Wheel and Tire Care

Brake dust is not just dirt. It is hot metallic particles from the brake pads and rotor that embed themselves into the wheel finish and then oxidize, which is why a neglected wheel develops permanent orange-brown speckling that washing will not remove. Cleaning wheels regularly is genuinely preventive maintenance for the finish, not just cosmetic.Match the cleaner to the finish. pH neutral cleaners are safe on everything including polished aluminum, chrome, painted and powder-coated finishes, and machined faces with a clear coat. Acidic wheel cleaners cut heavy brake dust quickly but will etch polished and machined finishes and strip clear coat, so they belong only on painted or chrome wheels and only with a fast rinse. Iron removers are the right tool for embedded brake dust: they chemically dissolve the iron particles and change color as they work.Never use an acidic or strong alkaline cleaner on a bare polished or anodized wheel, and never let any cleaner dry on a hot wheel. Work one wheel at a time, in the shade, and rinse thoroughly.For tires, a water-based dressing gives a clean satin finish and does not sling onto the paint. Silicone-heavy glossy dressings look dramatic and tend to attract dust and migrate onto the bodywork.