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Get results like a pro with the best wheel deep-clean and decon

Most details start with a spot of wheel cleaning, but many don’t realise just how important this stage is. Effective wheel is crucial for safety reasons. Persistent contaminants like brake dust and road salt, if neglected, can corrode surface finishes and penetrate the metal, eventually jeopardizing the structure itself. So, while filthy, contaminated wheels don’t look very appealing in terms of having a nice, clean car, there’s actually more to it than that.

So, let’s take a look at the best way to deep-clean and periodically decontaminate your wheels in five super-simple steps, and the best detailing products to use along the way…

1. Assess Your Wheel Finish

First, you’ll need to consider your specific wheels. The vast majority of standard and aftermarket wheels are finished in paint, powdercoat or lacquer and for these the following cleaning process is extremely safe and effective. For some specialist finishes - such as particularly sensitive chrome plated, bare metal, gloss black painted and anodised wheels you may need to adapt the products accessories you use just to ensure you’re getting the safest cleaning. If in doubt, surface safe products like Revolution Wheel Soap and our Microfibre Wheel Brush are the ideal products for deep cleaning in the safest possible way... because that's exactly what they're designed for.

2. Deep-cleaning & Decontamination

For wheels in need of the deepest clean, consider a monthly decontamination using Iron Out Contaminant Remover. This product chemically dissolves embedded metal particles, these tiny pieces of metal shrapnel are usually derived from brake dust and they bore into surfaces, eventually causing corrosion and even structural problems. For the safest removal we use Iron Out to dissolve them into its own solution, so they can be rinsed away safely. You don’t have to do this every time you clean your wheels of course, but periodic decontamination is extremely beneficial for keeping them in tip top condition.

First give your wheels and tyres a full rinse down. This will remove the loose grime and let the Iron Out get to work on where it’s most needed – on the embedded metal.

Now, when we decontaminate paintwork, we do it after the wash on paint that’s as clean as it can be. On wheels however you can use Iron Out first. This powerful fallout remover isn’t specifically designed as a wheel cleaner, but it does contain a whole load of degreasing and cleaning agents. This means that Iron Out will also break down and safely remove other kinds of harmful contamination like road salt and heavy grime. In other words, you’re getting metal decontamination and a kind of pre-wash in one go.

Apply your Iron Out all over, making sure you target any awkward recesses. Then leave it to react. You’ll see the reaction with any metal present take place as the solution turns blood red. Then it’s time to rinse away the contaminants.

3. Pre-Wash with Imperial Wheel Cleaner

If you’re skipping the deep-cleaning decon and starting from here this stage is great for removing the harsher, large particle grime before you agitate your cleaners into the wheel. Think of it as like a pre-wash for your paintwork, only on your wheels. The idea of course is to rid the most harmful grime to cut the risk of dragging gritty particles over potentially sensitive finishes. Once again, give a wheel a rinse first to make sure your cleaning agent is getting to work where it’s most needed.

Now we can apply a liberal helping of Imperial Wheel Cleaner all over the wheel and into the barrels. This acid free cleaning agent works by using special surfactants and water to break down and lift grime. It then encapsulates heavy particles in the solution to allow them to be rinsed away without abrading the surface underneath. Leave you Imperial to dwell for a few minutes to get to work on the bonded grime, and then rinse thoroughly.

4. Brushing-In with Revolution Wheel Shampoo

To get the best from your wheel cleaning products agitation is key. Here we’re not agitating to physically scrub surfaces, it’s more to ensure that your cleaners get to every part of the wheel, and that they’re refreshed on the more stubborn grime when needed. After reapplying Imperial Wheel Cleaner liberally, we can brush-in the product using a little Revolution Wheel Soap for extra cleaning power and as a lubricant. Just a couple of capfuls in a Detailing Bucket is all you need for a whole load of deep-cleaning suds.

We’re looking to agitate over every part of the wheel, all the time using appropriate wash media for the wheel finish. Here we start with a scratch-free Barrel Brush to agitate into the inner wheel barrels, before using a soft Detailing Brush to tackle awkward areas, such as the wheel lips and nut recesses. Finally, we take an Ultra Plush Wheel Mitt to finish up the faces and behind the spokes.

5. Rinse and Dry

Now you can safely rinse away the soapy residue, which will be encapsulating any all the grime. Be thorough, and don’t forget that tyre and inner arch, too. Once you’ve completed one wheel, you can move onto the next until all your wheels are spotless. Then you can start the rest of your maintenance detail, beginning with a proper pre-wash.

After you’ve finished the rest of your car wash and dried your car, don’t forget to dry your wheels, too. This is simply to prevent the watermarks you’ll get when your rinse water is allowed to dry naturally (don’t forget that tap water isn’t pure, it contains all sorts of mineral impurities that will be deposited over your car if you fail to dry surfaces thoroughly).

The best way to dry intricate wheels is with an soft, super-absorbent, deep-pile microfibre towel, such as our Ultra Plush Microfibre.

The Results

With these simple steps completed, your wheels will once again be pristine and ready for the road. Repeat the process for the remaining three wheels and, voilà, you’re ready to go.

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