Wheels and tires are the closest part of the vehicle to the road, so they take the brunt of the driving conditions, road grime, brake dust, weather, etc. Providing these areas with proper care is essential for not only appearance, but overall longevity as well. In this section of the guide, we will walk through the basics of cleaning and protecting your wheels and tires, from choosing the right products to applying them safely and effectively.

Why is Wheel and Tire Care Important?

Wheels play a huge role in the overall look of a vehicle, just look at how big the aftermarket wheel scene is. But even the nicest wheels can look terrible when they are covered in brake dust and road grime. Brake dust in particular is challenging because it comes off the brake pads at very high temperatures and can stick to the wheels. Clean, well maintained wheels, on the other hand, instantly elevate your vehicle’s appearance. The good news is that proper wheel care is not difficult or time consuming when done regularly. Even stubborn brake dust can readily be removed and the wheels restored with the right products and techniques. If you need maintenance cleanings or a deep cleaning the process involves removing contamination, polishing when needed, and applying protection to make future cleanings much easier.

Caring for your tires means more than just slapping on some tire dressing and calling it a day. Properly cleaning your tires helps them look great and prepares them to absorb a tire dressing. If you leave old tire dressing on the surface and never clean it, the new dressing application is less likely to absorb into the tire and it is more likely to sling onto the paint when you drive. Traditional dressings were split into two categories: water based and silicone based. Water based tire dressings use surfactants to deliver a non-greasy shine. These dressings can more readily absorb into your rubber, nourishing it and keeping it soft and flexible over time. The appearance can be subtle but with more than one application you can achieve a glossier finish if desired. Silicone/solvent-based dressings create a high-gloss and water-resistant, “wet” look, but they do not absorb into the tires readily. They sit on top of the surface and can be prone to slinging onto the paint until it is fully dry. They can also attract dust, dry out tires over time and possibly brown the tires. While traditional dressings split into these two categories, dressings have evolved over time and new high-quality formulas incorporate various ingredients to achieve a desired level of sheen and durability while reducing browning or sling.

Wheel & Tire Care: How Often?

• We recommend giving your wheels a basic wash with automotive shampoo, water, and a dedicated wheel mitt and or wheel brush every time you clean your vehicle, typically every 1 to 3 weeks. This prevents brake dust and grime from baking into to the surface. A more thorough cleaning, along with adding or refreshing your wheel protection, should be done every 2 to 3 months to keep them looking their best and to make routine maintenance easier. If you are using a wheel coating, just note that you can add a topper during this time frame to keep the coating lasting as long as possible. Check the durability of your coating and look to reapply after it wears off (generally 1+ years).
• Tires can be dressed after each wash when using a traditional dressing (1 to 3 weeks), but when using a coating it is important to check the durability of the item used (generally 6 months to 1+ years). Like wheel coatings, you can use a topper or tire dressing after washings to add gloss and protect the coating layer, but once the tire coating wears away a new layer can be applied. If your tires are in need of a deeper cleaning
  (i.e. looks dirty, brown, or feel greasy after washing), use a tire specific cleaner or degreaser with a tire brush to remove remaining contamination and strip any old tire dressing. This gives you a clean surface so the dressing can more readily absorb into the surface, increasing the longevity of your protection and reducing the chance the dressing slings onto the paint when you drive.

Grab Your Gear

• Wheel and Tire Cleaner
• Wheel and Tire Protection
• Wheel or Tire Brushes
• Wash Mitt

How do You Care for Your Wheels & Tires?

Wheel Care

Basic Maintenance – The simplest way to keep clean wheels is with an automotive shampoo, water, and a dedicated wheel mitt. This method works for all wheel types, especially when maintained regularly and protected with a sealant or coating.

When You Need a Wheel Cleaner – Soap and water may not be enough for baked on brake dust. In that case, use a pH balanced wheel cleaner. Avoid acidic cleaners unless you have factory clear coated wheels Some polished metals, bare metals, painted wheels, etc. may be harmed if the cleaner is too strong. Spray the wheel cleaner just on the face of the wheel avoiding brake pads and typically you let it dwell for 1 to 3 minutes in the shade. Rinse thoroughly and go back to spot clean leftover stains with cleaner and a soft microfiber or wheel safe brush.

Brushes & Tools – Use brushes with soft bristles or natural fibers to avoid adding micro-scratches to the surface for added cleaning power and to access tight spaces. Clean the inner barrels first, since pulling the brush outward can move contaminants onto the wheel face. If the inner barrel is protected, soap and water usually do the job. If not, use a wheel cleaner for deeper cleaning and avoid spraying the brakes.

Polishing – Polishing can remove deeply embedded build ups, minor surface imperfections and oxidation so your wheel looks thier best. Clear coated wheels can be polished, while painted wheels, bare metals, polished wheels, aftermarket wheels, etc. may not be so consult the manufacturer if you are not sure.

• Thoroughly clean and clay the wheel surface if needed.
• Add a small drop of metal polish to a foam or microfiber applicator.
• Spread a thin layer over a small area. Always test a small, hidden area first, inspect results before doing more.
• Work the polish gently, increasing pressure as needed.
• Continue until the surface looks great or the polish is thining out and no longer helping.
• Wipe clean with a microfiber towel, no waiting is needed.
• Repeat until the entire wheel is polished.

Protecting Your Wheels – Applying some form of protection to the wheel seals the surface to help prevent contaminants from bonding directly to the wheel and they make future cleanings much easier. You can generally use any paint sealant, wax or coating, but wheel specific products handle heat better and last longer on wheels. Protecting the wheels also makes them look great too.

Tire Care

Cleaning Tires – Cleaning tires is straightforward. Start with cleaning them in your normal wash process with a dedicated mitt. For tires with lots of miles or old tires dressing built up on them you’ll need to use a tire specific cleaner or degreaser with a strong bristle brush.

• Spray the tire cleaner generously onto the tire surface.
• Let it sit for 1 to 2 minutes in the shade so it can loosen the contamination.
• Scrub the tire with a firm tire brush and rinse off. Repeat until the suds are white and the rubber looks clean. Multiple passes is normal.

Applying Tire Dressing – Put a small amount of dressing onto an applicator pad and work it evenly into the face of the tire only. Use as little product as possible to prevent sling and multiple thin coats are always better than one thick coat. For full, even coverage, roll the car forward or backward slightly so you can apply dressing to the part of the tire that was previously touching the ground.

Pro Tips

• Keeping a layer of protection on your wheels and tires will keep brake dust and contamination from sticking to the surface, making future cleanings significantly easier
• During a full detail clean the tires and wheels before the paint.
• Never work on wheels that are hot or have been recently driven. Always work in the shade.
• To dry wheels use a blower on the lug nuts and other tight spaces, follow up with a clean microfiber towel.
• Spray wheel cleaners more perpendicular to the wheel so it hits the face of the wheel and avoids the brakes
• Acidic based wheel cleaners can easily oxidize and ruin high polished surfaces
• Properly prepping your tires prior to applying a dressing can increase durability and prevent tire dressing sling
• Always apply your tire dressing in thin, even coats
• Wheel coatings offer incredible protection and can also be used on some metal trim, bumpers, exhaust tips, etc.
• Drive your vehicle a few feet forward after applying the first coat of dressing so you can get an even application on the part of the tire that was closest to the ground

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