed the wheel brush kit to try and get between the spokes and the rim easier (already have the speed master brush) and a gallon of Griots wheel cleaner. Well, this morning I decided to add the DP wheel glaze and another batch of towels.

The only thing though, is that you mention NOT to wet the wheels first. My problem is that there is SO much brake dust generated on these cars on the front wheel that I can actually rinse some off. Should I worry about rinsing the excess dust off or just spray them with the wheel cleaner and get to it.
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If this rims are cold and really caked on you can spray the rims with the rim cleaner when there dry
 
I always start with Steaming them with a Sharkys Steam machine. Both the wheel (any type) and the tire come clean to a new level.
 
Good write up! I always do the wheels first, and I always do the back wheel before I do the front one. A habit I picked up when I was sitting on the ground to do them, and got my butt wet from the water I used on the front wheel. Then when the car is done, the wheels are dry enough to apply the dressing. I do that last. But like others said, do it the way it works best for you. Writing stuff in stone makes for a lot of dust, and that's hard to get off, lol! Then again, sometimes you just gotta try new things to see if it works.
 
vet said:
Writing stuff in stone makes for a lot of dust, and that's hard to get off, lol!
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I never heard that before, That is great. May I use this quote in the future?Im the MAN
 
Don't see why not, I haven't copy righted it, maybe I ought to.
 
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