Here is my latest installment for Why Didn't I think Of That. I will be changing the title to this post in a few weeks to "The Ultimate Wheel Care Guide".

Editor's Note: I feel like the most of the car care industry has wheel care all wrong. They produce a rather strong wheel acid rather than producing a wheel care system. Zymol is the exception. They have a fantastic wheel care kit. Just remember that your wheels are subject to as much abuse as your paint but in different ways so it is best to be pro-active to damage rather than reactive with chemicals. By that I mean that an ounce of protection goes a long way.

This Winter if your car is put away and you are going to methodically clean it up I suggest you take each wheel off and Detail it in your house on some newspaper in front of the TV. Without further ado Here's my Ultimate Wheel Care Guide.......

Chrome and painted lug nuts may scratch during removal and installation. Here's my guide for Safely Removing Lug Nuts:
Before you start make sure that you have the following:
Lug Nut Wrench
Thick plastic Freezer Bag
Jack
Jack Stand
Car Wash Solution
Wash Bucket
Detailing Brush
100% Cotton Towel

Step 0: Make sure that the wheels are cool to the touch.
Step 1: Wash them as you normally would
Step 2: With a Detail Brush get down and clean the recesses as best as possible.
Step 3: Wrap a heavy-duty Plastic Freezer Bag over one Lug Nut. The plastic will stretch but will not tear for metal to metal contact. When using a rag for protection ---- a rag will tear and thus damage the lug nut.
Step 4: Place the Lug Wrench over the Wrapped Lug Nut. Make sure that the Lug Nut remains covered.
Step 5: Position your body in such a way to eliminate the effect of torque on your back.
Step 6: Release the Lug Nut and give two full rotations.
Step 7: Repeat Steps 4, 5, and 6 in a 'Star Pattern'. Start with a fresh section of plastic for each lug.
Step 8: Jack up your Wheels one at a time and secure a Jack Stand in the appropriate support area.
Step 9: Remove the Lug Nuts and store in a safe place.
Step 10: Remove the Wheel.

 

Here's my guide to Detailing your wheels:
Before you start make sure you have the following:
Clay Bar
Non-Abrasive Paint Cleaner and Applicator
Wax and Applicator
MicroFiber Towel

Step 0: Make sure that the wheels are cool to the touch.
Step 1: Wash them as you normally would
Step 2: With a detail brush get down and clean the recesses as best as possible.
Step 3: Use your clay bar to clean up the surfaces.
Step 4: Use a non-abrasive paint cleanser to polish the surfaces. If you need to polish the wheels use the appropriate polishing material. Zymol's HD Cleanse, Lusso Paint Revitalizing Creme or the equivalent.
Step 5: Wax (I suggest that you apply a few coats) Your wax can be your regular car wax be that Zaino, Pinnacle, Zymol, Lusso, P21S, Mother's or Meguiar's. If you have chrome wheels DO NOT wax them as chrome needs to breathe.

 

Here's my guide for maintaining your wheels: For best results wash once a week
Before you start make sure you have the following:
Spray Bottle with Car Wash Solution diluted 35:1 with water
Wheel Detailing Brush
2x 100% Cotton Towel (Hand Towel Size)
Garden Hose

Step 1: Make sure wheels are cool to the touch
Step 2: Spray off as much brake dust as possible
Step 3: Spray on diluted Car Wash Solution
Step 4: With one Cotton Towel wash the Wheel
Step 5: Hose off
Step 6: Spray on diluted Car Wash Solution
Step 7: With the Wheel Detailing Brush clean the recesses
Step 8: Hose off
Note: Wash all 4 wheels, then wash and dry your Car's body then dry off the wheels with the other Cotton Towel

 

awesome! thanks for the professional tips!

 

I think this is for clear coated factory wheels...
what about for all of us who have naked aluminum wheels ?
same procedures ?
Thanx

 

good question sammy. i wanna hear the answer to that one as well.

 

great info, thanks..

 

YW...... what kind of wheels do you have?

 

Is it safe to assume that the procedures for detailing wheels works for all types of metals that wheels are made up of, i.e. Aluminum, Cast Iron, Steel, Magnesium, Titanium, etc?

 

What tips do you have specifically for chrome rims??

I usually get them wet, dry them off, apply some turtle chrome wax and clean that off....

Also what is the best way to get rid of all the brake dust on the inside of the wheels and restore the shine on them??

Thanks in advance
FLYNLOW92rs

 

I suggest detailing them like I stated above. Clean the wheel on face so you can remove it without getting yourself dirty, take the wheel off. If you have some rather caked on dirt/brake dust you may need to go with Meguiar's Hot Wheels to free it up.... which may take a few applications (just don't make it a habit). For a less aggresive wheel cleaner you can try P21S's wheel wash. If you stay up on keeping your wheels clean those two products should only be necessary to get you out of trouble.

Just be paitient. If you get to the point of there being road tar use 3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner.

Two Cautions:

1. Be patient doing it right may take a bit of time but you. Chrome is a very hard surface but not impervious to damage.
2. If at all possibe use a non-abrasive polish for chrome.

If you are having good results with the TW one no need to change as long as it is non-abrasive.

 

Yes!!!