How to Detail Wheels & Tires

Start at the bottom

Step 1:

When you wash your vehicle, clean the wheels and tires first. This will prevent overspray or grime from splashing onto already-clean panels. If you like to clean your wheels and tires with soap and water, use a separate wash and rinse bucket and soft bristle brush.

Step 2:

When cleaning your wheels and tires, it's essential to select the appropriate cleaning products. Consider the type of wheels you have. If you're unsure, opt for a cleaner that's safe for all wheel types. For a versatile solution that cleans both wheels and tires, Wolfgang Tire & Wheel Cleaner is an excellent choice. Its gel formula effectively penetrates and removes brake dust from both surfaces.

If you're dealing with stubborn brake dust or neglected wheels, a stronger cleaner like Pinnacle Advanced Wheel Cleaner Concentrate might be necessary. This professional-grade product uses a non-caustic formula to dissolve brake dust without damaging your wheels.

To address brown tires, use a tire protectant like Pinnacle Vinyl & Rubber Protectant. It removes browning and grease, restoring the natural dark color of your tires while protecting the rubber from future discoloration.

Finally, choose appropriate brushes for your wheels and tires. A feathered-bristle brush like the Montana Original Boar's Hair Wheel Brush is ideal for wheels, while a stiffer brush like Mother's Contoured Tire Brush is suitable for tires. For low-profile tires, the Low Profile Tire Brush offers effective cleaning with its curved handle and stiff bristles.

Step 3:

Always clean your tires and wheels one set at a time to prevent the cleaner from drying. Wash and then rinse with a strong jet of water before moving to the next tire.

Step 4:

Don't forget to dry your wheels! Use a Microfiber All Purpose & Wheel Detailing Towel or a terry cloth towel, but not one that you plan to use on any other part of your vehicle. Once a towel is used on the tires or wheels, it should always be used for tires and wheels. Drying prevents water spots and helps you remove every last bit of the brake dust.

Wax your wheels!

Once your wheels are clean and dry, apply a quality wheel protectant like the BLACKFIRE SiO2 Wheel Seal to seal the wheel surface. These products work just like car wax. 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. You have to reapply these products weekly, but it's better than scrubbing your wheels every two days. The good news is, if you use a wheel wax as recommended, water is the only thing you need to clean your wheels between waxings.

Wheels that are coated with Black Label Diamond Wheel Coating will be easier to clean and maintain. Regular wheel cleaning will only require soap and water, even on brake-dust laden German sports sedans. Diamond Wheel Coating creates such a slick barrier of protection that most dirt and grime will be removed when driving through the rain. A strong jet of water from the hose will also knock off most of the built up brake dust, minimizing the amount of scrubbing required.

Directions:

1. Ensure surface is cool to the touch and out of direct sunlight.
2. Thoroughly clean each wheel first using Pinnacle Advanced Wheel Cleaner Concentrate.
3. Polish wheels with BLACKFIRE Tire And Wheel Cleaner
4. Spray Diamond Wheel Coating directly onto a Gold Wax Finger Pocket and evenly distribute over the wheel.
5. Work the coating into the surface until it disappears.
6. Lightly buff with a clean, soft, lint-free microfiber towel.

Dress for Success

Choose your tire dressing carefully. Old formulas contain silicone, which produces a glossy shine but it turns brown over time. These dressings deplete the rubber's own protectants faster, causing it to age prematurely. Newer formulas, like Pinnacle Black Onyx Tire Gel or BLACKFIRE Tire Gel, are water-based and less shiny. They 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.

Another option is to use a tire coating, like Pinnacle Black Label Tire Clear Coat or Tuf Shine Tire Clear Coat. These two products are semi-permanent, with an edge going to Pinnacle Black Label Tire Clear Coat for overall ease of use. Pinnacle Black Label Tire Clear Coat is an acrylic-based resin that forms a flexible, chemical-resistant coating on your tires. Engineered to outlast and outperform conventional oil and water-based tire dressings, Pinnacle Black Label Tire Clear Coat will not wash or sling off and will not turn tires brown. A single application of Pinnacle Black Label Tire Clear Coat will provide several months of protection, even in extreme climates. Pinnacle Black Label Tire Clear Coat dries to the touch – it even passes the “white glove" test!

Pinnacle Black Label Tire Clear Coat also does wonders for whitewalls and raised white lettering! If you have a classic car or a lifted four wheel drive pickup truck, Pinnacle Black Label Tire Clear Coat will keep your whitewalls or raised white lettering bright and white for several months.

Dressings provide UV protection and prevent drying, cracking and fading. With a little TLC, your vehicle's wheels and tires will look as sharp as the rest of your ride!

See our Metal Polishing Guide for details on wheel polishing.