What You'll Learn
Aussie Conditions
Look, I've spent way too many hours scrubbing German brake dust off alloys to know there's a right way and a bloody hard way to do this. This checklist is for anyone sick of seeing that brown grime every time they wash the car. We're focusing on getting it done fast and safe, especially if you're living near the coast where salt makes everything twice as corrosive.
The Gear You Actually Need
What You'll Need
Pre-Start Checklist
What You'll Need
While you're here...
The Method
Dry Application
Spray your wheel cleaner directly onto the dry wheel. I learned this the hard way, if you rinse first, the water dilutes the product and it just runs off.
Dwell Time
Let it sit for 2-3 minutes. If it's an iron-decon style cleaner, it'll turn purple. Don't let it dry out completely though, especially on a 30-degree day.
Agitate the Grime
Give it a scrub with your big brush first, then use the small detailing brush for the lug nuts. This breaks the bond of that stubborn red dust and metallic shavings.
Deep Barrel Clean
Get the brush right into the back of the wheel. A customer once brought in a BMW where the front looked mint but the barrels were thick with black sludge.
The Big Rinse
Blast it all off with water. Start from the top and work down. Make sure you rinse the brake calipers and the tyre sidewalls too.
Final Dry
Dry the wheel with your microfiber. If you leave it to air dry, you'll get nasty water spots, especially if you've got hard water at your place.
Expert Observations
Final Inspection
What You'll Need
Watch Out
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