The Ultimate Wheel and Tire Detailing Guide

Want showroom-ready wheels and tires? This ultimate guide covers everything you need to know about cleaning, protecting, and maintaining them.

Your wheels and tires are some of the most visible parts of your vehicle—and some of the dirtiest. From brake dust to road grime, they’re constantly under attack. Proper detailing not only improves appearance but also prevents long-term damage. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through every step of wheel and tire care, from cleaning and decontamination to dressing and protection.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• The right products and tools for wheel and tire detailing
• Step-by-step cleaning and decontamination
• How to deep clean tires for lasting results
• The best way to apply dressings without sling
• How to protect wheels against brake dust

Step 1: Gather the Right Products

For safe and effective wheel and tire detailing, you’ll need:

• Pure Magic Cleaner – Safe, acid-based cleaner for wheels and tires.
• All Dressed Up – Sling-free tire and trim dressing.
• Tough As Shell Ceramic Spray – Protects wheels with a hydrophobic layer.
• Wheel brushes – Barrel brushes, lug nut brushes, and stiff tire brushes.
• Microfiber towels – For drying and buffing.

Step 2: Clean Wheels and Tires

1. Rinse: Spray wheels and tires with water to remove loose dirt.
2. Apply Cleaner: Coat wheels and tires with Pure Magic Cleaner.
3. Agitate: Use a barrel brush for wheel barrels, a detailing brush for lug nuts, and a stiff brush for tire sidewalls.
4. Rinse Thoroughly: Wash away brake dust, grime, and cleaner.

Step 3: Decontaminate (Optional)

For heavily contaminated wheels, follow up with an iron remover. This dissolves embedded brake dust that regular cleaners can’t reach. Always rinse thoroughly afterward.

Step 4: Deep Clean Tires

Repeat scrubbing with Pure Magic Cleaner until the foam runs white. This ensures old dressings and blooming are fully removed.

Step 5: Apply Tire Dressing

1. Dry tires completely.
2. Apply All Dressed Up with an applicator pad in thin, even layers.
3. Allow 5–10 minutes for absorption.
4. Buff off excess with a microfiber towel for a sling-free finish.

Step 6: Protect Wheels

1. Dry wheels completely.
2. Apply Tough As Shell ceramic spray evenly.
3. Spread and buff with a microfiber towel for a glossy, hydrophobic finish.

Comparison: Cleaned vs Detailed Wheels

Condition	Appearance	Protection	Ease of Cleaning
Only Cleaned	Looks fresh temporarily	No protection	Dirt builds up quickly
Cleaned + Protected	Glossy and deep finish	Hydrophobic layer resists dust	Easier to clean next time

Pro Tips for Pro-Level Results

• Clean wheels first during a wash to avoid splashing grime onto clean paint.
• Always work in the shade and on cool wheels.
• Use dedicated brushes for wheels and tires—never mix with paint tools.
• Reapply ceramic spray every 6–8 weeks for maximum protection.

Related Posts

• Best Wheel Cleaner for Brake Dust Removal
• How to Deep Clean Tires Before Applying Dressing
• The Best Way to Protect Wheels After Cleaning