How To Clean A Car's Tire Rims To Remove Brake Dust, Rust & Corrosion

Tire rims are coated with more and more road dirt and brake dust with every mile put on the vehicle. Brake dust is actually composed of several items: metal shavings, carbon fibers and material from the car’s brake pads. Leaving this on the tire’s rims will result in  corrosion, pitting and, eventually…RUST.  The metal on the rims can easily corrode when there is rust present.  Rust can also make the rims weak and more prone to damage.  Some of the dirt and dust can be removed with regular car soap.  But, soap can’t handle brake dust stains, let alone rust.  Learning to clean a car’s rims correctly can extend their life indefinitely. 

Instructions

Tools You’ll Need For This Job:

Car soap

Water hose or pressure washer

Chamois cloth

Large bucket of hot water

Rubber gloves

Wheel brush or paint brush

Wheel cleaner

Acid based cleaner

Sandpaper

Car polish

 

1.  When washing your car, always clean your rims and tires first.  This will prevent dirt from the rims splashing onto the car’s body.  It’s very important to clean the tire  rims one at a time, starting and finishing each rim completely, so the cleaner doesn’t dry on it.  NOTE:  Always let the rims to cool, if you have recently driven the vehicle.

2.  First, fill a cleaning bucket with hot water, adding any cleaning agent that you are going to use.  Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from the cleaner, and read the cleaner’s directions for how much to use.   Now get your  cleaning rag thoroughly wet and, starting at the top, wash the tire completely.  Then,  clean the tire rim, again from the top, working around in a circle.  If you’re using a hose, spray the outside of the rim with a circular motion.  Be sure to rinse the tire as well, especially if you have white walls.  If you are using a pressure washer, instead of a hose, remember to step back 2′ and off to the side of the rim.  Then rinse the rim at 8″ away, spraying in the cracks from different angles.  

3.  Next, cover the tire (and white walls, if applicable) with Rim Cleaner.  Promptly rinse the white wall, following the circle of it from 6″ away, while standing back a little bit.  Then spray the 1st tire rim with Rim Cleaner.  Let the cleaner set on the rim and follow the label’s directions.   NOTE:  Always use wheel cleaner specifically made for the type of rims on your vehicle or it might stain your rims.  

4.  Next, wipe the rim gently with a soft-bristled brush or clean paintbrush.  The brush will loosen up some of the brake dust and dirt.  Be sure to rinse the rim and the brush repeatedly as necessary.  

5.  Repeat steps 1 & 2, then rinse the rims until all of the cleaner and dirt disappear.

6.  Use an acid based cleaner to remove any rust left behind on the rim.  Then use sandpaper to remove any rust the acid cleaner leaves behind.

7.  To prevent water spots from forming on the rims while they are drying, be sure to dry them with a chamois cloth.  

8.  Finally, polish the tires and rims for a shining finish.  NOTE:  The car polish will also keep the tire rim from rusting and corroding again.