It may not seem like a big deal to most car owners, but having a clean set of wheels (and tyres) is a must for detailers and detailing enthusiasts.
If you’re a new car owner, you might be wondering how to clean your wheels properly.
We explain how to detail your wheels and show you what products you’ll need.
WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH WHEELS?
Having shiny or even glossy paintwork is really awesome. You’ll be the envy of most car owners.
However, if your wheels and tyres are filthy, your car’s cool factor is immediately reduced by half. It’s like wearing a finely tailored suit with a pair of tattered shoes.
Shiny wheels and tyres complete your car’s look and demonstrate the owner’s attention to detail.
GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS
To clean your wheels, you’ll need the following:
1) A wash mitt (not the one you’ll be using for the car body)
2) Wheel cleaner (this is a good example)
3) Detailing brushes
4) Wheel brushes
You need a separate wash mitt because you don’t want the muck from the wheels and tyres all over your pristine bodywork.
A good wheel cleaner is gentle on most finishes, but tough on brake dust and grime. Detailing brushes are for cleaning the lug nuts, while the long and thin wheel brushes are for the barrel (the wheel interiors).
THE PROCESS
1) Before washing your car, fill your wash bucket with a mixture of car shampoo and water. Fill another bucket with clean water.
2) Liberally spray wheel cleaner on your wheels and tyres. We suggest doing two at a time.
3) After a minute or so, use the detailing brushes to agitate the tyre sidewall, followed by the face of the wheel.
4) Next, take your barrel brush (wheel brush) and agitate the inside of the wheel.
5) When you’re done agitating, rinse the wheel. If there is remaining dirt, go over it with the wash mitt.
6) If you’ve done it right, the tyre will be clean (rub your finger on the sidewall to check) and your wheels will be shiny again.
