So we all agree, this task is a major P.I.T.A.!!!! But a lot of prep will make this job easier in the long run. I pull the wheels, after a thorough clean, rinse and dry, I'll polish the barrel of the rim --- as Accumulator said, be VERY careful as the paint and or finish can be quite thin and/or irregular and you can go through it in a flash!
Sealants are the best for this job (IMO), and my favorite is Rejex. This product is great, but to make it work for you in the future, it will require several coats with no less than 12 hours between each coat. I do 3 to 4 coats before remounting the wheels.
To clean them, I only need to use the wash-bucket water after I've cleaned the car. In some instances I've only used a blast of air off the compressor.
Hope this helps.
