How To Clean and Polish Clear Coated Wheels

Many vehicles produced today have clear coated alloy wheels. The clear coat provides a relatively low maintenance finish that has a nice shine when it's clean, just like clear coat auto paint. Regular cleaning and occasional polishing is all you need to do to keep clear coated wheels looking nearly new.

Choosing products for clear coated wheels is easy. If you wouldn't use a product on your car's paint, don't use it on clear coated wheels. Clear coated wheels should be cleaned with a water-based wheel cleaner. Acidic wheel cleaners or spray-on, rinse-off wheel cleaners can damage clear coat. They are often just too aggressive for a coated surface.

Clear coated wheels do not require frequent polishing like metal wheels. The coating protects the metal underneath from oxidation. However, the clear coat itself may need polishing occasionally since brake dust can penetrate clear coat, and scuffs can occur if you've hugged a curb too closely (that curb jumped out of nowhere!). Always use a polish designed for clear coated wheels. Metal polish should not be used on metal with a clear coat. In the case of clear coated wheels, it's what's on the outside that counts.

Wheels' Worst Enemy

Brake dust is made of an adhesive and carbon fibers that come off the brake pad and tiny metal shavings from the rotor. The intense heat and friction generated by the wheels makes this mixture highly corrosive. Because you probably drive every day, more brake dust is constantly being made. Brake dust penetrates clear coat quite easily and leaves wheels looking speckled with black spots where the brake dust has pitted the finish. Frequent cleaning is the only way to keep your wheels safe.

Step by Step

We recommend cleaning the wheels before washing your vehicle. Cleaning wheels first will prevent brake dust and dirty water from splashing onto a clean car.

1. Rinse wheels to remove loose dirt and brake dust. Use a Industrial High Flow Fireman's Nozzle to deliver a strong stream of water.

Rinse each wheel thoroughly. Towel dry each wheel after cleaning to prevent water spots.

2. Spray one wheel at a time with an clear coated wheel cleaner. A few examples are Griot's Garage Wheel Cleaner, Pinnacle Clear Coat Safe Wheel Cleaner, and Wolfgang Tire & Wheel Cleaner. These cleaners are non-acidic in order to protect the wheels' finish.

3. Use a soft bristled wheel brush to agitate the wheel. The Speed Master Wheel Brush is a great choice because it can fit narrow or wide spaces and has a flexible stem. The soft, synthetic bristles loosen grime and brake dust without scratching the wheel finish. Reach through spokes to clean each wheel front to back.

Don't forget the lug nuts. Brake dust hides wherever it can. Use a lug nut brush to clean around the lug nuts and inside the lug nut holes. While you're working with the brushes, the wheel should remain wet. The water and wheel cleaner help loosen grime, but they also lubricate the wheel surface to prevent scratching. You never you want to let a wheel cleaner dry on the wheel because it will spot the finish.

4. While you're down there, clean the wheel wells, a.k.a. fender wells. A lot of dirt and mud is kicked up in the wheel wells as the tires roll. You might need something a bit stronger than what you used on the wheels. Spray the wheel well generously with an all purpose cleaner, like DP All Purpose Cleaner Plus. Use a long handled brush with sturdy bristles to agitate the wheel well. Note: Do not use DP All Purpose Cleaner Plus full-strength on clear coated wheels. Do not use your soft wheel brush on the wheel wells. Likewise, do not use the wheel well brush on the wheel itself. Think soft and gentle for wheels, strong and sturdy for wheel wells.

5. Rinse the wheel and wheel well, including the lug nut holes and between the spokes.

6. Always dry wheels. Water spots are unattractive wherever they appear, even on the wheels. Our Wheel & All Purpose Microfiber Towel is exceptionally gentle on the wheel finish and grabs any residual brake dust. Because the towel is black, you can you use it on wheels without ruining it. To avoid cross-contamination, use this towel only on wheels and wash it separately from your other microfiber towels. Brake dust is the last thing you want on your paint!

Clay Clear Coated Wheels

Use a medium grade detailing clay bar to remove embedded brake dust from wheels.

All the tiny contaminants that stick to your vehicle's body also stick to the wheels. Add brake dust on top of that. Detailing clay is a fantastic tool for removing embedded contamination from wheels. BLACKFIRE Poly Clay can safely be used on wheels. But be sure not to confuse your wheel clay with your paint clay - you should not mix them up! Always avoid cross-contamination between wheels and paint.

Always use wheel detailing clay after cleaning the wheel but before polishing or waxing.

1. Spray the wheel generously with BLACKFIRE Clay Lubricant or another slippery clay lubricant.
   
   
2. Take a quarter of the clay bar and flatten it into a patty over your fingers. Then rub the clay over the wheel. Take care to get between spokes and wherever you can see pitting or black spots.
   
   
3. Fold the clay to reveal a clean side as it becomes soiled.
   
   
4. When you're done with each wheel, use the clay lubricant or quick detailer to remove any clay residue and wipe the wheel clean.
   
   
5. Do the same on all four wheels.

Wheel Polishing

You have to pick the wheel polish based on what's on the surface of the wheel. If your wheels are metal alloy with a clear coat, use a clear coat-safe polish. A clear coated wheel requires a less aggressive polish than a bare aluminum alloy wheel.

Use a Mothers PowerBall Mini to polish between spokes. Avoid wool polishing balls on clearcoated wheels.

DP Polish or Meguiars Ultimate Polish are both good choices for clear coated wheels. They clean and polish clear coated wheels without scratching or dulling the finish. The clear coat on the wheels will respond to a paint polish just like the clear coat on the auto body. (Even so, do not use applicators and tools on the auto body that have been used on the wheels. You do not want to transfer brake dust to the body paint!)

For the best results, apply wheel polishes to the wheels with a polishing tool, such as Mothers PowerBall Mini. It will give you the consistent speed and power needed to effectively polish wheels.

1. First, wipe the polish of your choice onto the wheel. Apply it to one wheel at a time.
   
   
2. With your Mothers PowerBall Mini attached to your electric drill, start slowly and spread the polish over the wheel. Gradually increase the speed. Keep the PowerBall moving over the wheel until the polish starts to dry or diminish.
   
   
3. Use a soft, clean microfiber towel to wipe the wheel clean.
   
   
4. Repeat on all four wheels.

Apply a coat of BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal to protect wheels from brake dust.

Wax Clear Coated Wheels

Once your wheels are clean and dry, apply a quality wheel protectant like BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal or Wheel Wax to seal the wheel surface. These products work just like car wax, but the BLACKFIRE uses SiO2 ingredients to extend protection and increase hydrophobicity. Apply them with an applicator pad and then buff the wheel. They keep your wheels looking shiny, and they prevent brake dust adhesion. Your wheels look cleaner longer!

Tire Dressing – The Finishing Touch

Choose your tire dressing carefully. Old-fashioned tire dressings contain silicone, which produces a glossy shine but it turns brown over time. In fact, shiny silicone tire dressings can attract dirt. These dressings deplete the rubber's plasticizers faster, causing it to age prematurely. Newer formulas, like Pinnacle Black Onyx Tire Gel or Optimum Opti-Bond Tire Gel, are water-based and less shiny, but less shiny is the concours look you want. These dressings create the look of new tires with a semi-gloss sheen that doesn't turn brown. Pinnacle Black Onyx Tire Gel also nourishes the rubber to recreate the look of new tires. You can often layer water-based dressings to get a glossier shine. Follow the directions on the label carefully. Always apply thin coats and allow drying time before you drive your vehicle. Even the best dressing will sling off if it's on too thick or it doesn't have time to dry. Avoid pooling of the dressing around raised letters and white walls.