How do you clean the inner wheel wells?

[slitherv10]

What is the trick to get all that grime off of the inner wheel wells and get it back to show and shine quality. By inner wheel I mean the part on the inside/under the car end.

[ICPREY]

I've taken the wheels off and used an all purpose cleaner and applied Adam's VRT.

[slitherv10]

I've taken the wheels off and used an all purpose cleaner and applied Adam's VRT.

An ll purpose cleaner like Armor all ? What is Adams VRT and where can I get it? What is the process using the 2 ?

[ICPREY]

Both products are made by Adam's Polish. http://www.adamspolishes.com/

You could probably just use a good degreaser in place of the all purpose cleaner, but I enjoy the smell,LOL. They also make an undercarriage cleaner that works well. If you do decide to get some, join their facebook page since they have specials pretty often. Some links...
http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-60-adams-undercarriage-spray-dressing-refill.aspx
http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-512-adams-super-vrt-tire-trim-dressing.aspx
http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-121-adams-all-purpose-cleaner.aspx

[plumcrazy]

ive always used spray nine to clean and wipe them down with either tire shine or wd40

[Anonymous]

Agreed wd40 is fantastic in a previous life I raced dirt bikes and we would spray them before races and the dirt would fall off after.

[Fatboy 18]

WD 40 is also fantastic at removing those tar spots on paintwork ;)

For the wheel arches I wash them down in hot water and washing up liquid, then spray the inner arches with a rattle can of Tire shine and buff them up, seems to work fine :)

[BlknBlu]

2 times a year the wheels come off and everything within the wheel wells gets a good cleaning. Simple green is my cleaner of choice. This includes all the suspension components and shocks. A detail spray on the metal and Tire dressing on the plastic liners. I use Griot's Garage products. In between drives, I just wipe the wheel wells down for maint.

Bruce

[slitherv10]

Wow !! Now this is what I call feedback. Thanks to all of you with all your products and applications. I will be looking at all these applications and see which ones work well for me personally. All your ideas are fabulous. One good winter project on my belt. Now if I can only get another 100 ideas for projects to keep me busy the rest of the winter days :t89186:

[Newport Viper]

Like Frank's Red Hot... I put this $hit on everything! http://www.meguiars.com/en/professional/products/d4510-vinyl-and-plastic-coating/

[slitherv10]

Like Frank's Red Hot... I put this $hit on everything! http://www.meguiars.com/en/professional/products/d4510-vinyl-and-plastic-coating/

I'll give that a shot as well

[Newport Viper]

I'll give that a shot as well

Great for the engine compartment after a good cleaning. Then go directly to car show ;)

[99RT10]

After you get everything clean, to keep it clean, I used to use black wax on the wheel wells. Most of the dirt would just fall off with a hose off.

[slitherv10]

After you get everything clean, to keep it clean, I used to use black wax on the wheel wells. Most of the dirt would just fall off with a hose off.


Black wax eh? I'll keep that in mind. thanks

[99RT10]

Like Frank's Red Hot... I put this $hit on everything! http://www.meguiars.com/en/professional/products/d4510-vinyl-and-plastic-coating/

That seems much easier than black waxing the wheel wells. I will have to give it a try, but the black wax made it look good.................:D

[VIPER BAZ UK]

ive always used spray nine to clean and wipe them down with either tire shine or wd40

WD40 here... And the wheel wells under the hood as well...

[Bugman Jeff]

WD-40 is primarily mineral spirits and mineral oil. I've tried it on my plastic parts, and wasn't overly impressed. I like 3-in-One brand silicone spray for my wheels wells and plastic bits. It dries leaving no film to attract dust, gives a nice stain sheen, water beads up real nice, and dirt doesn't stick to it. Lasts longer than WD-40 too. Most silicone sprays will work, but you want to look for something that says "quick drying" or "leaves no residue" as anything that leaves a wet film will attract dust.

[LittleCobra]

Poorboys Trim Restorer hands down. These are the plastic mud guards on my project car:

Before

742

After

743

Front in progress

744

[cobraken]

I've found a good all purpose wheel and tire cleaner good for cleaning and keep them looking new. Spray on and spray off with every wash. Products like armor all make them too shiny.

