One of the most challenging, and let’s face it, downright frustrating aspects of vehicle maintenance is keeping the car wheels clean. This is partly due to their constant exposure to the road surface and the various contaminants it contains. Even when you do clean them, your efforts can feel like they’re in vain, as it’s tough to retain that lustrous appearance. Luckily, we’ve put together these helpful tips to give your wheels and tyres a high-gloss and next-level shine that lasts longer.
Products & Tools You’ll Need to Clean Your Car Wheels
Before you get started on achieving that new tyre shine, you'll need the right cleaning tools, such as a large, flexible wheel brush, a smaller brush for tighter spaces, and a high-quality cleaner. The following cleaners are designed to give your tyres and wheels a radiant appearance. They fall into three main categories: acids, non-acids and fallout cleaners.
Acids
Acidic wheel cleaners are very effective for removing baked-on brake dust and cleaning neglected wheels. However, they should be diluted with water as per instructions to prevent damaging the wheel’s surface. The acidity refers to their pH level being below 7, which is why they’re so efficient in dissolving mineral deposits and deep stains. Acids will offer you a faster way to remove heavy contamination, but are less pleasant to use and require caution. While acidic wheel cleaners are efficient, they’re mostly recommended for tyres that are heavily contaminated, such as those that spend a lot of time on country roads.
Non-Acids
Non-acid wheel cleaners are available in a variety of types. There are liquids, gels, concentrates that can be diluted and ready-to-use products. Non-acids are a great way to clean and maintain wheels that are exposed to the usual levels of road grime. We understand this can vary based on vehicle usage, terrain and commutes, but ultimately, non-acids can be used as often as you like with no detrimental effects, so you won’t have to worry about surface damage.
Britegel is an example of a non-acid cleaner that is ready-to-use. It’s a thick gel formula that does not require dilution, helps reduce product wastage and allows for a longer dwell time for a more intensive cleaning. A longer dwell time is beneficial as the gel breaks down difficult grime while providing longer-lasting results, so you can sit back and relax while the Britegel does the job for you. We also offer a wheel and tyre cleaner that is non-acidic, ready to use and excellent for breaking down the harshest brake dust.
Fallout Removers
Often used as wheel cleaners, Fallout removers like Purple Rain are designed to remove iron particles and airborne contaminants that are bonded to wheels at high temperatures. These products are designed to react with these particles to break them down and remove them from the surface. This is the bleeding effect you will see when applied. Fallout removers can handle regular dirt and grime effectively, but this is not their primary purpose. A dedicated wheel cleaner is still best for regular removal of dirt and grime, but it should be followed with a Fallout remover to break down any bonded iron contaminants on your wheels.
How to Clean Car Wheels
Cleaning your wheels and tyres at the start of the car detailing process is of utmost importance for several reasons. Firstly, wheels and tyres are often the dirtiest parts of a vehicle, accumulating road grime, brake dust and other contaminants. By tackling them first, you prevent these contaminants from spreading onto the rest of the car’s surfaces during the cleaning process. Start by rinsing the wheels and tyres to remove the bulk of dirt and loosen any grime.
Next, apply your chosen wheel cleaner to one wheels at a time. Use a soft brush to spread the cleaner over the entirety of the tyre’s surface. This will help loosen the grime and ensure your cleaner is spread throughout all key areas. A lug nut brush will also be necessary to clean around fixings that have accumulated stubborn dust. Also, make sure the wheel cleaner doesn’t dry to prevent staining or residue.
Once your wheels have dried, apply tyre dressing; this will help extend the longevity of your cleaning and give them a showroom-quality finish.
Properly cleaned wheels and tyres serve as a solid foundation for the overall appearance of the vehicle. They contribute significantly to the visual appeal and can enhance the overall impact of the car detailing process, making your vehicle look sleek, well-maintained and ready to hit the road.
Buy Your Wheel Cleaners From Autobrite
Try your hand at giving your wheels and tyres a proper cleaning using our reliable solutions designed to eliminate all types of dirt, grime and contaminants. Discover our range of wheel cleaners to restore your tyres and have them look good as new.
Any enquiries? Contact us by filling out our online form, calling us on 01782 315 632 or sending an email to info@autobritedirect.co.uk.
