How to Guide to Cleaning Car Wheels
Overview
Cleaning car wheels need not be a difficult task, but it does take more than just a splash of car wash. Following our step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to clean alloy wheels properly, how to clean car tyres, and how to protect them once you’re done to make future cleaning much easier. Let’s make those wheels look SUPER.
Items
Steps
Rinse
A quick rinse to remove and loose dirt is your first step. Use a pressure cleaner if you have one; the more you can remove the better.
Cleaning car wheels
Working one wheel at a time, spray your wheel cleaner. Try and coat the back of the back of the wheel as best as possible. Allow this to penetrate for between two and four minutes, but do NOT allow it to dry.
If your wheels haven’t been properly cleaned in some time, you’ll need to agitate the dirt a little. Use your detailing brushes for the fiddly bits and corners, and the wheel brush to get deep into the wheel barrel around the brakes. Once you’re done scrubbing; rinse your wheel again.
How to remove car deposits when cleaning car wheels
After a bit of wheel cleaner and some scrubbing your wheel will be looking pretty good, but you may notice a few tar deposits remaining. Spray a little tar remover and attack them with a stiff brush.
If they are particularly stubborn, and you have a heat gun – this can help MELT the tar. Just be careful not to melt your paint too, it shouldn’t be so hot that you can’t touch it.
How to clean car tyres
Your usual car wash is PERFECT for cleaning the tyres. Mix up a small amount of highly concentrated car wash, stir it up into thick suds; and brush it on with a detailing brush. Allow about one minute for it to penetrate before scrubbing the tyre with a stiff bristled brush. The tyres will come up clean, and we’ll make them look SUPER later on.
How to tell if your wheels are painted
In order to polish your wheels correctly, you’ll need to know whether your wheels are painted, coated, or uncoated.
If your wheels don’t have the bare metal look, they’re probably painted. For painted wheels you should use the same type of polishing compound you would use on your car.
If you’re unsure whether your wheels are painted, you can apply a dab of mag and aluminium polish to a cloth, and rub the wheel in an inconspicuous area. If it comes away with only some light dirt stains, your wheels are painted.
The same test will reveal if your mag or aluminium wheels are coated. If the cloth comes away quite clean; they’re coated. You should use regular polishing compound. If there’s a thick and definite black buildup – they are uncoated. You should use the mag and aluminium polish.
Of course if they are SUPER shiny, and the cloth test comes back clean; you may have chrome rims. In which case you’ll want a chrome polish.
Deep cleaning car wheels
On a painted or coated wheel, you may only need to work on the stained patches. Apply a dab of polishing compound to your polishing cone and get to work with the drill. Wipe the polished area clean with a microfibre towel to check your progress, and continue until the stain is gone.
Any stains in tight spots or which refuse to budge can be tackled with a dab of compound on a cloth, rubbed vigorously with your finger.
How to clean alloy wheels
Uncoated alloy wheels will take a little more time as you’ll need to polish every nook and cranny to get a perfect even shine. Apply a dab of mag and aluminium polish to your polishing cone and spin it up on the drill. You’ll notice a black edge forming on your wheel, this is oxidisation being removed. Chase this black line around your wheel until you’re back at the start and you have a perfect mirror finish.
Protect your wheels
This last step will keep your wheels looking super for longer! And make them much quicker and easier to clean next time.
Spray a generous amount of ceramic detailer onto a microfiber cloth, and apply this to the face of your wheel. Get right into the barrel of the wheel if you can. The ceramic coating will make it harder for brake dust and road grime to stick.
Should I use tyre shine?
You already know how to clean car tyres, but should you apply tyre shine? A question which divides car lovers around the world. At Supercheap Auto we are all for tyre shine! It’s not just about looks, but protecting your tyre from Ultraviolet rays and the brown staining that occurs over time.
If you’re not a fan of the glossy look, just wipe away a little more of the excess. Even if you like it glossy, don’t leave it too wet. It will only sling off and make a mess when you go for a drive.
Tips
Use that wheel cleaner, followed by detailing spray at every wash – and keeping your wheels clean will be a breeze. And once you’re done there, you can find plenty more ways to help you make it super with Supercheap Auto’s SUPER DIY’s.
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