There's probably a thread on this, but I am having some problems with the search engine today. I am looking for techniques on washing the back side of wheels. It seems that these days the clearance between rotors and wheels is so small that trying to get a brush in there is quite difficult, and if you do get it in there scrubbing action is hard to achieve. Anyone have any special techniques for washing in this area? In between the wheel and the wheel well also on sportier cars with little clearance in this area also. Maybe this is why so many people are fond of wheel acid.
Washing behind wheels.
- Thread starter Tasty
- Start date
White95Max
New member
My technique is just to take off the wheels twice a year and thoroughly clean them. Then apply AIO and a sealant to the entire wheel. They stay pretty clean after that just by spraying water at the backsides.
This is a great product! I use it everytime I wash my truck.
Check this post out I have on MOL: http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5804
Check this post out I have on MOL: http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5804
Lowejackson
New member
I have found the only way I can clean the rear of the wheel is to remove them
imported_themightytimmah
New member
Acid cleaner + pressure washer, no contact necessary.
imported_Intel486
New member
The back side of the wheel/tire I would take the tire off.
For cleaning inside the wheel where the rotor is, then I use a bottle brush to get in there. They don't last too long through.
You can also get some skinny brushes that'll fit in there. Just make sure you check to see how soft the bristles are so they don't scratch your wheels.
For cleaning inside the wheel where the rotor is, then I use a bottle brush to get in there. They don't last too long through.
You can also get some skinny brushes that'll fit in there. Just make sure you check to see how soft the bristles are so they don't scratch your wheels.
EBPcivicsi
GOT PREP?
themightytimmah said:
Yep, agreed.
If the wheel is yours and you really want to clean it, then yes remove it. When you are getting paid to detail, removing the wheel is not practical.
imported_Jinba ittai
New member
I usually remove the wheels. If I don't remove the wheels I take a long, slender stick and wrap a thin piece of cloth (cloth diapers work well) around the stick and use this to scrub the inside of the wheel with soap and water. This works very well because on my cars the wheels are open 5 spokes and the back part of the wheel is very accessible. Cleaning them really makes a difference in their appearance.
It helps if you initially clean, polish and wax the inside of the wheels when the wheels are off the car. If you do this regularly then the dirt comes off easily when you clean with the wheels on. If you've let it go too long then the dirt and tar becomes imbedded and is hard to get off.
Cleaning the inside of the wheels is a part of my washing ritual, just like washing out the wheelwells. It helps that I swap wheels and tires and/or rotate them fairly frequently so the wheels are off the car a lot. :2thumbs:
It helps if you initially clean, polish and wax the inside of the wheels when the wheels are off the car. If you do this regularly then the dirt comes off easily when you clean with the wheels on. If you've let it go too long then the dirt and tar becomes imbedded and is hard to get off.
Cleaning the inside of the wheels is a part of my washing ritual, just like washing out the wheelwells. It helps that I swap wheels and tires and/or rotate them fairly frequently so the wheels are off the car a lot. :2thumbs:
tom p.
Active member
I lift up one corner of the car at a time and just reach in there - - no big deal and you can do a pretty decent job. Now, if the wheels are seriously funky, you're going to remove them.
Accumulator
Well-known member
If you have "BBS style" wheels or others with no real access you gotta take them off. But on our vehicles with 5-6-etc. spokes I can clean them fine without dismounting. I usually jack the cars up, but that's to clean the wheelwells and suspension, not the wheels.
The Meg's brush, the EZ Motorcycle brush from TOL or something similar will work fine on my "regular cars". On the S8 I use either a big swab (Griot's and Meg's both sell them) or I stick a MF in there, wrapped on a stick. On really wide wheels I affix the swab to a longer stick. I can clean the whole back side, even the back of the spokes, if I take a little time. Sometimes I will have to move the car forward or back to get the spot between the caliper and the wheel though, depends on how tight the fit is.
When I *do* dismount the wheels, the backs are usually quite clean, even though I just clean them with carwash solution. I only have to redo them in a big way once a year or so.
The Meg's brush, the EZ Motorcycle brush from TOL or something similar will work fine on my "regular cars". On the S8 I use either a big swab (Griot's and Meg's both sell them) or I stick a MF in there, wrapped on a stick. On really wide wheels I affix the swab to a longer stick. I can clean the whole back side, even the back of the spokes, if I take a little time. Sometimes I will have to move the car forward or back to get the spot between the caliper and the wheel though, depends on how tight the fit is.
When I *do* dismount the wheels, the backs are usually quite clean, even though I just clean them with carwash solution. I only have to redo them in a big way once a year or so.