There isn't a single method we can recommend for cleaning wheels. It all depends on the wheel shape, condition ie. brake dust and grime build-up, tyre condition, budget for materials and any time restrictions you may have.
So, we've wheeled out the #DetailStig and had it (him?) demonstrate all three of its methods and we've explained when and why each of them is recommended so you can choose the best method for you and any given situation. Enjoy...
Wheel & Tyre Wash Method #1
This first method describes how to wash wheels with a NanoFibre Wash Mitt (or Curvy Lady as we call it). We HIGHLY recommend this as the process to use to wash your wheels on a weekly basis.
The only time this method isn’t convenient is when you’re not able to get down close to the wheel, you have a very tightly spoked wheel that won’t allow a wash mitt behind the spokes, or you don’t want to get your hands wet or dirty, in which case we’d recommend Method #2, a spray on, hose off process, or Method #3, which employs a wheel brush.
You'll need these 5-6 products including a Wheel Cloth or an old cloth that cleans well and any kind of soft bristled brush;
- Wheel Clean 5ooml
- ‘Curvy Lady’ NanoFibre Wash Mitt
- ‘Jaffa’ citrus degreaser 500ml
- Cleanse STRONG tar remover 500ml
Start by applying Wheel Clean in a thin mist to a dry, cool wheel
Of course, always make sure the wheel is cool to touch, never, ever apply any chemical to any hot surface. A 15 minute rest is usually enough to cool wheels down to a safe temperature. Aim to get 100% coverage, but don't overuse the product as the next step will make sure you get the Wheel Clean everywhere it needs to be.
Clean the wheel with a Curvy Lady Wash Mitt
We recommend cleaning the face of your wheels with a NanoFibre mitt and the insides with the mitt also, if possible. If you're unable to clean the insides of your wheels with a mitt, you'll need to use a wheel brush and method #3. This step
moves the chemical around to any areas you may not have applied chemical to in the previous step and gives it a second chance at breaking down the grime and dust.
Rinse the wheel, preferably with high pressure
To remove wheel cleaning chemical, the brake dust, dirt and lift these off and away with minimal to no abrasive action, use high pressure water and lots of it. Make sure all the chemical is gone and before any of it has a chance to dry.
Apply and remove Jaffa and then Cleanse STRONG to tyres
This step cleans the tyre sidewalls very well, the organic citrus acids in Jaffa penetrate the rubber and break oils, Cleanse STRONG, a tar remover helps with a different type of debris and helps to remove the Jaffa residual. Cleanse is an optional step, but highly recommended, if you try it both ways we're sure you'll see why we recommend it.
Dry and/or Protect
You now have clean wheels and tyres! To dry the wheels either leave the wheel to air dry, take the car for a quick spin, use compressed air (or a blower) or a Wheel Cloth or similar. Now is also the time to apply protection such as Full Metal Jacket Spray Wax.
Wheel & Tyre Wash Method #2
The second method describes how to wash wheels without having to touch any part of your vehicle with your hands for lightly soiled wheels that require a light clean. It's a method that's suitable for regular cleaning of wheels on a vehicle that's not used often and in between proper wheel cleaning, or for vehicles that are cleaned regularly and don't emit much brake dust, for instance, vehicles with carbon ceramic brakes or electric cars with heavy regenerative settings.
You'll need only these 2 products and any kind of soft bristled brush;
Start by applying Wheel Clean in a thin mist to a dry, cool wheel
Of course, always make sure the wheel is cool to touch, never, ever apply any chemical to any hot surface. A 15 minute rest is usually enough to cool wheels down to a safe temperature. Aim to get 100% coverage, but don't overuse the product as the next step will make sure you get the Wheel Clean everywhere it needs to be.
Rinse the wheel, preferably with high pressure
To remove wheel cleaning chemical, the brake dust, dirt and lift these off and away with minimal to no abrasive action, use high pressure water and lots of it. Make sure all the chemical is gone and before any of it has a chance to dry.
Apply and remove Jaffa for tyre cleaning
This step cleans the tyre sidewalls very well, the organic citrus acids in Jaffa penetrate the rubber and break oils, a brush is an optional step, but highly recommended, deleting the brushing step means slightly less efficient use of Jaffa.
Dry and/or Protect
You now have clean wheels and tyres! To dry the wheels either leave the wheel to air dry, take the car for a quick spin, use compressed air (or a blower) or a Wheel Cloth or similar. Now is also the time to apply protection such as Full Metal Jacket Spray Wax.
