Detailing tip of the week 9-5-09

[Qship5]

This weeks detailing tip is a basic one, but worth mentioning.

Make sure you use a dedicated wash mitt, brush or sponge for cleaning your wheels. You want to make sure that you don't risk getting the brake dust or grime from the wheels on your paint. Wash the wheels first when washing the car and if you rinse the wheel brush or mitt in your rinse bucket, make sure to dump the water and refill with clean water before doing the rest of the car.

[Mr.Big]

Why do you suggest washing the wheels "first"?:dontknow: I've always washed from the top down and the wheels and tires very last...

[Qship5]

Top down is the best way to wash the car, but I wash the wheels first so that I'm not getting any of the dirt from the wheels onto the clean car if I were to wash them last. This way I get the dirtiest part of the car washed first and then there's no chance of anything spraying off the wheels and onto the car when brushing or rinsing them.

After the wheels and tires are clean, I wash the car from the top down.

[jragan]

Also, depending on your wheel design, they can take longer to wash than the entire car and you don't want your car sitting there water-spotting if you wash it first.

[Fubar]

I usually wash my wheels first also but I have special logic for doing it that way.

[snowball]

I usually wash my wheels first also but I have special logic for doing it that way.

Please let us know this special logic.....:questionmark:

[Fubar]

That was supposed to read "no special logic."

[m topls]

Top down is the best way to wash the car, but I wash the wheels first so that I'm not getting any of the dirt from the wheels onto the clean car if I were to wash them last. This way I get the dirtiest part of the car washed first and then there's no chance of anything spraying off the wheels and onto the car when brushing or rinsing them.

After the wheels and tires are clean, I wash the car from the top down.

This is also how my dad taught me to wash cars years ago and I still do it today -- wheels first! Thank you, Mike, for sharing the good tip and explaining it.