Tool for cleaning wheels?
#1
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Tool for cleaning wheels?
Does anyone have a suggestion for a tool that makes cleaning the wheels easier? I find it hard on the back and difficult to get in.
I watched Monster Garage last year and Jessie James had this slick tool that went in a drill and expanded as it brushed the wheel clean, almost like a round pot scruber.
Thanks.
I watched Monster Garage last year and Jessie James had this slick tool that went in a drill and expanded as it brushed the wheel clean, almost like a round pot scruber.
Thanks.
#4
Tools for wheels
The product I think you're referring to is Mother's Powerball which you can see here.
And here's a pic:
Having said that, you wouldn't believe the specialised tools you can get for washing wheels. They may not be power tools, but they are designed to clean wheels without scratching them.
There's the Meguiar's Wheel Face Brush:
The Meguiar's Wheel Spoke Brush:
And they even do a brush JUST for tires!!:
I have these Meguiar's brushes myself, and they're excellent. I use them with a safe non-acidic wheel cleaner and they bring the wheels up superbly. Really clean, shiny wheels add that final pop to the car and make it look really good.
OXO also do a set of brushes that I understand that are supposed to be better quality still. But they're quite difficult to get hold of over here in the UK:
OXO Ergonomic Wheel Brush
OXO Spoke Wheel Brush
Ergonomic Tire Brush
Anyway, there you go.
And here's a pic:
Having said that, you wouldn't believe the specialised tools you can get for washing wheels. They may not be power tools, but they are designed to clean wheels without scratching them.
There's the Meguiar's Wheel Face Brush:
The Meguiar's Wheel Spoke Brush:
And they even do a brush JUST for tires!!:
I have these Meguiar's brushes myself, and they're excellent. I use them with a safe non-acidic wheel cleaner and they bring the wheels up superbly. Really clean, shiny wheels add that final pop to the car and make it look really good.
OXO also do a set of brushes that I understand that are supposed to be better quality still. But they're quite difficult to get hold of over here in the UK:
OXO Ergonomic Wheel Brush
OXO Spoke Wheel Brush
Ergonomic Tire Brush
Anyway, there you go.
#6
Originally Posted by yiksing
You sure they don't scratch?
The spoke brush is also surprisingly soft. There's no way it's going to scratch. With the '8's standard five spoke wheels, it's great for cleaning all the way to the back of the rim and round the back of the spokes.
They are intended for use with a wheel cleaner. I prefer using Sonus Rim Bright which is a non-acidic formula which is safe for all types of wheel. Being non-acidic it needs some physical agitation to work, but that means a few fairly mild passes with the brushes, not a harsh scrub.
But bear in mind I'm keeping my wheels clean from new, rather than trying to restore wheels that have never been cleaned properly.
Here's a really good guide: Autopia: How-To Detail Tires & Wheels.
Ian.
P.S. I'm not affiliated with Autopia, I just discovered their guides which transformed my view of how to look after a car.
Last edited by IJM; 04-17-2006 at 04:23 AM.
#7
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I use a similar brush to the Meguiars Wheel Spoke Brush above with good results on the stock 18", and am able to get all the way back in the rim perfectly clean. I bought it from Pep Boys for about 6 dollars.
Whatever you use, once you get the wheels clean, put a good coat of wax on them. It'll make cleaning the wheels in the future much easier. With a good coat of wax on mine, most brake dust never sticks, and what does is easily removed with regular car wash soap.
Whatever you use, once you get the wheels clean, put a good coat of wax on them. It'll make cleaning the wheels in the future much easier. With a good coat of wax on mine, most brake dust never sticks, and what does is easily removed with regular car wash soap.
#8
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Originally Posted by yiksing
I don't clean them anymore coz I get cuts whenever I do and it will get dirty again after one drive.
I wouldn't admit to that on this fourm.
#9
I have always used the small version of the "Califonia Duster". This only takes a couple of minutes if you use it regularly. Waxing the wheels once in a while helps too. I'm kind of a psycho about the front wheels because they do get covered with brake dust so quickly. For me cleaning the wheels is part of life.
#10
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#11
the giant tastetickles
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Originally Posted by RotrDoc
I wouldn't admit to that on this fourm.
#12
I have a wheel cleaning kit $26.95. It includes the Meguiars Spoke brush and the soft face wheel brush plus P21S wheel cleaner.
I also just cleaned my Daughters wheels on her Saab, check out the write up and pictures.
http://www.decocarcare.com/tires_wheels.html
I also just cleaned my Daughters wheels on her Saab, check out the write up and pictures.
http://www.decocarcare.com/tires_wheels.html
#13
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I won't use any type of spray wheel cleaner ever again. I've ruined two sets of wheels using that stuff. It can remove the protective coating on most wheels and really screw them up.
#14
Originally Posted by tjtull
I won't use any type of spray wheel cleaner ever again. I've ruined two sets of wheels using that stuff. It can remove the protective coating on most wheels and really screw them up.
I do believe you. There are some pretty nasty cleaners out there.
If you ever try wheel cleaners again I would stick with the safe ones.
P21S(the gel should be left on for TWO hours to clean very dirty neglected wheels).
#16
Originally Posted by dillsrotary
i treat them just like the car, claybar them, wash, then a coat of zaino
#17
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A wool mitt usually does the trick, just using the car soap after the rest of the car is washed. Cleans most of the wheel, and no cut hands. The only part that remains are the lug nut recesses. To get those, a short piece of plastic PVC irrigation pipe with a sock over it. A few twists per lugnut and you're done.
#18
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I just want to know... how do you get behind the bolts on your wheels? All of those brushes do not look capable of getting into such a small area. My fingers are too big to fit behind those bolts.
#20
Originally Posted by Nubo
A wool mitt usually does the trick, just using the car soap after the rest of the car is washed. Cleans most of the wheel, and no cut hands. The only part that remains are the lug nut recesses. To get those, a short piece of plastic PVC irrigation pipe with a sock over it. A few twists per lugnut and you're done.
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