The wheels on your bus may spin round and round, but with every turn, they gather a significant amount of dirt and grime from the road as well as your vehicle.
Over time, the buildup from brake dust and other environmental factors can make your wheels appear dirty and neglected.
Fortunately, with the right wheel cleaner and some elbow grease, you can restore them to their original shine.
It is essential to choose the appropriate cleaner, as various wheel materials require specific products. Always carefully read the labels and follow the instructions to ensure your wheels are properly cleaned and maintained.
By taking the correct steps, your wheels will shine, and you’ll wonder why you hadn’t done this sooner.
Things to Consider When Buying Wheel Cleaner
Using standard car soap or even worse, dish soap on your rims and tires isn’t the best approach. Brake dust and other debris often require a more powerful cleaner than typical soaps can provide.
It’s wise to select a specialized wheel cleaner tailored to this task. Before purchasing, here are a few things to consider.
Wheel Type
Wheels come in various materials, with the most common being steel and aluminum, although more specialized options such as magnesium and carbon fiber are also available.
Knowing what your wheels are made of is key to selecting the right cleaner.
While most wheel cleaners are marketed as safe for all wheel types, it’s a good idea to choose one specifically designed for your particular wheels if they’re made from more exotic materials. If you have standard wheels, an “all-wheel” cleaner should suffice.
Application Method
Most wheel cleaners are available as ready-to-use sprays, but some may require dilution with water and application through your own spray bottle or with a brush.
Consider where you’ll be cleaning your wheels and what tools you have available to make the best choice.
Tools
Stubborn grime often requires the use of brushes to loosen and remove dirt from crevices.
Investing in a high-quality wheel brush can elevate your cleaning game. Be sure to use old, clean microfiber towels when cleaning your wheels, saving the new towels for your vehicle’s bodywork.
Water Source
Before cleaning your wheels, ensure you have a proper water source. Whether using a gentle pressure washer, a regular garden hose, or a simple bucket of water, it’s important to be prepared.
1. Meguiar’s Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner
Pros
- Acid-free, pH-balanced formula
- Works on all wheel types
Cons
- Not specifically optimized for specialized wheels
If you’re looking for a reliable wheel cleaner that works well on virtually all types of wheels, Meguiar’s Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner is the ideal choice.
Its acid-free, pH-balanced formula effectively breaks down and dissolves moderate brake dust and other debris.
For owners of more delicate rims, like aluminum, it might be a good idea to opt for a wheel cleaner designed specifically for those materials. However, the Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner is an excellent, versatile option for most people.
Where To Get it: Meguiar’s Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner
2. Griot’s Garage Heavy-Duty Wheel Cleaner
Pros
- Formula clings to the wheel, allowing active ingredients to work longer
- Turns purple when reacting with brake dust
Cons
- May be too strong for more sensitive wheels
When your wheels are severely caked with a thick layer of brake dust, it’s time to bring out the big guns. Griot’s Garage Heavy-Duty Wheel Cleaner is specially formulated to handle heavy grime.
Its clingy formula ensures the active ingredients remain on the surface longer, allowing for a more effective clean than standard cleaners.
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Another cool feature is the magenta color change when the cleaner reacts with brake dust. If your wheels are really dirty, this cleaner will get the job done.
Where To Get it: Griot’s Garage Heavy-Duty Wheel Cleaner
3. Chemical Guys Diablo Wheel Cleaner
Pros
- Highly popular among professional detailers
- Concentrated formula, so one bottle lasts longer
Cons
- Requires dilution
If you enjoy taking your time to clean your car, Chemical Guys Diablo Wheel Cleaner is a great choice. It’s well-loved in the car-detailing community, and its concentrated formula makes it a cost-effective option.
Since it’s concentrated, you’ll need to dilute it with some water before use. Once the mixture is prepared, apply it with a brush and get to work on your wheels.
Where To Get it: Chemical Guys Diablo Wheel Cleaner
4. Meguiar’s Aluminum Wheel Cleaner
Pros
- Works on aluminum, alloy, and powder-coated wheels
- Gentle formula protects corrosion-prone metals and materials
Cons
- Gentle formula lacks the ability to tackle heavy-duty cleaning
Aluminum wheels are particularly sensitive to standard wheel cleaners, so it’s wise to use a cleaner specifically formulated for them. Meguiar’s Aluminum Wheel Cleaner is one of the best options available for this purpose.
The formula is incredibly gentle, making it safe for use on uncoated aluminum, polished aluminum, and even powder-coated wheels.
Protecting your expensive rims starts with using the right cleaner, and this product offers the ideal solution.
Where To Get it: Meguiar’s Aluminum Wheel Cleaner
5. Sonax Wheel Cleaner Full Effect
Pros
- Safe for painted wheels
- Sprays on yellow, turns red or purple when reacting with brake dust
Cons
- Some people find the smell off-putting
Sonax Wheel Cleaner is highly praised by many, and it’s easy to understand why it delivers impressive results. Visually, this wheel cleaner is quite unique; it sprays on yellow and changes to red or purple as it reacts with brake dust.
Sonax claims that it’s safe for use on all factory-installed wheels. However, it’s best to avoid using it on more delicate wheels like aluminum.
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Additionally, some users have noted that the smell is not particularly pleasant. If you can tolerate the scent, Sonax Wheel Cleaner Full Effect is certainly worth considering.
Where To Get it: Sonax Wheel Cleaner Full Effect
6. Chemical Guys Red Rocket Detailing Brush
Pros
- Available in two sizes
- Ideal for cleaning between wheel spokes
Cons
- Rubber tip may wear out over time
The Chemical Guys Red Rocket Detailing Brush is designed with a barrel shape that makes it perfect for cleaning between wheel spokes.
The brush features a flexible, rubber-wrapped metal spine, allowing you to angle the brush into the hard-to-reach areas of your wheels. This model is nine inches long, but a smaller 5.5-inch version is also available.
Where To Get it: Chemical Guys Red Rocket Detailing Brush
Chemical Guys offers a wide range of brushes, and we highly recommend checking them out. Using the right tools, like these brushes, can make a big difference when it comes to cleaning your tires effectively.