Best wheel cleaner solution and method

[AZ_Ryan]

I bought bristled brushes supposedly safe for painted wheels. I cleaned my wife’s car wheels which were black. Noticed micro scratches from the brush. I then thought, would I wash my car with a bristle brush? Maybe I got cheap ones, but I’m wary of anything other than a sponge or micro fiber towel touching our cars.

BTW: I recently discovered these large microfiber towels. They are amazing! So absorbent that if you just set the towel on your wet hood, you instantly have a dry square spot. I have stacks of these now. Super soft.

Seen these marketed as Shiny Wipes on IG for $40. Went to amazon, and there they were for $10…lol.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C2QHN2JH/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=A3IGSQF5MATYNN&th=1

Also check these out…they are on sale now. I have ordered these like 4 times and they are even fluffier and softer than the first link. I think these are my favorites.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BL2BF31F?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3&th=1

Never use a bristled brush on painted wheels.

Use a soft, bendable, micro fiber brush.

And ceramic coating your wheels is a must. All that brake dust just rinses away with a little soap and water.

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[Starship Enterprise]

Makes sense. I didn’t know they made microfiber wheel brushes.

My car has yet to see water.…lol. With a quick spray wax mist and wiping off with micro fiber towel, I spend about 2 minutes per wheel.

Only bummer is not being able to wipe the inner part of my wheels. The 20” wheel design is pretty tight. Can’t see it well anyway.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Makes sense. I didn’t know they made microfiber wheel brushes.

My car has yet to see water.…lol. With a quick spray wax mist and wiping off with micro fiber towel, I spend about 2 minutes per wheel.

Only bummer is not being able to wipe the inner part of my wheels. The 20” wheel design is pretty tight. Can’t see it well anyway.

The brushes arent actual micro fiber, but they are soft, non abrasive.

Great looking car with those wheels btw.

 

[Junkyard Dog]

Wheel Barrel

You guys are talking about washing the inside of the wheel, way back behind the face?

 

[Pierre]

I've been using Adam's Polishes Wheel & Tire Cleaner, but not satisfied. I am following their instructions of 1) water the wheel, 2) apply the cleaner, 3) scrub, and 4 ) wash and do not dry. It barely makes a difference on my black Nite Pony wheels.

What are you guys using and doing?

I never use any wheel cleaner, I find just car wash soap works perfectly well. Some of those wheel cleaners are very harsh and in turn could affect wheel finish. Keep them clean all the time and then coat with your favorite spray wax and no issues. Just what I do.

 

[LouG]

Makes sense. I didn’t know they made microfiber wheel brushes.

My car has yet to see water.…lol. With a quick spray wax mist and wiping off with micro fiber towel, I spend about 2 minutes per wheel.

Only bummer is not being able to wipe the inner part of my wheels. The 20” wheel design is pretty tight. Can’t see it well anyway.

This might sound obsessive/compulsive, but I've just taken the wheels off to clean inside and clean the calipers etc.
I feel much better now.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

This might sound obsessive/compulsive, but I've just taken the wheels off to clean inside and clean the calipers etc.
I feel much better now.

Not OCD. I had my wheels cleaned and ceramic coated off the car. It's the only way to do it right.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

The brushes arent actual micro fiber, but they are soft, non abrasive.

Great looking car with those wheels btw.

Thanks! Those are the EXACT set of brushes I have. They scratched the clearcoat on black painted wheels on my wife’s car. Real fine scratches, but being that the wheels are black, they showed up visibly. Sure they feel soft to the touch, but they are still bristles.

I then thought, would I want to run those across my hood? Hell no. So why would I want to scrub wheels with them?

So I cut a car sponge in half to reduce it’s thickness and run it inside the wheel, and outside, and then rinse and dry with one of those awesome micro fiber towels I linked earlier here. But that’s on a Nautilus…those wheels I can get through.

 

[LouG]

Not OCD. I had my wheels cleaned and ceramic coated off the car. It's the only way to do it right.

I bow to your wheelie impressive superiority. I am but an amateur.
What ceramic, pro or retail?

 

[LouG]

Thanks! Those are the EXACT set of brushes I have. They scratched the clearcoat on black painted wheels on my wife’s car. Real fine scratches, but being that the wheels are black, they showed up visibly. Sure they feel soft to the touch, but they are still bristles.

I then thought, would I want to run those across my hood? Hell no. So why would I want to scrub wheels with them?

So I cut a car sponge in half to reduce it’s thickness and run it inside the wheel, and outside, and then rinse and dry with one of those awesome micro fiber towels I linked earlier here. But that’s on a Nautilus…those wheels I can get through.

I can't even get my wheel brush between the rim and caliper. I refuse to jack the car up every time I wash it. Lines must be drawn.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

Lol…I decided I’m not bothering trying to get to the inside of the wheels.

 

[Junkyard Dog]

I can't even get my wheel brush between the rim and caliper. I refuse to jack the car up every time I wash it. Lines must be drawn.

Here is how to get around that problem of the lack of clearance at the brake rotor. To clean the inside of the wheels, place the car on jack stands, so that the rear wheels are not touching the ground. I lie under the car, and put my soapy, soaked sponge on the inside of the rim in an area with lots of room, right at the bottom. Then I hold it there with some gentle pressure while my young son revs the engine in drive to spin the rear wheels. By the time he gets to fourth or fifth gear at 7000 rpm, the wheel is usually pretty clean, so I yell for him to stop. He can't hear me over the exhaust, so I have to scoot out and stand up and walk over to the open door, "Stop!" Then we do the other wheel.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

 

[LouG]

Here is how to get around that problem of the lack of clearance at the brake rotor. To clean the inside of the wheels, place the car on jack stands, so that the rear wheels are not touching the ground. I lie under the car, and put my soapy, soaked sponge on the inside of the rim in an area with lots of room, right at the bottom. Then I hold it there with some gentle pressure while my young son revs the engine in drive to spin the rear wheels. By the time he gets to fourth or fifth gear at 7000 rpm, the wheel is usually pretty clean, so I yell for him to stop. He can't hear me over the exhaust, so I have to scoot out and stand up and walk over to the open door, "Stop!" Then we do the other wheel.

Good one! You nearly got me there. Does he spin the front wheels by hand up to 1500 or so rpm?

 

[Junkyard Dog]

I was hoping it would get somebody! My son is 8, and I am sure he would love that.

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