How-To Clean Your Car's Tires and Wheels Without Causing Damage

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

If you use your regular car wash soap to clean your wheels, you may discover that they are not as bright and shiny as they should be. That's because car wash soaps are not strong enough to clean away brake dust, road tar and road grime. To properly clean your car, truck or SUV wheels you may need to use a cleaner that's formulated for your type of wheel.

The finish on your car's wheel will determine the type of cleaner you should use. Most wheels are either painted, powder coated, anodized, polished and clear coated, chromed or polished with no coating. If your wheels are chromed, you can use an acid-based wheel cleaner. For all other wheels, use a non-acid cleaner. If you are in doubt, look for a product that is for "all wheels."

Professional car detailers commonly use acid-based cleaners because they clean very rapidly. If you are not accustomed to using strong cleaners, you are well advised to stay clear. Acid cleaners can damage painted, polished and anodized surfaces. A good acid-free cleaner is the best alternative for most car owners.

How-to Clean Tires & Wheels

For proper cleaning you will need a large bucket, a tire brush, a soft wheel brush, a sponge, a garden hose and nozzle, spray wheel cleaner, and your favorite car wash soap. As an alternative to car wash soap you can use Dawn dish washing liquid.

Caution: I don't recommend cleaners containing bleach. You'll find it in a number of over-the-counter products for whitewall tires. In my experience it causes tires to gray and become very dull looking. It may also discolor your alloy or polished wheels, so be careful!

Here are a few tips that I find make wheel cleaning a bit easier:

1. Clean and rinse one tire and wheel at a time.

2. To avoid water spots, clean your tires and wheels before washing the car.

3. Use a bucket of soapy water along with your wheel cleaner. This makes your wheel cleaner last longer and the soapy water lubricates to prevent scratching.

4. If your wheels are heavily soiled, spray liberally with wheel cleaner and allow time to soak before scrubbing (up to three minutes), but never allow the cleaner to dry.

5. Use proper brushes with additional soapy water to agitate the tire and wheel surface. Follow with your sponge to remove any remaining dirt film.

6. Use your wheel brush and soapy water to scrub the fender wells. This small detail keeps your car looking sharp.

7. Be sure to rinse the tire, wheel, brake caliper and fender well thoroughly with water. All cleaners need to be flushed away.

After Cleaning Your Tires and Wheels

Be sure to dry your tires and wheels after washing. Cotton toweling works well.

Once dry, you can use a tire dressing to protect and beautify the rubber. For best protection and appearance, tires need a liberal application of tire dressing or tire gel after every other wash (twice a month). Apply dressing to the fender wells, too.

Wheels also need regular protection. Don't forget to polish and wax your wheels when you wax the car. A great product that cleans, protects and shines in one easy step is Wheel Wax.

Find more high quality car detailing articles on the Guide to Detailing blog, including how-to repair alloy wheels.