[Torquemonster06]

I do mine once a year. First a good cleaning with Dawn liquid soap, after its dry I use a kind of black restorer. Yes it turns out shiny but that's how I like it. They stay looking new all year round, and nothing sticks to them. Oh yea, don't forget to clean the insides of your wheels while you have them off. 757758759760

[slitherv10]

I do mine once a year. First a good cleaning with Dawn liquid soap, after its dry I use a kind of black restorer. Yes it turns out shiny but that's how I like it. They stay looking new all year round, and nothing sticks to them. Oh yea, don't forget to clean the insides of your wheels while you have them off. 757758759760

What do you use to clean the inside of your wheels. All the grime and brake dust etc....

[Brian GTS]

For the insides, I use Mineral Spirits....takes the grime right off.

[slitherv10]

For the insides, I use Mineral Spirits....takes the grime right off.

Never thought of that one.

[ViperGuy]

For optimal results on plastic materials, do the heavy lifting with Z-14™ Plastic Magic Cleaner and then follow that up, whether plastic parts or tires, with Z-16™ Perfect Tire Gloss for an awesome satin long lasting protective finishing shine. Now stand back and admire the results; you won't be disappointed. http://www.zainostore.com

[Torquemonster06]

The insides of my wheels get cleaned with a soft brush every time I wash the car so they don't ever get that dirty.

[Leslie]

I like Adams products too.

Before and after pic. My track buddy cleaned mine for me when he was taking my car apart to paint it.

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q436/levettegrl/brakesbefore-1.jpg (http://s350.photobucket.com/user/levettegrl/media/brakesbefore-1.jpg.html)

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q436/levettegrl/brakesafter-1.jpg (http://s350.photobucket.com/user/levettegrl/media/brakesafter-1.jpg.html)

[v10enomous]

Soapy water and a sponge and then this...

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o67/charlielanz2/meg_endur_350_zps18e39224.jpg

[swolff]

Found something else to do in the garage this winter. I know my inner fenders are in need of a little work

[slysnake]

Yeah, my wheel wells are pretty faded. I use tire shine and that looks great, but I want something more permanent. How long will Back to Black last? I've considered spray on bed liner. What do you think?

[chesapeake07]

I like Adams products too.

Before and after pic. My track buddy cleaned mine for me when he was taking my car apart to paint it.

http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q436/levettegrl/brakesbefore-1.jpg (http://s350.photobucket.com/user/levettegrl/media/brakesbefore-1.jpg.html)



http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q436/levettegrl/brakesafter-1.jpg (http://s350.photobucket.com/user/levettegrl/media/brakesafter-1.jpg.html)

That looks much better!

[St.Char]

Yeah, my wheel wells are pretty faded. I use tire shine and that looks great, but I want something more permanent. How long will Back to Black last? I've considered spray on bed liner. What do you think?

Back to Black works quite well, long lasting and low sheen. I also use it under the hood too.

[GBS]

Here a detail I did of my wheels and well wheels (in addition to a Rotor Restoration) that I posted on another Forum a while back:

Rotor Restoration
Wheel Well, Brake Calipers, Suspension & Undercarriage Detail
Wheels Detail

This whole detail started out because I wanted to take my rotors and paint everything that does not come in contact with the brake pads. I hope to replace the rotors and uprade the calipers in the not to distant future but until then I didn't like the looks of them. After pulling the wheels and rotors off one thing lead to another and I ended up detailing the whole car.

Rotor Restoration:

After I pulled the rotors off I sprayed them down with Poorboy's Spray and Rinse Wheel Cleaner (very strong stuff) then I hit them with the pressure washer. Next I used a couple of different wire brush attachments on my drill then sanded down the parts to be painted. Next I cleaned them up with Acetone and taped up the both sides of the rotors that come in contact with the brake pads. Finally I sprayed them with 3 coats of 900 degree VHT Brake Caliper Paint.

I ended up letting the paint cure for 10 days before I put the rotors back on. Since the car was sitting up I jack stands I fiqured I might as well detail the wheel wells, brake calipers, undercarriage, suspension and wheels before I put back together.

Rotors Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Rotor_Before1.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Rotors_Before2.jpg

After Pre-Paint Preparation:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Rotors_PrePaint.jpg

After Painted:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Rotors_Painted.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Rotors_Front1.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Rotors_Front2.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Rotors_WheelFront.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Rotors_WheelBack.jpg

Wheel Wells, Brake Calipers, Suspension & Undercarriage

I purchased the car in early 2008 from the original owner. Other than lots of swirls the car was in great shape, however the previous owner was not into detailing the wheels, wheel wheels and brake calipers. This is the 2nd time I have pulled the wheels off. Here's a few pics from the 1st time I pulled the wheels off:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/ViperBefore_RearRightWell.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/ViperBefore_LeftFrontWell.jpg

I used Poorboy's Spray & Rinse Wheel Cleaner, Simple Green and soap and water to clean off all the grease and dirt.

