Two fold purpose here.

Am I the only one who cleans the inside of their wheels when they rotate?

I don't clean them every wash, just every 5k when I rotate.

Makes a huge difference. Wheels look a lot brighter.

Bothers me when I see some folks spend hours detailing their truck and you see all the road grime through their wheels.


Who else?

 

Inside of the rims get cleaned each time the vehicle is washed.
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gDMJoe,

Okay, I'll bite. How do you do that?

Green Gem

 

Every tire roation !!!!!!!!!

 

I use a brush on a stick to clean the inside of my wheels. They get cleaned every wash.

Bendable Wheel Brushes - Cleaning Tools - Wheels & Tires - Car Care - Griot's Garage

 

I wash hundreds of pounds of Iowa gravel road grime from under my truck every time I wash it and I always do a thorough job of power washing the inside of the wheels as it's annoying to miss a bit and have a out of balance wheel from road grime. On the plus side the crushed limestone is a good neutralizer for the road deicer's and helps slow rust.

 

I can see doing them every tire rotation. My truck gets washed with a spray wand at a car wash and even doing a good job under the fenders is difficult.

Take Care

Green Gem

 

KJ I am with gDMjoe...I clean my barrels with a brush similar to what xr7GT390 showed. Just with soap and water you brush the barrels and clean the rims BEFORE you wash the truck. Those brushes do a fine job of cleaning the rims but fling grim all around...which is why cleaning the truck after doing the rims is best. If you clean them every time you wash the truck...the buildup will be minimal and it will be a quick easy thing to do.

Here is another type of brush similar to what XR posted and probably more durable ($24.95):




Here is a powered cleaning device for your drill if you prefer ($19.95):



You can find all sorts of products at that website for your truck.

Adam's Polishes | Premium Car Care Supplies

Good luck!

 

• spray the inside of the rims with cleaner ...
  
• let soak for a few minutes. *DO NOT LET IT DRY.
  .
• using a wetted wash mitt, reach thru the openings between the spokes and clean the inside of the rims.
  

Because it's a routine regiment, there's no build-up which means that each cleaning is easily done and takes little time.

If the rims don't allow/provide for a reach-thru, then I would jack-up each side (on the frame, midway between front/rear wheels), position the frame on jack stands, and crawl underneath to clean the inside of the rims. Again, only takes a little extra time (especially since all of the cleaning supplies are out).

BTW ... To make the cleaning of the inside of the rims even easier, the insides are waxed/polished at least once a year. The outsides are waxed/polished once a month (or less depending upon how often the vehicle is washed).
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I have to do mine often...thats what happens with white wheels. simple green and a soft brush.

 

gDMJoe,

Thanks for the information.

The different cleaners/brushes would likely work for me, but my big paws certainly won't fit between the spokes on mine.

I think I'll just give my old body a break and only clean the outside of the wheels.

Take Care

Green Gem

 

I just did a full detail on my wife's Mariner and tried some Meguiar's Brake Dust Barrier (http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotiv...-dust-barrier/). I'm very pleased with how it has kept the brake dust off so far. I know it would be incompatible with certain wheel types, but it's working great on hers.

 

Depending on how dirty the overall wheels and vehicle are. If I'm just doing a basic wash including the wheels with the wash water then no, but if they are going to be washed separately with wheel cleaner then I do use a bendable wheel brush like mentioned about to swap the bores. It does make a difference.

 

home made rim cleaner recipe secret...
-old empty spray bottle
-fill 1/3 water, 1/3 vinegar, 1/3 Mr, Clean or dish soap
-spray rims & let soak 5 min
-use a rim brush and rinse w/hose.

 

Regarding vinegar ... It's very acidic. USE WITH CAUTION and definitely do a trial, spot cleaning before doing the entire rim.

*YA, I know you've done it for < insert # of years here > and never had a problem. But on all rim coatings?

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