Cleaning your tires on a routine, bi-monthly basis can help remove the salt, dust, debris, garbage, and oil buildup that are a natural part of driving and keep your vehicle in top shape for years to come. Plus keeping that shine helps resale!
FIRST THINGS FIRST, ROUND UP ALL YOUR TOOLS AND MATERIALS
First things first: gather all the supplies you'll need to get started! Here's what we recommend:
- A bucket or large bowl filled with warm water (warm water helps dissolve dirt more easily)
- A sponge or soft cloth for washing your tires
- A brush or scrubbing pad for scrubbing stubborn dirt off your tires
- Tire cleaner (optional)
GIVE EVERYTHING A GOOD RINSE
Before you start scrubbing away at your tires, give everything a good rinse—the outside of the car, too! It's important to get rid of any debris before you start cleaning anything else so that it doesn't just get pushed around instead of removed. If there are small rocks stuck in any cracks between treads, use a screwdriver to pry them out before rinsing again.
WASH AND SCRUB THE TIRE THOROUGHLY
Washing your tires thoroughly can be a bit of a chore, but it's important to keep them clean and free of grime. It's easy to start with the tires and move on to the wheels. Just make sure you don't get any tire grime on your wheel faces!
To clean your tires, start by rinsing them off with cool water and dish soap (about 1 tablespoon per gallon of water). Soak for about 5 minutes if you need to remove stubborn stains. Then scrub away any remaining grime with a bristled brush.
For the wheels, wet down the face of the wheel and use a brush with warm,
soapy water to scrub away any stains or dirt buildup. If you want to apply a natural cleaning solution on your chrome wheels, pour equal parts white vinegar and water into a spray bottle and spritz onto the wheels to melt away stains.
Use a smaller brush for tougher spots on the wheels, then fully dry both the tire and the wheel with a clean microfiber towel.
FINISHING
We suggest using the AG Products Diamond Glanz for that ultimate tire shine!