Start with your aftermarket wheels. Wheels can become dirty due to road salts, debris from winter and other contaminants. Maintaining and cleaning your car will improve the appearance of your vehicle, as well as protect your investment. This blog will help you choose the best cleaners and cleaning methods to keep your wheels in great condition for many months.
How to Choose the Right Tools for Wheel Cleaning
It takes more than a quick wash to keep your wheels looking pristine. It is important to use the right brushes, cloths and cleaning tools in order to prevent damaging your wheels. What you need to know about choosing the right wheel cleaning tools and how they can help.
Correct Tools are Important
The wheels are subjected to a great deal of wear from road debris and brake dust. They also suffer damage due to harsh weather conditions. Incorrect tools can cause scratches, corrosion and a decline in appearance and functionality. The right cleaning tools will not only prolong the life of your wheels but will also preserve their aesthetic appeal.
Essential Wheel Cleaners
- Wheel Brushes
- Soft Bristled Brushes: Ideal to gently clean the surface without scratching it. These brushes are able to reach between spokes and lug nuts.
- Wheel woolies: These soft synthetic woolens are ideal for intricate designs and delicate finishing.
- Microfiber Cloths
- High Quality Microfiber Towels : Use them to dry and buff your wheels. These towels are very absorbent, and they reduce the chance of leaving any lint behind or scratching your wheels.
- Microfiber Wheel Wipes: Ideal for cleaning the wheels and applying cleaners without damaging them.
- Specialized cleaning tools
- Detailing brushes: Small and fine-bristled brush are ideal for difficult-to-reach areas.
- Foam applicators: Use this to apply wheel cleaners or polishes without scratching the surfaces.
Tips on Effective Wheel Cleaning
- Rinse your Wheels Thoroughly: Before you use any cleaning tools, thoroughly rinse your wheels to remove loose dirt.
- Choose a Wheel Cleaner Designed for Wheels: To avoid damaging the finish, choose a wheel cleaner that is designed specifically for wheels.
- Clean one wheel at atime: Concentrate on cleaning only one wheel to prevent residue and drying of the cleaner.
- Rinse & Dry Properly: After cleaning the wheels, rinse them off with all cleaning agents. Then dry them using a microfiber cloth.
Use the right brushes, cloths and cleaning tools to keep your wheels in top condition while avoiding damage. Proper maintenance will ensure that your wheels look good and perform well, improving the safety and appeal of your car.
Wheel Cleaning Basics
It is important to use the correct cleaner on aftermarket wheels for effective maintenance. Different finishes such as powder-coated, aluminum, chrome and other surfaces require special care to prevent damage. Use a pH-balanced, non-acidic cleaner designed specifically for cars. These cleaners will protect the wheel finish, including the clearcoat. These cleaners also protect metal from corrosion.
Use mild dish soaps that are gentle and non-acidic. Avoid using acidic or harsh cleaners. These cleaners can damage the protective coating on many aftermarket wheels. It is best to use a high-quality wheel cleaner from a trusted brand of auto care. This will ensure compatibility with the wheels and give you the best results.
How to Clean Your Wheels: A Step-byStep Guide
- Prerinse Rinse the wheels with a gentle stream of water. It will remove brake dust, loose dirt and abrasives. Avoid using high pressure washers close to the surface as they can damage the finish.
- Spray wheel cleaner liberally on both the tire and the wheel. Check that the product will not damage your wheels. Allow the product sit for the recommended amount of time as per the instructions to dissolve brake dust.
- Gently scrub wheels with soft bristled brush. This job is best done with wheel brushes that have a small size and can fit in the tightest spaces. To remove dirt, use a smaller brush to clean the lug nuts and other areas that are more confined.
- Rinse the wheels thoroughly to remove any cleaners or loose dirt. To prevent watermarks and to give the wheels a shine, you can dry them with a microfiber towel.
- After cleaning, take a moment to inspect your wheels. Check for areas that require cleaning or touch ups.
There are a few common mistakes to avoid when cleaning aftermarket wheels
To avoid damaging the finish and integrity of aftermarket wheels, it is important to maintain them with care. Unknowingly, many wheel owners make mistakes that damage their wheels. Avoid these common mistakes to keep your aftermarket wheels in perfect condition.
1. Harsh Chemicals
Mistake: Use of abrasive or chemical cleaners not intended for wheels may strip the protective coatings, causing corrosion.
Solution: Use cleaners that are specifically designed for wheels. These products are tough on brake dust and dirt, but gentle on wheels’ finishes.
2. Incorrect Cleaning Techniques
Mistake: Using rough tools or scrubbing too hard can damage the finish of the wheel.
Solution: Use microfiber cloths and soft brushes. Let the cleaner handle most of the cleaning.
3. Neglecting the Pre-Rinse
Mistake: By skipping the pre-rinse, you can cause scratches as dirt and debris will act like sandpaper.
Solution: Before applying any cleaner, thoroughly rinse your wheels to remove all loose dirt.
4. Use One Bucket to Wash
Mistake: Do not use the same bucket to wash and rinse your wheels. This can cause dirt and grime to be reintroduced onto them.
Solution: Use two buckets – one to wash your tools and the other for rinsing. It helps to keep the cleaning solution clean and free of abrasive materials.
5. Ignoring wheel Barrels
Error: By focusing only on the outer barrels of the wheel and ignoring the inner barrels, corrosion and buildup can occur.
Solution: Clean all the wheel parts, including the inner barrels. You can reach these areas with a wheel woolie, or a brush with a long handle.
6. Let Cleaners Dry On Wheels
Mistake: If you allow cleaners to dry, they can cause stubborn residues on your wheels and discoloration.
Solution: Clean one wheel at atime and thoroughly rinse before the cleaner dries. This will prevent residue buildup, and give you a clean finish.
7. Cleaning tools for the home
Error: Using household cleaning products like kitchen brushes or sponges can cause wheels to become too abrasive.
Solution: Investing in wheel cleaning tools such as microfiber towels and wheel cleaning mitts, with soft bristles, is a good idea.
8. Skip the final rinse and dry
Mistake: Failure to rinse off all cleaning agents and allow wheels to dry by air can cause water spots or chemical damage.
Solution: Rinse your wheels well after cleaning to remove any cleaning products. To avoid water spots or streaks, dry them using a high-quality, clean microfiber towel.
9. Protective Coatings are often overlooked
Mistake: Failure to apply a protective coat after cleaning your wheels can leave them vulnerable to damage in the future.
Solution: Apply a wheel sealant after cleaning and drying to create a protective coating. It makes cleaning easier in the future and prevents damage caused by road grime or brake dust.
Avoiding these mistakes and using the correct products and techniques will keep your aftermarket wheels in pristine condition and extend their lifespan. The right care will not only protect your investment but will also enhance their appearance.
Ceramic Coatings: Protecting your wheels with benefits
Consider applying a protective coating to your wheel between washes. Ceramic coatings form a hard, protective layer that protects your wheels from brake dust and contaminants. It makes it easier to maintain them in the future. Our ceramic coating will improve the look of your wheels and will protect them from the elements.
Ceramic coatings are a good investment for car lovers who want their wheels to look new and spend less time cleaning them. Applying a protective coat to wheels can help extend their life.
Wrapping up:
Regular cleaning and maintenance is necessary to keep your wheels in top condition. With the right technique, you can easily maintain your wheel’s beauty and integrity. For the best protection, consider our premium ceramic coating. If you have any questions or need more information about our ceramic coating, please contact us. We want to make sure your car looks great.