Wheel & Tyre Wash Method #3
This third method is the processes we use for cleaning and protecting wheels and tyres with the best results. This method is recommended for heavily soiled wheels that require a intensive clean. This method isn't as convenient as method #1 or #2, however, it is the most thorough and it's recommended you carry out this procedure every 3 months for daily driven and 6-12 months for low mileage vehicles.
You'll need these 10 products;
- Wheel Clean 5ooml
- Wheel Brush
- ‘Curvy Lady’ NanoFibre Wash Mitt
- ‘Jaffa’ citrus degreaser 500ml
- Cleanse STRONG tar remover 500ml
- NanoFibre Wheel Cloth
- Paint Cleanse
- Full Metal Jacket Spray Wax or, much better, Full Metal Jacket Paint Protection
Start by applying Wheel Clean in a thin mist to a dry, cool wheel
Of course, always make sure the wheel is cool to touch, never, ever apply any chemical to any hot surface. A 15 minute rest is usually enough to cool wheels down to a safe temperature. Aim to get 100% coverage, but don't overuse the product as the next step will make sure you get the Wheel Clean everywhere it needs to be.
Agitate the wheel cleaner, reach to the very back of the wheels, behind calipers and behind spokes.
A wheel brush will help loosen baked on debris as well as facilitate access to areas that are difficult or dangerous to reach.
Clean the wheel with a Curvy Lady Wash Mitt
We recommend cleaning the face of your wheels with a NanoFibre mitt. It not only reaches the only section of the wheel the brush doesn't clean, but uses its more gentle action on the face of the wheel, the section you see most. This minimises swirling on your wheel finish and as a result minimises polishing.
Use a specialised brush, cue tips, soft toothbrush etc. to clean any details on your wheels.
All wheels are different, so we cannot recommend one brush for this step. Use what's available and best suited to your wheel design. Don't forget to clean around the centre cap, lug nuts and between the rim and the tyre.
Apply to and remove Jaffa from tyres
This step cleans the tyre sidewalls very well, the organic citrus acids in Jaffa penetrate the rubber and break oils, Cleanse STRONG, a tar remover helps with a different type of debris and helps to remove the Jaffa residual. Cleanse is an optional step, but highly recommended, if you try it both ways we're sure you'll see why we recommend it.
Rinse the wheel, preferably with high pressure
To remove wheel cleaning chemical, the brake dust, dirt and lift these off and away with minimal to no abrasive action, use high pressure water and lots of it. Make sure all the chemical is gone and before any of it has a chance to dry.
Repeat Jaffa and then Cleanse STRONG to tyres
Repeating this Jaffa step cleans the tyre sidewalls again, obvioualy, the addition of Cleanse STRONG, a tar remover helps with a different type of debris and helps to remove the Jaffa residual. Cleanse is an optional step, but highly recommended, if you try it both ways we're sure you'll see why we recommend it. You now have much cleaner sidewalls that should be free from any old dressing and they should look new and feel gummy. This means they look great and if you choose to apply tyre dressing, it will adhere better and less to no sling should occur (depending on the cleaning and tyre dressing quality).
Dry, Prep & Protect
You now have clean wheels and tyres! To dry the wheels either leave the wheel to air dry, take the car for a quick spin, use compressed air (or a blower) or a Wheel Cloth or similar. Now is also the time to apply protection such as Full Metal Jacket Spray Wax. The addition of the preparation with Paint Cleanse helps remove any residual from the clean and helps yoru protection to adhere better, ensuring maximum longevity and performance.
What the FAQ?
Why do we apply wheel clean to a dry wheel?
We do this because wet wheel dilute chemical and cause it to run off the surfaces, this is inefficient. We want to apply to least amount of chemical for maximum 'cling' which means we are going to get maximum bang for buck. We are also going to have clean wheels, no clean spots at the bottom somewhere and a clean driveway.
Have we specially selected an easy wheel to clean?
Nope. This is the Detail Stig's daily drive and the wheels are 20 year old originals, they're 325,000 kms old and are not coated in any type of wax that may help demonstrate our products or procedures in any unfair way. How can you tell if there is a wax giving us an unfair advantage? Take a look at the rinse water, it clings to the surface, it isn't hydrophobic, i.e. it doesn't bead at all and it also doesn't sheet with in a tell tale hydrophillic wax characteristics
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