I wash my work wheels 2x a week. Repitition is the key here
b/c the dust seems to stain the surface if left for any stretch
of time. I wax the wheels with mothers aluminium polish since
most of my clear is gone. The metal looks brilliant when done
and lasts as long as I clear the dust/dirt regularly.

 

Anyone's wheels look like they have spots of tar and asphalt looking objects in the wheel well??? Mine do, and I've tried to clean the wheel with degreaser, sponge, and elbow grease but it doesn't get it off. It seems like the only way to get them off is to scrap it off with a razor or flat head....which I obviously haven't done on the whole wheel because it scratches. Any suggestions???

 

if your talking about in side the wheel itsself you could try using a super fine abbrasive steelwool, this might help plus it wont scratch tot he point you can nottice. and the scratches it does leave you can ploish out by hand.

 

I clean the inside rim of my wheels almost every wash too (the stock '06 wheels and NISMO 19" LMGT4's are fairly easy to get into). I use Meguiar's Hot Rims Aluminum Wheel Cleaner per the directions and it works fine. Their All Wheel Cleaner will also work, I just like that the Aluminum Wheel Cleaner is less harsh. I use a Carrand Wheel face brush I got at Pep Boys. It has soft bristles and compresses nicely so I can get it between the caliper and inside rim.

 

LOL. I wondered if I was being a bit ****. Maybe so but nice to see others want to keep things cleaned up. I've done mine twice, once when doing the brakes / putting in new fluid and again when I swapped out all the amber up front. I just use mild soapy water and very light pressure on a kitchen greenie pad (on the inside).

 

Try something like this with a little mineral spirits.

 

.....never wash the inside, just lips and the spokes for me

 

Once a week ritual.

Remove rim/tire from car approx. every 2-3 months for thorough cleaning back side of rim & tire to add tire UV protecting & wax. While tire is off the car; clean wheel wells & spray-on wax the entire wheel well. Inspect all suspension joints and seals & grease, inspect brake pads, clean rotors with brake cleaner. If installing new brake pads; bed in pads after tire/rims are torqued to spec. Test drive & re-torque to spec.

This ritual results in new looking shiny rims.

 

What about cleaning inside the tires? We forgot all about that.

 

I clean the insides of the wheels every wash, they still wash up to look like new. I also hit the fender liners. IMO, little things like these are what keeps your car looking "new"