Rim & Tire Cleaning Suggestions?

ReZurrected

So I'm trying to take better care of the new Z, and I've been working on the tire/rim portion because I didn't do so well with caring for it before.

I found that break-dust loves clinging to my rims and can be a pain to clean off completely. My questions to you guys are:

1. What products do you use to clean your rims aside from the usual soap and elbow grease?

2. What is your favorite tire cleaner/dressing to use?

3. What's a better recommendation for cleaning rims: Sponge, towel, or brush? I'm scared that if I use a brush it might scratch the rims - but this is also my paranoia talking.

2xtreme1

I use Adams Tire Brush + all purpose cleaner for the tire .
After tires are clean and dry I use Adams super VRT for dressing .

As far as rims go ..I used a sponge with All Purpose cleaner / soap or ..just today I used Adams Green wheel cleaner and it seemed to work really well .
( I used a fairly cheap sponge which I DON'T use on the paint )
Adams sells a Board hair Brush for the rims and its suppose to work really well without scratching the rims but I have not bought it yet.
I have a smaller lug nut brush which is made of same material and I've used it on part of the rims and no scratches !

Junkman2008

Watch.

__________________
"Marines - Making the other guy die for his country for over 200 years."

1st

Soap and elbow grease that’s it. I use a mit for the rims only. I tend to use eagle one/black magic tire gel. I stick to the gels.

P.s: If you have the BBK don’t forget to wipe them down while you’re at it with your rims.

ElVee

I'd first say I pay full attention to the wheels every time I wash the car, even if I'm not doing much with the rest of the car. The wheels basically will always be dirty, no matter what.

I've been trying out Ammo NYC's stuff so far. Just used them once, but I like them! (Note, like yourself, I'm new to this heightened interest in keeping the car clean, so I've not used a ton of stuff to compare.) Plum wheel cleaner to spray on and let sit for a bit while I attend to other places.

I use a stiffer plastic tire brush for the tires and a plastic longer brush to get inside and around the rims and wheel wells. Boarshair/hogshair is good, but my plastic one was the one at the local store when I needed something. I'm looking to get that one from Adam's at some point...

Any brush really should be fine as long as you're not actually rubbing really hard. The soap should do a huge amount of the work for you. Really you're just wanting to agitate and move the gunk around; once freed, the soap will carry it away.

I use a microfiber mitt that I use only for wheels, but I otherwise wash with my normal car soap (this is after letting the Plum wheel cleaner sit, so it does a bunch of the work). Spray/rinse with rest of the car. Some of this I'd change if I wasn't tying up a coin-op bay while doing this extra work, but it works for me so far.

When drying, I use one microfiber towel per wheel.

And afterwords, Mud Tire Gel for my tire dressing. It's not super shiny like some people like, but does look nice anyway.

kenchan

this is wat i use, + car shampoo. no wheel cleaners for me.

i think it's the same as the griot's long handle i bought:

20" Montana Original Boar's Hair Wheel Brush : Amazon.com : Automotive

i like the long handle cause it does not splash soap into my face.

ReZurrected

Thanks for much for the feedback everyone! I"ll be sure to try it out and see how it goes the first time around. ;O


:]

2xtreme1

Yeah, soap and water should work..unless you don't wash often and they get really dirty in which you might probably want to use wheel cleaner.

BeemaaZ

Sonax to clean the brake dust on the wheels. Soap, water and brush for the tires then finish it with tire dressing. The whole process should take less than 15 minutes.

__________________
SoCal 40th Meet
Old & New Mods
** Steering Lock RECALL**
Own 40th 370Z? Get the build # and the Manuf. date here

cheshirecat

Agreed- maybe a little bit more than 15 if you're doing a full clean using Sonax to break up the brake dust/grime along with using a wheel brush to really get in the barrel.

To the OP:
Sonax Full Effect to break down dust/grime
Detail Brush to get into the barrels and break up dust/grime
Water to get rid of product and grime
Zaino Tire Gloss for a matte, non-slinging finish that doesn't pick up dirt
Dressing Applicator to put it on, because you're a civilized gentleman
Adam's Detail Spray to bring the wheels to a gloss after wiping away dirt/grime

Congrats, you're done

Junkman2008

Five minutes or less if you buy better brake pads.

__________________
"Marines - Making the other guy die for his country for over 200 years."