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Clean wheels are like a clean pair of shoes. The way clean shoes finish off a well-tailored suit, clean wheels finish off a clean, detailed car. Let’s take a look at wheels and how to properly clean them so the shoes of your car make your car and you look your best!
Like your car’s paint finish, allowing a heavy accumulation of grime and soot to remain on your wheel finish will cause the wheels to lose their luster over time. The number one enemy to the finish of any wheel type is brake dust and road grime. Brake dust remains harmless until it begins to absorb moisture from the air becoming acidic. As the brake dust is allowed to remain on the wheel finish, it begins to etch away at the surface. Brake dust comes from the brake pads of your car but also the brakes of other cars. Brake dust is the number one pollutant on today’s roads and highways.
Wheel manufacturers discourage the use of aggressive wheel cleaners that can be either too acidic or too alkaline (very strong soap detergents) because they dull the finish. einszett formulated Wheel Cleaner as a safe cleaner designed to gently yet effectively remove brake dust and road grime without harming the finish. It’s close to pH neutral so it won’t discolor or wear away the finish over time. It has just enough cleaning power to remove the brake dust and road grime but gentle enough to keep the finish looking new and maintaining its luster.
How To Clean
einszett Wheel Cleaner is safe enough to be used on all wheel types including alloy, aluminum, chrome, and faux wheel covers made of plastic.
As with application of any cleaning product, it’s important to clean wheels under the correct condition. Before cleaning your wheels, be sure to follow product directions carefully. Be sure wheels are cool to the touch and out of direct sunlight before spraying. Hot wheels or direct sunlight can affect the gentle Wheel Cleaner formula and make it more aggressive on the wheel finish.
First, use a dedicated wash mitt for your wheels. Do not use the same wash mitt you use for your car’s paint finish because the road grime found on the wheels that are grabbed by the wash mitt can scratch your car’s paint finish. Also use a separate washing solution for best results.
Next, rinse your wheels to remove any loose grime and brake dust. Follow up by spraying the wheel with einszett Wheel Cleaner and leave on for no more than a few minutes (or as suggested on the directions). If there is a lot of grime and brake dust buildup, agitate surface with a soft cotton towel or boar’s hair wheel brush. The brush will allow you to get within the crevices including difficult to wash areas such as the lug nuts. Do not use synthetic brushes which are guaranteed to scratch the finish. Rinse wheel thoroughly with water.
After rinsing, dry wheel with a soft cloth or chamois. Repeat the process with each wheel.
Polishing and Waxing Wheels
If your wheels have a clear coat finish on them, they can be polished and waxed like your car’s paint finish. This will maintain their luster and protect them from the harsh elements on the road.
Apply at least twice a year an application of einszett PolishWax to clean, condition and add depth to the wheel finish. Apply with a soft microfiber cloth or foam applicator pad. The same instructions that are used to apply PolishWax to your car’s paint finish apply to application on your wheel. After polishing, apply a coat of einszett Glanz Wax for maximum protection. Glanz Wax is a synthetic based car wax with the addition of carnauba wax. This provides exceptional protection compared to traditional carnauba waxes to withstand the harsh effects of brake dust, road grime, road salt and multiple washes.
Summary
Wheel Cleaning is not difficult. It’s more about choosing the right product and using the right methods for cleaning. A little effort goes a long way in making your wheels stand out and finishing off the look of your detailed car.
Article by Einszett USA
I just tried the Sonax wheel cleaner from DD and it is amazing stuff. If you’ve got dirty wheels Sonax is the best cleaner I’ve seen to date and it contains no acids and is pH balanced. P21S has always been my choice but the Sonax is definitely better so I’m a convert.