Cleaning wheels

[pektel]

Figured I would do a short write-up on basic wheel cleaning, since I think it's one of the easiest overlooked areas when washing.

I wash wheels/wells before washing the rest of the car, and have a separate wheel bucket for the brushes/solution.

Here's a list of what I use:

A. Car wash solution. My current favorite is Optimum Car Wash. http://www.detailedimage.com/Optimum-OPT-M36/Car-Wash-P284/128-oz-S2/
B. Degreaser. For tires and wheel wells. In that bottle is Meguiar's Super Degreaser diluted 4:1 http://www.detailedimage.com/Meguiars-M43/Super-Degreaser-D108-P379/
C. Wheel Cleaner. I use Chemical Guy's Diablo at 2:1 dilution. http://www.detailedimage.com/Chemic...eaner-Concentrated-Suspension-P414/128-oz-S2/
D. Undercarriage dressing. The bottle says Adam's Invisible Undercarriage spray, but I use Chemical Guy's Barebones. http://www.detailedimage.com/Chemical-Guys-M31/Bare-Bones-Undercarriage-Spray-P187/128-oz-S2/
E. 3 gallon pail. This is only used for wheels.
F. Microfiber drying towel. Again, one that is dedicated to wheels only.

Tools:

1. Wheel well brush. I think I got this one at Walmart or Target.
2. Raceglaze XL wheel brush. For wheel barrels. http://www.autowerkesexclusive.com/products/Tires---Wheels/Raceglaze-XL-Wheel-Brush/index.html
3. Uber Boar's Hair Wheel Brush. Boar's hair is very gentle, so it won't scratch wheels. http://www.detailersdomain.com/uberboarshairwheelbrush.aspx
4. Mini EZ detail brush. For barrels as well. http://www.detailedimage.com/DI-Accessories-M12/E-Z-Detail-Brush-P273/Mini-Size-S2/
5. Swissvax wheel brush. This one is good for lug nut areas, and pretty much anywhere you want to really agitate. I have a few of these brushes for different jobs. http://www.detailersdomain.com/swissvax-wheelbrush.aspx
6. Stiff Bristle nylon brush. for scrubbing tires. This is a cheapo one from walmart.


First, fill your wheel bucket with water and an ounce of car wash shampoo. Put the brushes in to soak. Didn't take a picture of this because, well, it should be self explanatory.

The wheel to be cleaned:

First, rinse down the wheel, to get as much off as you can. But a lot of grime will still remain:

Next, spray the wheel wells and tires with degreaser, and the wheels with the dedicated wheel cleaner:

Degreaser in wheel wells:

Degreaser on tires:

And wheel gel on the wheels:

I let the degreaser soak on the wheel wells while I clean the wheel/tire.

Nylon brush on tires:

Then the wheel face:

And finally the barrels. This part I find is crucial to a good wheel cleaning. It does make a big difference in the finished look. Make sure to get behind the spokes as well.

I didn't get any pictures of scrubbing the wheel wells. Just find a brush that works, and scrub them down. Sometimes a second application of degreaser and another round of scrubbing is required if they are really dirty.

After everything has dried, apply the undercarriage dressing to the wheel wells. It helps to make the wheel wells disappear, so they do not stand out:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

I will update this thread tomorrow with wheel sealant instructions.

Thanks for looking!

 

[HyeLifeLS]

Nice nice nice

 

[Detailed Image]

Thanks for the write up I like to hear about others experiences and preferred products.

 

[SPSully]

i use this stuff called "Wifey get you @$$ out there and wash my damn car" and it works KILLER!!!!!!!!! Get the wheels, tires, fender wells, paint, glass, leather, etc., etc. etc.

 

[pektel]

i use this stuff called "Wifey get you @$$ out there and wash my damn car" and it works KILLER!!!!!!!!! Get the wheels, tires, fender wells, paint, glass, leather, etc., etc. etc.

lol. I thought you would call her "wench" instead of "wifey"

 

[pektel]

Thanks for the write up I like to hear about others experiences and preferred products.

Thanks for the feedback. Most everything I buy I get from DI, unless it's something you don't carry (like some of the wheel brushes).

I am in need of a new wheel cleaner. Although I like Diablo, it is rather weak for really trashed wheels. I'm thinking of getting a gallon wheel brightener shortly. Its been in my shopping cart multiple times. Shipping is a killer on gallons though.

 

[Detailed Image]

Thanks for the feedback. Most everything I buy I get from DI, unless it's something you don't carry (like some of the wheel brushes).

I am in need of a new wheel cleaner. Although I like Diablo, it is rather weak for really trashed wheels. I'm thinking of getting a gallon wheel brightener shortly. Its been in my shopping cart multiple times. Shipping is a killer on gallons though.

