Wheel Cleaning

[ArmyW4]

Does anyone have suggestions/tricks/magic for cleaning the inside of the wheels without taking them off the car?

 

[FSUZ33]

Water + cleaner + thin rag = clean wheel barrel + bloody knuckles

I've tried different brushes and tricks (toothbrush for cleaning the fiddly bits of the brake calipers), but haven't found a more effective way than a piece of an old t-shirt and my hand. You can get skinny brushes, but you miss spots and it doesn't get areas clean like wiping it with a rag. And I refuse to stick some foam thing attached to a drill in there.

 

[Nismo-Otown]

There’s really no easy way to clean the wheels. Dish detergent works well, though. I’ve had my Nismo for a little over 1.5 years, and I absolutely hate the brake dust. The best way is to take the wheels off and clean them thoroughly. After that, apply a spray wax—it usually lasts about three months. The brake dust doesn’t stick as much, and the wheels are much easier to clean afterward.

 

[CPerdomo]

Is there a spray product that would get rid of the dust while using the power washer?

 

[trackratZ]

If you clean them often, not let dust cake in, I’ve used Simple Green, bio safe and works well after letting it sit for a min or two. Some light brushing may be needed before hosing off.

 

[haohmaru]

@Nismo-Otown is correct, use dish detergent and a barrel brush. Wheel cleaners are a waste of money, they always leave something behind and the wheel needs a wipe down anyway.

If you can spring for it, getting your wheels ceramic coated will make this much easier.

Also, if you have a free afternoon, coating your tires with Dura Dressing will make them look shiny all year. A pain to do, but 100% worth it if done correctly.

 

[TexasZee]

This did the job for me -
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S2FQ9D7?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_16

 

[Tranzor Z]

Who TF cleans the inside of their wheels?

 

[haohmaru]

Who TF cleans the inside of their wheels?

@Tranzor Z wheel barrels

 

[Wangan_Z]

I clean my wheels and barrels with just Meguiars Ultimate Wash and Wax when I wash my car. These brushes are great for the barrels:

https://a.co/d/09WH28ll

The bristles are soft, but stiff enough to get the dust and grime without scratching the finish, even on powder coated wheels. I just purchased a replacement brush after getting over 5 years of continuous use from my original one.

 

[trackratZ]

Who TF cleans the inside of their wheels?

Only when you sell the car, to remove all the wheel bearing grease caked in and the rubber chunks from track days!

 

[Who.Am.Eye.2716]

I use Adams Wheel and Tire cleaner with a Microfiber wheel whoolie for the barrel. Doing it this way, you dont have to take off the wheel.

My process on cleaning wheels.
I put 8:1 Adams in a spray bottle and pour to your desired amount in a bucket of water. With a Microfiber finger mitt, detail brush, wheel whoolie, and a tire brush soaking in the bucket, I spray the wheel cleaner on the wheel face, barrel, and tire for the prewash stage. While the foam is dripping, I start with the detail brush for the corners of the spokes, lugnut holes, and caliper face. The mitt for the face and inside the spokes. Wheel whoolie for the barrels and tire brush for the tires. I then rinse off the wheel and tire removing all the soap. With the wheel still wet, I use 5 sprays of Gyeon WetCoat and spray the spokes and barrel and rinse off immediately. A little goes a long way. WetCoat helps keep the brake dust to a minimum, and easy to clean on the next wash.