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Wheels, Tires & Wheel Wells

Do these first, before you wash the body, so splatter gets washed off.

About 15 minutes for all four

What you’ll need

  • Iron remover / brake dust remover (C130)
  • Heavy-duty wheel cleaner (M14) — approved specialty users only, with splash goggles, face shield and chemical-resistant gloves
  • Degreaser (F15) for tires and wells
  • Wheel face brush, barrel brush, lug nut brush, stiff tire brush, wheel well brush
  • Pressure washer
  • Tire shine (P90) and a foam applicator
  • Wheel-only microfiber towels (never use them on paint)
  • Safety glasses and 5-mil nitrile gloves

Before you start

  • Wheels must be cool. Chemical on a hot wheel dries instantly and stains.
  • Know the finish. Polished, chrome or matte wheels stain easily. Test a small spot first, or ask your manager.
  • Heavy-duty wheel cleaner (M14) is for approved specialty users only. Wheel acid (S5) is for authorized locations only. See Chemical Safety Training.
  • One wheel at a time. Never let product dry on the wheel.

Cleaning steps

  1. Rinse the wheel, tire and well.
  2. Well: spray degreaser (F15), scrub the liner with the well brush.
  3. Tire: spray degreaser (F15), scrub with the tire brush until the foam turns white. Brown foam means old dressing is still there.
  4. Wheel: spray iron remover (C130) on the face and inside the barrel. Heavy buildup? Only an approved specialty user may use heavy-duty wheel cleaner (M14), with the extra PPE. Otherwise, ask your manager.
  5. Agitate face, spokes, lug nuts, barrel and around the brake caliper.
  6. Rinse well, including behind the spokes and the lug holes.
  7. Dry with a wheel towel, then blow water out of the lug nuts with the air gun.

Dressing steps

  1. Tire must be dry. Dressing on a wet tire won’t stick and will sling.
  2. Pour tire shine (P90) onto the foam applicator. Tire shine is never sprayed — spray gets in the air you breathe and onto the cars next to you.
  3. Wipe evenly around the sidewall only. Keep it off the tread and the wheel.
  4. Wipe off any dressing that touched the wheel.
  5. Plastic well liners: a thin coat of plastic and rubber dressing (M2) on the applicator if your store does it.

Quality check

  • No brake dust in the barrel, lug holes or around the center cap
  • Even, satin tire shine — no wet, drippy look
  • No dressing on the tread or the wheel
  • No water dripping out of the lug nuts
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