Your continued support of Detailed Image is truly appreciated! The Megs Wheel Brightener is really strong so you won't be disappointed. I only use it on clear coated wheels though because it's that strong, even when diluted.

 

[stallone 81]

Figured I would do a short write-up on basic wheel cleaning, since I think it's one of the easiest overlooked areas when washing.

I wash wheels/wells before washing the rest of the car, and have a separate wheel bucket for the brushes/solution.

Here's a list of what I use:

A. Car wash solution. My current favorite is Optimum Car Wash. http://www.detailedimage.com/Optimum-OPT-M36/Car-Wash-P284/128-oz-S2/
B. Degreaser. For tires and wheel wells. In that bottle is Meguiar's Super Degreaser diluted 4:1 http://www.detailedimage.com/Meguiars-M43/Super-Degreaser-D108-P379/
C. Wheel Cleaner. I use Chemical Guy's Diablo at 2:1 dilution. http://www.detailedimage.com/Chemic...eaner-Concentrated-Suspension-P414/128-oz-S2/
D. Undercarriage dressing. The bottle says Adam's Invisible Undercarriage spray, but I use Chemical Guy's Barebones. http://www.detailedimage.com/Chemical-Guys-M31/Bare-Bones-Undercarriage-Spray-P187/128-oz-S2/
E. 3 gallon pail. This is only used for wheels.
F. Microfiber drying towel. Again, one that is dedicated to wheels only.

Tools:

1. Wheel well brush. I think I got this one at Walmart or Target.
2. Raceglaze XL wheel brush. For wheel barrels. http://www.autowerkesexclusive.com/products/Tires---Wheels/Raceglaze-XL-Wheel-Brush/index.html
3. Uber Boar's Hair Wheel Brush. Boar's hair is very gentle, so it won't scratch wheels. http://www.detailersdomain.com/uberboarshairwheelbrush.aspx
4. Mini EZ detail brush. For barrels as well. http://www.detailedimage.com/DI-Accessories-M12/E-Z-Detail-Brush-P273/Mini-Size-S2/
5. Swissvax wheel brush. This one is good for lug nut areas, and pretty much anywhere you want to really agitate. I have a few of these brushes for different jobs. http://www.detailersdomain.com/swissvax-wheelbrush.aspx
6. Stiff Bristle nylon brush. for scrubbing tires. This is a cheapo one from walmart.


First, fill your wheel bucket with water and an ounce of car wash shampoo. Put the brushes in to soak. Didn't take a picture of this because, well, it should be self explanatory.

The wheel to be cleaned:

First, rinse down the wheel, to get as much off as you can. But a lot of grime will still remain:

Next, spray the wheel wells and tires with degreaser, and the wheels with the dedicated wheel cleaner:

Degreaser in wheel wells:

Degreaser on tires:

And wheel gel on the wheels:

I let the degreaser soak on the wheel wells while I clean the wheel/tire.

Nylon brush on tires:

Then the wheel face:

And finally the barrels. This part I find is crucial to a good wheel cleaning. It does make a big difference in the finished look. Make sure to get behind the spokes as well.

I didn't get any pictures of scrubbing the wheel wells. Just find a brush that works, and scrub them down. Sometimes a second application of degreaser and another round of scrubbing is required if they are really dirty.

After everything has dried, apply the undercarriage dressing to the wheel wells. It helps to make the wheel wells disappear, so they do not stand out:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

I will update this thread tomorrow with wheel sealant instructions.

Thanks for looking!

on my front wheels i have little spots of like brake dust caked up and wont come out would this remove it or is it perminatly stained ?

 

[Detailed Image]

on my front wheels i have little spots of like brake dust caked up and wont come out would this remove it or is it perminatly stained ?

Most likely you can remove it with a quality metal polish. The Optimum (OPT) Metal Polish or the P21S Finish Restorer would be two of my top choices. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[pektel]

stallone, what's the finish on your wheels? Are they chrome? Or painted?

EDIT: IF you are talking about the stock chrome 5 spokes, then I second P21S finish restorer. Use an old Microfiber towel.

 

[kustomizingkid]

Where did you get that awesome raceglaze brush???

Great writeup!

 

[pektel]

The one that was made by Jesus?

Thanks again. That's an awesome brush for sure.

Just got a sample of Sonax wheel cleaner...

 

[stallone 81]

stallone, what's the finish on your wheels? Are they chrome? Or painted?

EDIT: IF you are talking about the stock chrome 5 spokes, then I second P21S finish restorer. Use an old Microfiber towel.

when i use that it looks like almost a grease type bottle what do i do rub it on the mark first then rub it off with the towel or rub it on with the towel lol ?

 

[pektel]

I would put a dab of the polish on the wheel, then work it in using light to medium pressure with the old mf towel. Don't scrub too hard. Instead, work the polish longer using lighter pressure. This should prevent marring.