Painted Steel - Appled Duragloss 501
Wheel Wells - Applied Klasse All-In-One
Exhaust - Scrubbed with P32s Polishing Soap using #000 Steel wool

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Undercarriage_1.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Undercarriage_2.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Undercarriage2.jpg


Wheels:

The wheels where in great shape with no curb rash but there was a lot of brown spots in the paint on the front wheels that I have never been able to get off. They have been bugging me for a while so this time I thought I would try and polish off the ones that I could get to with a polisher.

Here a pic of a wheel the first time I pulled them off the car:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/ViperBefore_RearRightWheel.jpg

Example of spots on front wheels:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Wheels_Spots.jpg

Polished using s 5.5" LC pad using Pinnacle Swirl Remover.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Wheels_Polish.jpg[/IMG

After Polishing (there was a little polish still on the wheel in the pic):
[IMG]http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Wheels_AfterPolish.jpg
The polish did a nice job removing the spots I could get to. There are still a few spots that I could not reach with the polisher. I might try to polish them using a Mother's Power Ball the next time. I also hit the inside of the wheels with the polisher. The inside of the wheels looked clean before I did but the pad was black with brake dust afterwards.

Wheels after 1 coat of Klasse AIO and 1 coat of Collinite 845.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Wheels_FinishInside.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Wheels_FinishOutside.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Wheels_OnFront.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Wheels_OnBack.jpg

[KRATEDISEASE]

I use my power washer.

[J TNT]

I use Pledge in the inner wheel well plastic . ;)

[slitherv10]

Here a detail I did of my wheels and well wheels (in addition to a Rotor Restoration) that I posted on another Forum a while back:

Rotor Restoration
Wheel Well, Brake Calipers, Suspension & Undercarriage Detail
Wheels Detail

This whole detail started out because I wanted to take my rotors and paint everything that does not come in contact with the brake pads. I hope to replace the rotors and uprade the calipers in the not to distant future but until then I didn't like the looks of them. After pulling the wheels and rotors off one thing lead to another and I ended up detailing the whole car.

Rotor Restoration:

After I pulled the rotors off I sprayed them down with Poorboy's Spray and Rinse Wheel Cleaner (very strong stuff) then I hit them with the pressure washer. Next I used a couple of different wire brush attachments on my drill then sanded down the parts to be painted. Next I cleaned them up with Acetone and taped up the both sides of the rotors that come in contact with the brake pads. Finally I sprayed them with 3 coats of 900 degree VHT Brake Caliper Paint.

I ended up letting the paint cure for 10 days before I put the rotors back on. Since the car was sitting up I jack stands I fiqured I might as well detail the wheel wells, brake calipers, undercarriage, suspension and wheels before I put back together.

Rotors Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Rotor_Before1.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Rotors_Before2.jpg

After Pre-Paint Preparation:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Rotors_PrePaint.jpg

After Painted:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Rotors_Painted.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Rotors_Front1.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Rotors_Front2.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Rotors_WheelFront.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Rotors_WheelBack.jpg

Wheel Wells, Brake Calipers, Suspension & Undercarriage

I purchased the car in early 2008 from the original owner. Other than lots of swirls the car was in great shape, however the previous owner was not into detailing the wheels, wheel wheels and brake calipers. This is the 2nd time I have pulled the wheels off. Here's a few pics from the 1st time I pulled the wheels off:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/ViperBefore_RearRightWell.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/ViperBefore_LeftFrontWell.jpg

I used Poorboy's Spray & Rinse Wheel Cleaner, Simple Green and soap and water to clean off all the grease and dirt.

Painted Steel - Appled Duragloss 501
Wheel Wells - Applied Klasse All-In-One
Exhaust - Scrubbed with P32s Polishing Soap using #000 Steel wool

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Undercarriage_1.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Undercarriage_2.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Undercarriage2.jpg


Wheels:

The wheels where in great shape with no curb rash but there was a lot of brown spots in the paint on the front wheels that I have never been able to get off. They have been bugging me for a while so this time I thought I would try and polish off the ones that I could get to with a polisher.

