Keeping your car’s tires and wheels clean isn’t just about flaunting that fresh shine—it’s about dodging long-term damage, too. Brake dust, road grime, and dirt? Those aren’t just unsightly; they’re out here ready to wreck your wheels if you don’t handle them. Brake dust alone is basically corrosive kryptonite, gnawing at your wheel’s finish if left to its own devices.
In this guide, we’ll break down how to give your wheels and tires a pro-level clean, so they stay looking like they just rolled out of the showroom. Let’s get those wheels sparkling and ready for the road.
Prepare Your Gear
To keep your wheels and tires looking fresh—and protected from the grime gauntlet—they need a little extra love. Gathering the right products? That's your first power move. Here’s the VIP list of tools and products you’ll want to roll out for a seriously thorough clean:
- Chemical Guys Detailing Bucket
Holds water and cleaner for that essential lubrication to ward off scratches. Bonus: It’s the bucket that keeps on giving. - Two-Face Color Changing Wheel Cleaner
Meet your grime-fighting sidekick! It changes color as it dissolves brake dust and filth, showing exactly where it’s at work—superhero style. - Red Rocket Brush
Reaches into the tightest spots inside the wheel and around brakes, leaving zero dust untouched. If dirt’s hiding, the Red Rocket’s finding. - Wheel and Rim Flagged Tip Brush
With soft, scratch-free bristles, this brush easily handles bigger surface areas without risking your wheel’s finish. The gentle giant of wheel cleaners. - Total Extract Tire & Rubber Cleaner
This hardcore degreaser lifts grime and old tire dressing, setting the stage for a fresh shine. A clean slate, every time. - Boar's Hair Detailing Brush
For those tiny, tricky spots like lug nuts and emblems, this brush’s soft bristles give a scratch-free deep clean. - Big Blue Stiffy Tire Brush
With bristles tough enough for your tires, it takes scrubbing to a whole new level. Banishes dirt build-up, no mercy. - ShineLogic Tire Shine
Top off your hard work with a glossy finish that’s as protective as it is eye-catching. - ProBlow Handheld Dryer or Microfiber Towel
Dry every nook and cranny to stop water spots in their tracks.
With this lineup, you’re ready to roll—because clean wheels and tires make all the difference.
Step 1: Prepare to Wash
Pick a shady spot for your cleaning setup: Direct sunlight makes cleaners dry too quickly, which can cause streaking or reduce their effect. And if you've just come back from a drive, give your wheels a cool-down break of 30-60 minutes before jumping in. Hot wheels + cleaning products = steam & potential damage. An extra problem that no one needs.
Grab your Two-Face Wheel Cleaner and fill your detailing bucket with water. Mix it up to create a nice layer of suds—your brushes will thank you for the extra lubrication, and so will your wheels.
Take it slow and focus. Washing one wheel and tire at a time lets you give each the attention it deserves. That way, each wheel comes out spotless, with zero streaks and no overlooked spots.
Step 2: Pre-Rinse and Wet the Wheel
Start with a solid rinse to knock off loose dirt and grime. A strong stream of water clears away the big stuff, which lowers the risk of scratching while scrubbing. Make sure to hit every spot—the tire, spokes, around lug nuts—so the cleaner can dive right into the stubborn grime without any interference. This sets you up for a deeper, more effective clean.
Step 3: Clean the Wheel
Spray Two-Face Color Changing Wheel Cleaner generously over the whole wheel and give it a good 1-2 minutes to do its magic. Watch as it changes color, revealing where it’s breaking down stubborn grime and brake dust.
Start with the Red Rocket Brush – Target the brake area and reach deep into the wheel barrel where brake dust loves to settle.
Switch to the Wheel and Rim Flagged Tip Brush – This one’s ideal for larger, flat areas of the wheel, and its soft bristles ensure a scratch-free clean.
Finish with the Boar's Hair Brush – Perfect for those delicate, hard-to-reach spots like lug nuts and emblems; gentle yet effective to leave no area untouched.
Let each brush do its part, and watch those wheels transform.
Step 4: Clean the Tire
Cleaning your tires ensures a fresh, natural look and prepares the surface for tire shine.
