Wheels are an essential part of any vehicle, so it’s crucial to keep them clean and in good condition at all times. This can be quite a challenging task since they are the part that gets dirtier than any other part of your vehicle. Well, any part that can be seen at least.
The two main culprits are: road grime and brake dust. Brake dust can cause significant damage, such as etching the finish of your wheels if left unchecked. When it comes to road grime, it is more of an aesthetic issue, but it can be unpleasant nonetheless. Thankfully, there are simple ways to keep your wheels looking clean and shiny.
Choose the Right Cleaner
Needless to say, choosing the correct cleaner is critical. There are many high-quality all-purpose cleaning solutions made from the best, biodegradable, eco-friendly ingredients that can be used on all types of vehicles. There are also heavy-duty cleaners for stubborn dirt and grime on wheels. You can choose one based on the level of dirt on your wheels.
Always Cool Wheels
You must remember never to spray water or cleaner on wheels while they are still hot. This may damage your brake rotors and compromise the finish of your wheels. Always allow your brakes and wheels to cool after driving. Also, if possible, avoid washing your wheels in direct sunlight.
Clean One Wheel at a Time
You should never forget to clean your wheels one at a time, so that the product does not dry on the surface. If you are using a heavy-duty wheel cleaner, be patient and watch for the color-changing effect that comes with this type of cleaner. If the product does dry, respray it to reinvigorate the cleaning action.
Rinse Thoroughly
Before applying your wheel cleaning product, ensure that you thoroughly rinse the wheel with water. This will allow the product to be carried to the wheel’s tight spots and remote areas. Additionally, the pressure from the hose blasts out some of the sediment and dirt immediately, allowing the wheel cleaning solution to work on even the toughest grime, blemishes, and gunk.
Use All-Purpose Tools
Brake dust can be tough to clean, especially in the deep recesses of wheel wells. There is a wide range of all-purpose tools that can help make cleaning these areas easy. These purpose-built tools enable you to thoroughly clean even the most challenging wheels, whether they have intricate, multi-spoke, or super-fine mesh designs.
Keep a Separate Bucket and Mitt
If your car cleaning regimen involves using a bucket and wash mitts, it is a sagacious idea to keep a separate bucket and mitt for the wheels. If you do not do this, you could end up picking up and transferring dirt or metallic brake dust, which is even worse, as it can cause significant damage to your paint.
You should wash your rims last anyway for this reason and others. Shouldn’t you clean from top to bottom? However, you certainly do not want to be the one who damages your paint finish by scratching it with tiny sharp objects caught in your wash mitt. With the force of your “elbow grease,” you could end up scraping your car’s paint, and then you will probably invent some new terrible words in the English language.
Always Rinse Well
Every time you clean your wheels, ensure they receive a thorough final rinse. Follow this with a thorough wipe-down using a clean, dry towel. This will help prevent water spots from forming. Several brands offer quality drying towels that are ideal for this purpose.
Dry Lug Nut Holes
Does cleaning your lug nuts leave you frustrated? You are not alone. As you know, water often pools in lug nut holes, and as soon as you move your vehicle, your pristine wheels have water dribbling all over. You can prevent this from happening by ensuring that you dry the lug nut holes as thoroughly as possible. Always make this a part of your car or wheel cleaning regimen.
Go the Extra Mile
As with any part of car maintenance, it is the details that make a world of difference with your wheels. When you work hard and do things the right way, you will undoubtedly be rewarded.
Some products can be used to remove embedded contaminants that cannot be removed by washing alone. You should also consider removing your wheels periodically to clean the underside. People who see you might think you have gone crazy, but this can help your wheels last longer, improve fuel economy, and ultimately make your car look better, as some of the grime on the back side is sometimes visible when looking at your vehicle.
Maintaining your car is essential to ensuring it looks good and runs well for many years. Some car owners do not focus on the wheels like they should. However, there are ways to do the job yourself – and do it well.
All you need to employ is commitment and the right supplies and products. With the tips mentioned above, you can make sure that your wheels look as immaculate as the rest of your vehicle. And there is nothing wrong with that!