How Often Should You Clean Your Brakes and Wheels, and How to Do It?

Maintaining clean brakes and wheels is essential for both the performance and appearance of your vehicle. Regular cleaning not only helps in prolonging the lifespan of these components but also ensures a safer driving experience. In this blog, we’ll cover how often you should clean your brakes and wheels, why it’s important, and the best practices for achieving a spotless finish. We’ll also guide you through the choice between different cleaners and tyre shines to meet your needs.

Why Clean Your Wheels and Brakes?

1. Safety: Dirty brakes and wheels can negatively impact vehicle performance. Brake dust accumulation can affect braking efficiency, while dirty wheels can lead to brake overheating. Keeping these components clean ensures that your vehicle remains safe and responsive.

2. Performance: Regular cleaning helps prevent the buildup of brake dust, grime, and road salt, which can cause corrosion and reduce the efficiency of your braking system and wheels. Clean components function better and last longer.

3. Aesthetics: Clean wheels and brakes not only improve the look of your vehicle but also reflect your attention to detail. Regular cleaning ensures your vehicle remains attractive and well-maintained.

How Often Should You Clean Your Brakes and Wheels?

1. Weekly: For those who drive in harsh conditions—such as near coastal areas with high salt content or in areas with heavy pollution—a weekly cleaning schedule is advisable. This helps prevent corrosive buildup that can damage your wheels and braking system.

2. Monthly: For regular drivers, a monthly deep clean is usually sufficient. This interval helps remove brake dust and grime that can accumulate over time, ensuring both performance and aesthetics are maintained.

3. Before Long Trips: If you’re planning a long journey, it’s wise to clean your wheels and brakes before hitting the road. This helps maintain braking performance and reduces the risk of brake-related issues during your trip.

How to Clean Your Wheels

1. Choose the Right Cleaner: Select a high-quality wheel cleaner suited to your needs.

• Mag Magic: This powerful, fast-acting, acid-based mag wheel cleaner is perfect for tough grime and aluminum wheels. It requires no scrubbing and is highly effective but is not suitable for polished metals. If your wheel caliper is not painted we recommend you use Terminator.
• Terminator Wheel Cleaner & Degreaser: A non-acidic, alkaline wheel cleaner that’s excellent for regular maintenance. It cleans and degreases effectively, and while it might require scrubbing for very soiled wheels, it’s gentle on various finishes.
• RG Degreaser: While RG Degreaser is not specifically for wheels and tyres, it is still highly effective. RG is great for under guards, wheels and brakes. Being a multi purpose product you can use on heavy grime on your paintwork, this can reduce the numbers of products required for a great clean.

2. Apply Cleaner: Spray the cleaner generously onto the wheels. Allow it to sit for a few minutes to break down the dirt and brake dust.

3. Rinse and Dry: Rinse off the cleaner with water ensuring all residues are removed. This is most effectively done with a pressure washer as the pressure removes the need in most applications to agitate. If you only have a garden hose, you may need to agitate (ie. scrub with a wheel brush). Dry the wheels with a microfiber towel to prevent water spots and maintain shine.

How to Clean Your Brakes

1. Use Brake Cleaner: Opt for a quality brake cleaner such as X55 Brake Cleaner. It’s designed to remove brake dust, grease, and grime quickly and efficiently. X55 dries fast and leaves minimal residue, though it is flammable, so handle with care.

2. Apply and Wipe: Spray the brake cleaner onto the braking components, focusing on the brake discs or drums, calipers and pads. Wipe away any remaining dirt with a clean cloth. Ensure the brakes are dry before reassembling or driving.

Finishing Touch: Tyre Shine

1. Clean and Dry Tyres: Before applying any tyre shine, ensure your tyres are clean and dry. This ensures an even application and better adhesion of the product.

2. Apply Tyre Shine: Choose the right product based on your preference for shine and safety.

• Pro Shine Tyre Shine: Is a silicone based tyre shine that provides a ultra-high gloss finish and long-lasting shine.
• Ez Sheen Tyre Shine: A water-based tyre shine that transforms dull tyres to shiny with a gloss finish. Preferred by paint and panel shops for being silicone-free.

3. Use Proper Application Techniques: Apply tyre shine in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight. Spray or brush the product onto the tyre surface and allow it to dry completely before driving.

Choosing the Right Cleaner and Tyre Shine

1. Alkaline vs. Acid-Based Cleaners:

• Alkaline Cleaners: Most wheel cleaners are alkaline (basic), ideal for cleaning dirt, grease, and organic stains. They are safer for regular use and suitable for various wheel finishes.
• Acid-Based Cleaners: These are more powerful and effective at removing stubborn brake dust and ingrained dirt. They can handle rust and heavy contaminants but may damage certain finishes if not used properly. Always follow instructions and test on a small area first.

2. Silicone vs. Silicone-Free Tyre Shines:

• Silicone-Based: Provides a high-gloss finish and long-lasting shine but can be flammable and may not be preferred by all detailers. (Omikron Pro Shine Tyre Shine).
• Silicone-Free: Offers a glossy finish without the risks associated with silicone. It’s often preferred in professional settings for its safety and compatibility with various finishes. This is most commonly used in panel beating or paint shops as silicone can float and affect paintwork when being done. (Omikron EZ Sheen Tyre Shine)

Final Thoughts

Regular cleaning of your brakes and wheels is crucial for maintaining vehicle performance, safety, and appearance. By adhering to a proper cleaning schedule and choosing the right products, you ensure that your vehicle remains in top condition. Whether using Mag Magic for tough grime, X55 Brake Cleaner for efficient brake cleaning, or selecting the ideal tyre shine, the right approach will keep your vehicle looking and performing its best.

Happy cleaning and driving! 🚗✨