Wheel Care & Maintenance

Premium wheels are a functional safety component - but also a finish-sensitive piece of design. With the right routine, your wheels will stay looking “new” for years, and you’ll avoid corrosion, staining, and clearcoat damage.

Golden Rules

  • Never wash hot wheels. After hard driving/track use or sitting in direct sun, let wheels cool first. Sudden temperature change + cold water can contribute to surface damage and can create micro-cracking in the finish.
  • Use pH-neutral / acid-free products. Harsh or acidic cleaners can stain or dull finishes and accelerate corrosion.
  • Use only soft tools. Microfiber towels + soft wheel brushes only – no harsh sponges or aggressive pads.
  • Rinse first, clean top-to-bottom, rinse thoroughly. This reduces scratching and prevents re-contaminating already-clean areas.
  • Dry your wheels after washing. Leftover water + chemical residue + road salt can etch the finish over time.
How to wash car wheels

Recommended wheel cleaning routine

1) Prep

  • Park in the shade if possible.
  • Make sure wheels are cool to the touch.
  • Use a separate bucket/tools for wheels (don’t reuse paint wash mitts).

2) Rinse

  • Rinse the wheel and barrel thoroughly to remove loose sand and brake dust.

3) Clean (pH-neutral wheel cleaner)

  • Spray a pH-neutral, finish-safe wheel cleaner.
  • Agitate with soft wheel brushes (spokes, lug area, barrel).
  • Work from the top and around so you don’t re-soil cleaned sections.

4) Rinse thoroughly

  • Rinse until all cleaner is gone - especially around bolt heads, valve stems, center caps, and behind spokes.

5) Dry (important)

  • Dry with a clean microfiber towel to prevent water spotting and mineral marks.

Pro tip: If your area has hard water, drying is everything. Water spots are usually minerals left behind, not “dirt”.

Brake dust & “heavy contamination” (track / spirited driving)
Performance pads create more brake dust and can bake it onto the surface.

  • Start with the routine above first.
  • If brake dust remains embedded, use a wheel-safe iron remover / decontamination product occasionally (not every wash), and follow product dwell-time instructions carefully. 
  • Never let chemicals dry on the wheel. Rinse sooner rather than later.

Finish-specific care notes

Painted / powder coated finishes (best all-round durability)
These are generally the most resilient for daily use and winter driving. Use standard pH-neutral wheel cleaners and microfiber drying.

Polished / machined / brushed / “cut” faces
These finishes look insane… but are more sensitive.

  • Avoid strong chemicals and never let product dwell too long.
  • Dry immediately.
  • Not recommended for winter/salt use unless you’re extremely disciplined with cleaning/protection.

Matte finishes
Matte surfaces can be ruined by the wrong products (they can fill the texture and create unwanted shine). Use matte-specific cleaners and soft microfiber only.

Winter use

Road salt and de-icing chemicals are the fastest way to destroy sensitive finishes.
Salt = The Enemy

  • If you drive in winter conditions: choose solid painted / powder coated finishes for your winter wheel setup.
  • Clean winter-driven wheels often (weekly if exposed to salt is a good rule of thumb). 
  • Always dry after washing and store wheels in a dry environment.

Ceramic Coating

A proper wheel-rated ceramic coating:

  • Makes wheels easier to clean
  • Reduces brake dust bonding
  • Adds a protective layer (especially valuable for polished/machined faces)

Guidelines:

  • Use a coating that is rated for wheel temperatures (heat resistant).
  • Apply on perfectly clean/decontaminated wheels. 
  • Reapply based on product guidance; many owners refresh before winter season.
SAFETY NOTE

Inspection & Damage

Wheels are high-speed rotating parts and structurally important for safety.

If you notice:

  • curb rash that’s deep
  • cracking
  • bends
  • air leaks
  • vibration after impact (pothole/curb)

…stop “guessing” and contact us or a qualified wheel specialist. Cosmetic repairs are common, but structural damage must be evaluated properly.

Quick “DO / DON’T”

DO

  • Wash cool wheels
  • Use pH-neutral / acid-free products
  • Use microfiber + soft brushes
  • Dry after washing
  • Consider ceramic coating

DON’T

  • Wash immediately after track/hard driving
  • Use acidic wheel cleaners or harsh degreasers unless finish-approved 
  • Use abrasive sponges / scuff pads
  • Let chemicals dry on the wheel