Here a pic of a wheel the first time I pulled them off the car:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/ViperBefore_RearRightWheel.jpg

Example of spots on front wheels:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Wheels_Spots.jpg

Polished using s 5.5" LC pad using Pinnacle Swirl Remover.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Wheels_Polish.jpg[/IMG

After Polishing (there was a little polish still on the wheel in the pic):
[IMG]http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Wheels_AfterPolish.jpg
The polish did a nice job removing the spots I could get to. There are still a few spots that I could not reach with the polisher. I might try to polish them using a Mother's Power Ball the next time. I also hit the inside of the wheels with the polisher. The inside of the wheels looked clean before I did but the pad was black with brake dust afterwards.

Wheels after 1 coat of Klasse AIO and 1 coat of Collinite 845.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Wheels_FinishInside.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Wheels_FinishOutside.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Wheels_OnFront.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Wheels_OnBack.jpg

WOW !! That is excellent work. Parts look brand new !!..That's something I will get going on before spring. thanks for that

[GBS]

WOW !! That is excellent work. Parts look brand new !!..That's something I will get going on before spring. thanks for that

It would make a nice winter project. When I lived in Michigan I lived right across the river from Ontario. It's nice not to have to deal with the cold and snow any more. I was in Toronto on business back in May.

[C.J]

I've used Simple Green on the inside of the wheels and it works pretty well. I've used the Adams undercarriage spray for the wheelwells too, and that turned out nicely.

Never heard of Poorboys...gotta check that out as the trim pieces look impressive. How does the Poorboys trim restorer hold up over time?

[Leslie]

GBS-nice job!

[GBS]

I've used Simple Green on the inside of the wheels and it works pretty well. I've used the Adams undercarriage spray for the wheelwells too, and that turned out nicely.

Never heard of Poorboys...gotta check that out as the trim pieces look impressive. How does the Poorboys trim restorer hold up over time?

I've never used Poorboy's trim restorer. On the wheels I used Poorboy's Spray and Rinse Wheel Cleaner. It's very strong stuff and is something I would only recommend if the wheels really need cleaning (like the before pictures in my reply). After cleaning the wheel wells and suspension, I used Duragloss 501 on painted steel parts and Klasse All-In-One on Plastic. Duragloss 501 comes off easy. Klasse All-In-One is harder to get off but it has great durability. It's an acrylic product and works well on most surfaces. Works great on glass. Both Duragloss 501 and Klasse All-In-One also have good cleaning ability so they also help getting dirty surfaces clean in addition to providing protection.

[GBS]

GBS-nice job!

Thanks Leslie! After painting the rotors and cleaning the Wheels, Wheel Wells etc. I detailed the engine bay, interior and polished the paint to get all the swirls out. The car was in great shape when I purchased it from the original owner but by the time I finished detailing it, it looked like new. I could post pictures of the whole detail if anyone is interested.

[St.Char]

The insides of my wheels get cleaned with a soft brush every time I wash the car so they don't ever get that dirty.

I do this after every time I drive, just before putting it away.

[VYPR BYT]

So I see a lot of different ideas on various products to try on the wheel wells but my cloth will just continue to snag since the surface is rough from tiny stones hitting them.
Anybody ever smooth their wells down with sandpaper or anything?
I feel I need to address this before worrying about the clean black sheen stuff.

Has anyone dealt with this?
Mike

[eric@thompsonracing.us]

Just like ICPRAY said, Adam's has a great line of wheel and tire products.

I use Adam's Deep Wheel Cleaner on my wheels and brake calipers to remove the brake dust. It works really well, and you can even use it on your paint. I use Wheel Woolies to clean the wheels. Wheel woolies are nice because you can clean the wheels, including the inner barrels, without pulling the wheels.
I use Adam's APC to clean the wheel wells and a Wheel Woolies Boar's Hair Brush to clean the wells. Adam's APC is essentially industrial strength Simple Green. Once, every winter, I pull the wheels and pull the wheel wells and give them a good cleaning individually, including all the suspension and brake parts. I will clay the wheels once a year to make sure all deposits are removed. I will follow it up with one round of Adam's Revive Polish and seal with Adam's Liquid Paint Sealant. You want to use a durable sealant

After each regular car wash, I spray the wells with Adam's Invisible Undercarriage Spray. It turns the chalky wells into a deep black, essentially making them disappear. When I remove the wells, I will hit them with a coat of Adam's Super VRT.


I am the Phila. dealer for Adam's, so feel free to PM me if you need help with the products or ordering. We host a detail clinic at least once a year because they are a great way for people to learn how to properly care for their car. Find out if there is an Adam's Detail clinic near you, and make sure to go! Our clinic is FREE to attend and usually have a good showing of Vipers.

[VENMPWR]

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