As most of us became stuck at home during this pandemic, our cars must have been collecting dust in the garage or have piled on more than a little grime after several trips to the grocery store. Unfortunately, not everyone lives near a professional car wash, so it becomes the responsibility of the “unlucky” ones to face the dirt and get to cleaning their vehicles, especially their vehicles’ wheels & tires.
Proper cleaning and maintenance of wheels & tires are necessary so your vehicles are always ready to get you where you need to go. Here are steps to help you properly clean those wheels & tires! First-time car washers need not worry. All you need is warm water, a bucket, a soft-bristled brush, some clean & dry towels, and dishwashing soap.
1. Prepare for cleaning!
Gather and prepare all that you’ll need for the cleaning job. For best results when cleaning wheels and tires (regardless of their size, 185R14C or not), work each wheel and tire through the entire cleaning process before moving to the next one.
Above all, make sure your wheels and tires have cooled down before washing them or applying any cleaning products. Dedicate specific cleaning rags and drying towels for your wheels and tires, and use a separate bucket for them as well. Make sure to keep one bucket with sponges for washing your vehicle and another for the wheels and tires. Dust and grime can create small scratches in the paint, so it’s important to keep the bucket, sponges, and towels you use on your wheels and tires away from those you use on your vehicle’s body.
2. Rinse it off.
Rinse off loose dirt and grime using a spray hose, pressure washer, or bucket & pail. Pour out the water from different angles to try to rinse off as much dirt from the rim’s interior as possible. Keep the tire wet while cleaning because moisture provides lubrication and prevents scratching. For professional-level cleaners, you may choose to remove the wheel for cleaning.
3. Tire wash time!
Cleaning the tire first prevents dirt and grime from running down over a less dirty wheel face. So, first, scrub the tire’s surface with warm water & dishwashing soap (one teaspoon of soap to a bucket of water will do) and a medium to soft-bristled brush.
Next, allow the diluted soap mixture to sit on the tire for a few minutes to soften the dirt and grime, then rinse. Repeat scrubbing and rinsing as necessary, being careful not to allow the tire to dry during this part of the cleaning process. Always rinse the brush before moving on to the next part to clean.
4. Mind the wheel.
First, wet the wheel’s surface. Then, use a freshly-rinsed brush to scrub with warm, soapy water. You may use any other brushes you may have to clean tough or hard-to-reach spots. Repeat the scrub-washing and rinsing as necessary. Finally, dry both the tire and the wheel carefully with a cloth.
Cleaning or washing your vehicle after the wheels & tires give you a chance to clean off any tire or wheel cleaner you accidentally splashed onto your vehicle’s paint job. Also, remember that most installers and manufacturers recommend cleaning wheels & tires at least every other week to keep them in tiptop shape.