How to Clean Car Wheels and Tires — Step by Step Guide
Want to clean your car wheels and tires safely and effectively? In this simple step by step guide, I’ll show you how to clean wheels, remove brake dust, and dress your tires for a clean, professional finish — using the right products and process.
Wheels and tires take the brunt of daily driving — brake dust, road grime, dirt, and UV exposure can leave them looking dull and neglected.
But with the right products and a simple process, you can restore them to like-new condition — and protect them from future damage.
In this guide, I’ll show you:
- The best way to clean car wheels
- How to safely remove brake dust
- How to clean and prep tires
- How to dress tires for a clean, OEM finish (no sling!)
Products You’ll Need
- Pure Magic Cleaner — Acid-based wheel and tire cleaner
- Wheel cleaning brushes (soft face brush, barrel brush)
- Tire brush
- Pressure washer or hose
- All Dressed Up — Water-based trim and tire dressing
- All Blacked Out Applicators — Tire dressing applicators
- Microfiber towels for final wipe
How to Clean Car Wheels
Step 1 — Rinse Thoroughly
👉 Start by rinsing the wheels thoroughly with a pressure washer or hose — this removes loose dirt and grime.
Step 2 — Apply Wheel Cleaner
- Spray Pure Magic Cleaner liberally onto the wheel face and barrel
- Allow to dwell for 30–60 seconds — let it break down brake dust and grime
Step 3 — Agitate
- Use a soft wheel brush to clean the face of the wheel
- Use a barrel brush to clean deep inside the wheel barrel
- Don’t forget around lug nuts and spoke edges
Step 4 — Rinse Clean
👉 Rinse thoroughly with a pressure washer or hose — ensure all cleaner and loosened grime is removed.
How to Clean Car Tires
Step 1 — Apply Tire Cleaner
- Spray Pure Magic Cleaner directly onto the tire sidewall
- Allow to dwell for 30–60 seconds — this helps remove old browning, oils, and dirt
Step 2 — Scrub Tires
- Use a stiff tire brush to scrub the sidewall thoroughly
- Work in circles and overlap your passes — tires hold a lot of dirt and need aggressive cleaning
Step 3 — Rinse Clean
👉 Rinse thoroughly — check the rinse water:
- If brown runoff continues, repeat the cleaning process until the rinse water runs clear — this ensures the tire is fully prepped for dressing
How to Dress Tires for a Clean OEM Look
Step 1 — Dry the Tires
👉 Use a microfiber towel to dry the tires — this ensures the dressing bonds properly.
Step 2 — Apply Tire Dressing
- Apply All Dressed Up onto an All Blacked Out Applicator
- Work the product into the sidewall — cover evenly
- Less is more — use a thin, even coat for an OEM matte to satin finish (no sling!)
Step 3 — Let It Dry
👉 Allow the dressing to dry fully before driving — this prevents sling and ensures a long-lasting finish.
Pro Tips for Best Results
- Always clean wheels and tires first — before washing the rest of the car
- Use dedicated brushes and towels just for wheels and tires — don’t cross-contaminate with paint towels
- Work one wheel at a time — don’t let cleaner dry on the surface
- For a higher gloss look — apply a second coat of All Dressed Up after the first coat dries
- Maintain regularly — keeping wheels and tires clean helps prevent long-term damage and staining
Recommended Products
- Pure Magic Cleaner — Acid-based wheel and tire cleaner
- All Dressed Up — Water-based trim and tire dressing
- All Blacked Out Applicators — Tire dressing applicators
Conclusion
👉 Want clean, protected wheels and tires? Just follow this simple process:
- Clean wheels thoroughly with Pure Magic Cleaner
- Clean and prep tires with Pure Magic Cleaner + tire brush
- Dress tires with All Dressed Up using All Blacked Out Applicators
- Maintain regularly for long-term protection and appearance
👉 With this simple routine — your wheels and tires will stay clean, protected, and looking great for miles to come!