Spray Total Extract Tire & Rubber Cleaner generously on the tire surface to remove grime, oils, and old dressings.
Use the Big Blue Stiffy Brush to scrub the tire surface thoroughly. The stiff bristles help lift away tough buildup without damaging the rubber. This step ensures that any tire shine you apply later bonds properly to the surface.
As you scrub, watch for any discoloration or buildup to remove, which improves the tire’s appearance and preps it for a clean finish.
Step 5: Rinse the Wheel
Once you’re done scrubbing, give the wheel and tire a good rinse with water to wash away all the cleaner and grime. Pay special attention to the lug nuts and the inside of the wheel barrel to make sure no residue sticks around. This rinse is key to ensuring there’s no leftover cleaner that could mess with your tire shine or leave streaks on that flawless wheel finish.
Step 6: Dry the Tire & Wheel
Drying your wheels and tires is essential to prevent those pesky water spots that can sneak in and dull the shine. Water spots leave mineral deposits that don’t just look bad; they can mess with your finish over time. Use a microfiber towel or a handheld dryer to make sure every bit of water is gone, keeping your wheels looking sharp and spotless.
Drying with a Handheld Dryer
Grab your ProBlow Handheld Dryer for a fast, scratch-free dry-down—ideal for hitting those tricky spots where water loves to hide! Hold the dryer 4-6 inches from the wheel, working top-down to keep any stray drips at bay. Glide the airflow around the spokes, lug nuts, and into the inner barrel, letting the ProBlow's filtered air blast away moisture in seconds. With no need to touch the wheel, you’re safe from scratches and ready to roll with a gleaming, water-spot-free finish.
Drying with a Microfiber Towel
No ProBlow? No problem! Grab a plush Microfiber Towel and fold it into quarters for control and maximum coverage. Start at the top of the wheel, applying light pressure as you swipe downward to keep water spots and streaks away. Work around each section—the spokes, inner barrel, and lug nuts—switching to a dry side as needed to keep absorption high.
For that finishing touch, give any streaked or hazy areas a light buff. You'll end up with a flawless, spot-free shine that's ready to impress!
Step 7: Add Tire Shine
The final touch? A coat of ShineLogic RS Tire Shine for that deep, rich, showroom finish that turns heads and protects! Not only will this boost the appearance, but it also guards your tires against UV damage, dirt, and grime, preventing cracks and fading over time.
Give the can a good shake to mix the formula.
Hold the can about 6 inches from the sidewall (avoiding the tread) and apply from top to bottom for complete coverage.
Allow the product to set for 5-10 minutes—this bonding time ensures a long-lasting, dirt-resistant shine.
Check for even coverage; if any areas look dull, add a light second coat.
And there you have it—your wheels and tires looking fresh, fierce, and ready to roll.
Frequently Questions about Cleaning Tires & Wheels
Can I apply tire shine to the tread?
No, tire shine is for the sidewall only—slapping it on the tread is a one-way ticket to Slip City. Besides being dangerous, no one will even see that part of the tires.
What is brake dust, and how do I get rid of it?
Brake dust is like a messy cocktail of metal shrapnel, dirt, and brake pad glue. To kick that gunk to the curb without wrecking your wheels, grab the Two-Face Color Changing Wheel Cleaner and a soft-bristled brush—your wheels will thank you.
How often should I clean my wheels and tires?
Give your wheels some love every 2-4 weeks for that fresh-off-the-lot sparkle. If you're rolling in a high-performance ride or a daily driver, you might wanna step up the cleaning game to keep that gunk from crashing the party!
Why is it important to dry the wheels?
Besides leaving water spots on your wheels, if you leave them wet, you're inviting mineral deposits to dull that shiny finish. So, dry your wheels and keep them looking fresh.
Does tire shine help prevent cracking?
Yup! Tire shine is like sunscreen for your wheels, keeping those UV rays at bay and preventing cracks from showing up uninvited.
What if my wheel cleaner dries before I finish scrubbing?
Just add a splash of cleaner or water to bring the product back to life and keep scrubbing away.
Can I use dish soap to clean my wheels?
Dish soap is a no-go for your wheels; it’s like sending a bull into a china shop! Stick to a car soap made for wheels to keep that protective finish intact.
