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CLEANING THE TIRES AND WHEELS

Never wash a vehicle that is warm from just being driven. Allow the car to stand and only wash after a substantial cooling time has been allotted. Wash in a shaded area; never wash in direct sunlight. For this, you will need a separate bucket than the one you will use for the cleaning of your car exterior. This will prevent cross-contamination of brake dust and small stones that could scratch the paint. For most wheels, chrome or clear coat, start with a quality shampoo which is usually sufficient and one of the least aggressive methods. This is also a good rule of thumb to use on painted surfaces. Always use the least aggressive method first. Brake dust cleaning products will be stronger than normal exterior shampoos. The pH level in these products are higher in order to dissolve brake dust accumulation. Spray cleaners seem to work best on dry wheels. This is another reason to make sure the vehicle has had substantial cooling time before the washing process. Be sure to get close to the wheel so that over spray will not reach the vehicle's painted surfaces. Depending upon the type of wheel being cleaned, whether it is clear coated or not, will define which product should be used. Check with the manufacturer or any reputable auto body repair shop if you're not sure your wheels are clear coated. Another way to check if your wheels are clear coated is to put a small amount of Mothers Mag & Aluminum cleaner on a soft cloth and gently rub a small section of the wheel for a few seconds. If the cloth shows black residue, you do not have clear coated wheels. If the cloth shows no evidence of black residue, your wheels are clear coated. General purpose wheel cleaners should be used on clear coated wheels in order to prevent damage to the clear coat. More aggressive type spray cleaners can be used on chrome and aluminum wheels. After shampooing or spraying, agitate the surface with a soft bristle brush which will loosen stubborn dirt and grime. Wheel cleaning solutions should never be allowed to dry on the surface. Thorough rinsing is important immediately after cleaning. Also, never use metal cleaning objects. Use only plastic or wood-handle brushes to prevent scratching. At this time, also give the tires a good scrubbing with car washing solution.
After drying clear coat wheels, follow up with a quality carnauba wax. This will prevent the buildup of brake dust and other contaminants. If you have magnesium, chrome, or aluminum wheels, the best time to polish is right after cleaning. This will prevent picking up contamination and scratching the mirror finish. It's best to wait until the final detail process before applying tire protectant and preservative.

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