There seems to be an ongoing argument about the best method to keep your car's wheels clean. There are a lot of wheel cleaning products on the market and many of them claim to be "safe" on any or all finishes. However, we have found that virtually all of them have chemicals that can damage your wheel's finish, especially if used improperly. In today's market and especially when it comes to custom wheels, there are a lot of different finishes to contend with. Most wheels have a liquid or powder-coated, painted finish. Nutek even offers a rare, but popular "ceramic" finish. There are also chrome and polished finishes to consider. Although there are many "finish specific" cleaners and protective products on the market, you the consumer must take great caution when using them. Improperly used, they can cause serious damage.
If you keep your car clean, then you probably don't have any issues with maintaining the finish of your wheels. Serious problems can arise when brake dust and road grime are allowed to collect on your wheels finish for a prolonged period of time. Brakes dust actually contains caustic substances and hot metal filings that are produced during the braking process. Left unchecked, these particles can actually etch the finish of your wheels, damaging it permanently. Waxing your wheels periodically creates a sacrificial surface that will act as a barrier and protect against many caustic or acidic byproducts and brake pad metal fillings by providing added protection of your wheel's finished surfaces.
Cleaning your wheels between car washes is easy too. Try using any good "microfiber" towel, dusting your wheels off every 2 or 3 days. It's quick and easy and the microfiber towels act like a dust magnet holding onto the brake dust without scratching your wheels finish. Other products are available as well for doing this job.
When washing your wheels, NEVER do it when the wheels are hot, caused by driving and braking. Allow them to cool off. NEVER use chemical wheel cleaners. They're not necessary. Use a detergent that is formulated specifically for your cars painted finish only. Don't use dish soap or some other detergent designed to clean other things. These types of detergents contain chemicals that can strip wax and even damage your automotive finishes. If your wheels are just a little dusty, then use water only. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out. Just use common sense, methods and products designed for this purpose and your wheels will look great for many years to come.
