Cleaning your car tyres is an important part of the car detailing process.
The process of washing your car is incomplete if you haven’t paid attention to your tyres.
Cleaning your car tyres is a step that detailing enthusiasts will never skip.
Because if the rest of your car is clean but your tyres (and wheels) are filthy, the entire car’s looks are ruined.
It would be like wearing a finely tailored suit with a pair of muddy boots.
Tyres are your car’s footwear and they deserve your attention!
Cleaning your car tyres and wheels complements the rest of your vehicle.
It reflects the car owner’s attention to detail.
And if you’ve got a nice pair of wheels and a set of high-performance tyres, all the more they need to be cleaned!
The only reason to not clean them is if you drive a Land Rover Defender or Jeep Wrangler.
These off-roaders deserve to look as tough as the terrain they’ve conquered!
Your tyre shine won’t stick to filthy tyres.
Cleaning your car tyres is the first step in detailing them.
You can’t apply those tyre shine products (be it in spray or gel/liquid forms) if your sidewalls are caked in grime.
Tyre shine is formulated to adhere to clean sidewalls.
How to properly clean your tyres:
You’ll need a wheel/tyre cleaner and detailing brushes.
These brushes can be made from synthetic or boar’s hair bristles.
Spray the cleaner all over your tyres and wheels and allow it to set in and start foaming.
After about 30 seconds, use the brush to scrub and agitate the tyres.
Rinse the brush (or use a second one) and do the same with the wheels before rinsing the wheels and tyres.
To see if your car tyres are truly clean…
Rub the sidewalls with your fingers. If it doesn’t turn black, it’s clean.
If it turns black, apply the wheel/tyre cleaner and brush it again.
Make sure your car tyres are dry before applying product!
After you’ve left the washing bay and parked your car, see if there’s any water that needs mopping up.
When you’re sure the car is dry, use the towel to pat the tyres.
If you have cleaned your car tyres properly, the towel should not turn black.
Apply your favourite product, admire your spiffy wheels and tyres, and walk away!
