How to Properly Clean Car Tires

Proper maintenance of your vehicle's tires depends upon a regular cleaning regimen. Here's how to clean tires using a uncomplicated, inexpensive process.

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Introduction

At the point where the rubber meets the road, your vehicles' wheels and tires grab a lot of dirt and grime — not to mention collecting layers of brake-pad dust and fine shavings from the rotors. Of these, road salt and brake dust represent particularly caustic threats that tin can pit your wheels and steal life from your tires.

Both tire manufacturers and installers recommend cleaning your tires and wheels at least every other calendar week to continue them looking great and performing their best.

Ecology Tip: You may exist tempted to make clean your automobile in the driveway, and nosotros can't argue the convenience and time savings associated with that. Withal, car washes are legally required to collect gray h2o from their washing trophy, recycling the water and disposing of the cleaning agents in the proper way. We recommend working in that location whenever possible.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Baking soda (for whitewalls only)
  • Dish lather or balmy degreaser
  • Warm water
  • Bicycle cleaner (optional)
  • Wheel wax (optional)

Project step-by-pace (6)

Pace 1

Prep for the Job

  • Gather all your equipment and materials before starting the job.
  • For the best results when cleaning tires and wheels, work each one through the entire process before moving to the next.
  • Higher up all, make sure your tires and wheels have cooled before washing them and/or applying whatever cleaning products.
  • Dedicate a specific cleaning rag and drying towel to this chore. As previously mentioned, tires choice upwardly a lot of dirt and grit from the road likewise as collecting caustic brake dust. Go along these contaminants away from the other surfaces of your vehicle.

Tire cleaning supplies

Step 2

Start With a Rinse

  • Rinse off as much loose grime as possible using a spray nozzle or pressure washer.
  • Work the water from several angles and try to remove as much from the interior of the rim equally possible.
  • Keep the tire wet as y'all clean information technology because the moisture provides lubrication and prevents scratching.
    • Pro Tip: For a deep cleaning or for extremely dirty rims, you may choose to remove the wheel for cleaning. If you lot do, piece of work from the back of the tire to the front so that rinsing the back doesn't re-soil the front end.

Cleaning tires

Step iii

Wash the Tire

  • Starting with the tire prevents tire grime from running down over a cleaned bicycle confront.
  • Scrub the surface of the tire with warm water, a balmy detergent and a medium- to soft-bristled brush.
  • Allow the detergent to sit on the tire for a few minutes to soften the grime, then rinse.
  • Repeat scrubbing and rinsing every bit necessary, being conscientious to not allow the tire to dry during this function of the process.
  • E'er finish by rinsing out the castor.

Cleaning tires

Step 4

Wash the Bike

  • Wet the surface of the wheel.
  • Utilise the brush to scrub with warm, soapy water.
  • Employ any additional brushes to become into tough spots.
  • Echo wash/rinse every bit necessary.
  • Thoroughly dry both the tire and the wheel with a fabric.

Cleaning tires

Pace 5

Wax Application (Optional)

  • If you apply wheel wax to your aluminum wheels, plan to do it every three to four months, which may turn your regular cleanings into a simple high-pressure rinse-and-dry out procedure.
  • Use cream or paste wax with a manus or foam pad.
    • Defer to the instructions provided on the wheel wax you cull.
  • Remove/cease with a clean cloth.

Cleaning tires

Pace 6

A Final Step for Whitewall Tires

  • Keeping your whitewalls pristine requires an aggressive cleaning routine, including weekly cleanings at minimum that finish in this process.
  • Apply a one-to-1 paste of h2o and baking soda to the whitewall, then leave it to work for several minutes.
    • Most of the products available to clean the grime from whitewalls actually shorten the life of the tire.
  • Scrub gently with a soft-bristled castor.
  • Rinse.

Baking soda

Originally Published: May 28, 2020