Wheels work in the dirtiest part of the car. Road grease, brake dust, tar and winter salt gradually bake into tyre sidewalls, wheels and wheel nuts. The build-up does more than spoil the look: wheels corrode underneath it, and nuts seize so badly that changing a wheel at the roadside becomes a struggle.
You do not need expensive products. Below is a simple order: water first, then a homemade paste for deep cleaning, and for wheels, nuts and greasy spots a targeted treatment with WD-40 that is always rinsed off afterwards.
What you will need
- a bucket of warm water with car shampoo or detergent
- baking soda and white vinegar
- a stiff brush and a sponge
- cotton buds for crevices
- clean cloths
- WD-40 Multi-Use Product
- WD-40 Smart Straw for nut recesses and hard-to-reach spots
Important: Never apply WD-40 to the tyre tread or to brake discs or pads, as it reduces grip. On the sidewall, apply it only as a spot treatment on a greasy mark and wash it off thoroughly with soapy water straight away.
Step 1
Wash off ordinary dirt
Start with cold wheels: after a drive the wheels and brakes are hot and cleaning products dry on them quickly. Blast off sand and mud with water, then wash the tyre and wheel with a sponge and warm soapy water.
This removes abrasive grit that would otherwise scratch the wheel during cleaning, and shows you where the real baked-on grease remains.
Step 2
Deep clean with a baking soda paste
Mix baking soda and vinegar in roughly equal parts to form a paste. Apply it to the dirty areas of the sidewall and let it dry so it softens the caked-on film.
Then scrub hard with a stiff brush, using a cotton bud around the sidewall lettering, the valve and in small crevices. Rinse everything with clean water.
Step 3
Treat wheels, nuts and greasy spots with WD-40
Where grease and tar have not shifted, spray WD-40 Multi-Use Product onto the wheel, the wheel nuts and as a spot treatment on the greasy mark. It dissolves old deposits and drives moisture out of the threads.
The straw of WD-40 Smart Straw makes it easy to reach nut recesses and between the spokes. Let the product work for a minute, then wipe it off with a cloth, using a cotton bud in the corners.
Step 4
Wash the residue off the tyre
After treatment, always wash the tyre sidewall with soapy water so no oily film is left on the rubber. The tread must be completely clean.
Finally rinse the wheel with clean water and dry it. If you want to refresh the look of the rubber, use a water-based tyre dressing on the sidewall only.
Step 5
Protect nuts and wheels for winter
Before the salt season, lightly treat the outside of wheel nuts and bolts with WD-40 Multi-Use Product: a thin film repels water and slows corrosion, so the nuts come off easily in spring.
Wipe off the excess and keep the product away from the brakes.
Tip: Clean one wheel at a time and always work from top to bottom: dirt runs downwards, so you will not have to clean the finished part again.
What next
Wash your wheels every few weeks and more often during the salt season. A seasonal tyre change is also a good moment to clean the wheels and treat the fixings with WD-40 Multi-Use Product.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».