How to clean rims
On-Car or Off-Car cleaning
When I think about how to clean car rims, two things come to mind. Clean the car rims while still installed onto the vehicle or with the car rims removed for the cleaning.
No matter what, cleaning brake dust will be messy. So, make sure you have the right cleaning products and protective gear for each step of the job. Rim and tire dirt is not something that you want to get in your eye or soaked up into your clothing.
Rim cleaning tools you may need
- Safety glasses
- Rubber gloves
- Microfiber towel
- Wood paint stick
- Spray, soapy water
- Respirator
- Sharpie marker
- Protective suit, waterproof
- Shoe socks, waterproof
- Protective tarp for rims
- Sharpie marker
- Bucket
- Tire brush
- Rim brush
- Tire acid
Best way to clean car rims
Taking off the tires is the best way to remove the brake dust. This allows the cleaning solution to reach the back of the spokes. Use a soft bristled brush to remove dirt and water spots from the back of the car rim. A pressure washer with a wheel cleaner is useful, but it cannot fully replace manual scrubbing of wheels or rims.
Now is the ideal time to remove melted debris, like asphalt, from the back of the wheel’s surface. Knowing the type of wheels, especially if they are painted or alloy wheels, is important. We usually cover a wooden paint stick with a microfiber cloth and dip it in rubbing alcohol.
Rub the cloth-wrapped stick on the surface to remove sticky tar. Take great care not to scratch the rim. You can reduce scratching by turning the microfiber wrap around as you remove the stuck material.
By removing the rims & cleaning them off of the car, you ensure a cleaning worth doing. Cleaning the rim while it’s still on the vehicle is better than not cleaning it at all. However, this method can lead to corrosion around and behind the spokes. The main cause is the toxic materials being baked into the rim coating.
Driving fast for a long time makes the rim very hot, too hot to touch with your hand. The baking process mixed with toxic brake dust will destroy any protective coating that was once on that rims surface. Only regular cleaning can prevent this damage type.
When to use tire acid
We will reach for tire acid once the brake dust has completely baked into the surface of the rim. If there is any hope of saving the car rims, then we must first remove the hardened crud. Never try to clean car wheels if the rims are hot, they should be cool to the touch.
Wear your respirator and waterproof suit with shoe socks. Apply acid to cracks between spokes, then spray the front face of the rim. Even still try not to breath after spraying & instead hold your breath even in the respirator.
Let sit for 5-10 minutes and then scrub them with a brush. Dip heavily into a bucket of soapy water and keep scrubbing. Most of the dust will just wash away after the treatment. Be sure to completely wash away any water that is still dirty.
How to clean wheel housings
Cleaning the wheelhouse is important for car owners. However, this is not usually done at a car wash. Neglect will lead to problems like rust and rot eating away at your car. You should occasionally remove trim panels, use a cleaning agent, and reinstall the trim in order to prevent this problem. Especially if you routinely park under trees.
If you park under trees, then you must wash your car more often and clean behind your trim every year. To prevent water leaks and the growth of mildew and mold, clean the drainage lines of your car’s moonroof yearly. If you park under a tree, it is important to regularly wash and wax your car. Alternatively, you can have it checked by a car detailing company once a year.
Follow this link back to our ridiculously long list covering everything about auto detailing and learn more about anything you need to know to finish your project. Be sure you’re ready for the more complex topics ahead by glancing over our article on how to wash a car properly.
