Maintaining clean wheels can be quite the ongoing challenge, given their tendency to accumulate a significant amount of road grime, tar, and abrasive brake dust. While it might be tempting to resort to a potent wheel cleaner for a quick fix, using strong chemicals can gradually deteriorate the wheel surface over time. Prolonged exposure during cleaning sessions can compromise the lacquer, leading to eventual peeling and necessitating costly wheel refurbishment.
The secret to preserving wheels in excellent condition lies in regular cleaning to avoid the necessity of harsh cleaners. Opting for a pH-balanced wheel cleaner is ideal, although it may require some manual effort to remove stubborn contaminants that have baked onto the wheel surface. Cleaners slightly leaning towards alkaline or acidic properties tend to tackle these problem areas more effectively. Certain wheel cleaners also feature a color-changing mechanism to indicate their effectiveness. In cases of noticeable contamination, especially after extended drives with heavy brake usage, employing an Iron Contamination or Fallout Remover might become necessary. Most wheel cleaners will already include this.
It's crucial never to clean wheels when they're still hot! Ensuring that wheels are cool to the touch before starting the cleaning process is of utmost importance. Spraying wheel cleaner onto a hot wheel will cause it to evaporate quickly. Worse yet, if the cleaner has an alkaline or acidic base, the chemical reaction with the wheel's heat could result in permanent etching of the lacquer.
Required Equipment:
- Wheel cleaner in a bottle with a trigger spray nozzle
- Soft wheel brush or microfiber wash mitt
- Soft drying towel
Cleaning Method:
- Confirm Wheels are Cool: Ensure the wheels are cool to the touch before proceeding.
- Apply Wheel Cleaner: Spray the wheel cleaner onto the wheel's surface.
- Agitate and Clean: Using a wash mitt or a soft wheel brush for. Work the cleaner into areas where brake dust and grime tend to accumulate, such as corners, inner and outer edges where spokes meet.
- Thoroughly Rinse: Rinse the wheel thoroughly with cool water using a hose or pressure washer until all cleaner residue is washed away.
- Dry Carefully: Use a soft, clean drying towel to dry the wheel, being mindful not to let the cloth touch the ground to avoid picking up grit that could scratch the wheel during drying.
An easy way to further protect you your wheels would be with a semi permanent ceramic coating. A guide on the benefits can be seen below
Wheel coating & the benefits
