Honda-Tech - Honda Forum Discussion

Honda: How to Clean Your Wheels

Learn the easy, proper way to clean the dirt and grime from your wheels. In fact, your wheels will be so clean, the karate kid will get jealous.

By Tom Cavanagh - March 20, 2015

This article applies to the Honda Civic/Del Sol (1992-2000), and Accord (1990-2002).

No other part of your car is more exposed to grit, grime, oil, debris, brake pad dust, or road kill than your wheels and tires. If left untreated, they can combine to create a dark sludge that's hard to remove. One explanation for this is that every time you apply the brakes, the pads and rotors release tiny, hot metallic particles and micro-fibers behind the wheels. These combine with the dirt and oil from the pavement to form a potentially corrosive residue that is virtually "sprayed" onto the surface of the wheels. On top of all this, the oxidation and pollutants do some grave damage to your wheels and paint, which is a whole new problem you might need to worry about. Follow these steps for a great way to clean your wheels.

Material Required

  • Sea sponge
  • 2 buckets
  • Wheel cleaner
  • Soft cloth
  • Wheel sealant (optional)

Pro Tips

  • It is recommended that you use a sea sponge to clean your wheels because almost all excess particles are removed after rinsing, which isn't the case with microfiber and polishing clothes.
  • If desired, apply a finishing coat of the wheel sealer such as Poorboy. It costs around $19.95 per jar, and it makes your wheels easier to clean in the future.
Figure 1. An example of a dirty wheel.

Step 1 – Prep for the clean

  • Hose down the wheels with a strong jet stream to rinse away some dirt and debris.
  • Fill one bucket with the wheel cleaner and water. Mix according to the manufacturer's directions.
  • Fill another bucket with water.
  • Drop the sponge into the bucket with the wheel cleaner mixture, and let it soak for a minute.
Figure 2. A sea sponge is more effective for removing dirt.

Step 2 – Clean the wheels

  • Using the sponge, thoroughly clean the wheels. The softness of the sponge will allow you to get the wheel cleaner into tighter areas of the wheel.
  • Rinse the wheels with the hose.
  • If another application of wheel cleaner is needed, make sure to rinse the sponge in the clean water to remove the dirt it picked up.
Figure 3. Remove all of the dirt with water and wheel cleaner.

Step 3 – Dry the wheels

  • Using a soft cloth, fully dry the wheels.

Pro Tip

You can also apply a wheel sealant after cleaning. It will help to prevent brake dust and grime from accumulating.

Featured Video: How to Clean Your Car Wheels

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