How To Take Care of Your Tires and Wheels Like an Expert

Your vehicle’s tires and wheels are constantly under stress from road obstacles, dirt, mud, salt, sand, and many, many other things that can cause immediate damage or damage over time. To make matters worse, your tires and wheels are often the most neglected parts of your vehicle. Even car enthusiasts who wash their vehicle regularly tend to ignore or improperly take care of their tires and wheels. 

Your vehicle’s tires and wheels might just be the most important safety related parts of your vehicle so they deserve being taken care of correctly and on a regular basis.

Why Should I Clean the Wheels on My Vehicle?

The most important answer is to eliminate dirt build-up. Your wheels are most likely the dirtiest part of your automobile. Keeping them clean not only makes your vehicle look good, they also enhance your vehicle’s performance. Continued build-up of dirt and grime on your wheels can affect the acceleration of your wheels which can affect your vehicle’s speed.

Keeping your wheels clean will also eliminate brake dust. Brakes dust is created every time you put your foot on the brake pedal. Brake dust is a combination of adhesives and carbon fibers from your brake pads. It might also contain metal shavings from the constant grinding of your brake pads against the brake rotor. To keep your wheels from deteriorating, it is imperative that you regularly clean the brake dust from your wheels.

Dirt or other particles that accumulate on your wheels can also be released into your vehicle’s body. This could harm your vehicle’s exterior finish.

Expert Techniques to Clean Your Wheels and Tires

Step One

Start the cleaning process by using a high pressure washer or spray nozzle from your water hose to remove and loosen dirt, mud and other debris from your tires and wheels.

Step Two

Use a soft rag or wash mitt to clean your tires and wheels. For tires, it’s recommended to use a high-quality tire cleaner instead of a standard soapy substance. Standard cleaners are not made to remove deeply ingrained dirt.

Step Three

Next, apply the tire cleaner and let it sit on your tire for a while. Using a stiff brush, scrub the tires making sure you do not scratch your wheel surfaces as you do this.

Step Four

Next step is cleaning your wheels. Apply a wheel cleaner to your vehicle’s wheels one at a time. Using a soft bristle brush, remove any dirt and grime that may be stuck on your wheels. Be sure to reach all the nooks and corners of your wheel. 

Step Five

Now, rinse your tires and wheels and use a soft microfiber like towel to dry them off.

Polish Your Wheels

To bring out the luster of your wheels, add polish to them before waxing them. Apply the polish in small parts using a clean rag. Apply the polish along the grain of the wheel and work your way over and around the lug nuts.

Apply a Wax Seal

Lastly, apply a wax sealant to your wheels. Using a clean cloth, rub the wax onto the wheel’s surface. Wheel wax not only provides your vehicle with a showroom look, it will also protect your wheels from brake dust and other harmful substances that might come in contact with your wheels.

Contact Us

Postle Tire Barn specializes in tire and wheel services. We are a locally owned, family operated tire and automotive repair facility located in Tuscaloosa, AL. We’ve served the Tuscaloosa and West Alabama area for more than 35 years. We are fully licensed and insured and look forward to becoming your tire and automotive repair shop of choice. Take Care of Your Tires and Wheels Take Care of Your Tires and Wheels Take Care of Your Tires and Wheels Take Care of Your Tires and Wheels