Wheel Cleaning Tips and Information

Anytime that you are in your car, you may not be using the air conditioner, you may not be using the heated seats, you may not even be using the defrost. However, you are constantly using your tires. Anytime that your car is in motion you are allowing chunks of road, dirt, dust, bugs and all kinds of other debris to build up inside of the treads that are suppose to keep you safely gripped onto the road. Avoiding the cleaning of your tires will not only make them look older than they really are, but they may not last as long as they could.

Not only does the dust and grime get onto your tires, brake dust can also build up over time. The only way to keep your tires and wheels safe for you and your family is to clean them quite frequently. So, here are some important tips that you should take to heart to ensure that your wheels are in tip-top shape.

Tip #1
It only makes sense that the first and most logical tip is to keep your wheels properly washed. Anytime that you wash your car, you need to clean your wheels and tires first. Not only will this make you remember to wash them off, but it will also let the grime and dirt splash onto the wheel hub when you first start washing your car. As you wash the rest of your vehicle, that grime and dirt will fall to the ground. It's just a good idea to get into a habit of washing your wheels. Remember to use soap and water - and if you are using a brush or a sponge, use a different bucket of water for your wheels than the bucket that you are using to clean the rest of your car.

Tip #2
Pay attention to the type of wheel that your car has installed. Aluminum or chrome wheels are able to handle a stronger wheel-cleaner solution than other types. Most of the time, a wheel cleaner will be clearly labeled to tell you exactly what type of wheel it is meant for. If you're not sure of what kind of wheels your vehicle has, your best bet is to choose a non-abrasive cleaner that is labeled to be safe for all different types of wheels.

With that said, simply using dishwashing detergent and water on your wheels might be a safe choice as long as you rinse it off quickly. However, you need to be careful about using dish detergent on the rest of your car since the harsh soap can eat through your car's coating.

Tip #3
Anytime that you wash your wheels, always wash them one tire at a time. That means go through the entire wash and rinse cycle on every individual tire before moving on to the next one. Make sure that you rinse off each wheel with a harsh and strong stream of clean water. Yes, cleaning your wheels will take you some time.

Tip #4
Never for get that your wheels need to be tried as well. If you avoid drying your wheels, they might develop calcium stains or water spots. The best way to do this is to use a microfiber cloth or a terry cloth towel. Don't use the same cloth to dry your wheels and your car. Even if you clean your wheels thoroughly, there will probably still be some grime or brake dust left on them when you dry. This grime will get onto your cloth and you don't want it to be transferred onto the surface of your car.

Always keep these simple tips in mind when it comes time to clean your tires and wheels. Don't neglect this important part of your vehicle and they will give you a longer life than you expect.