To clean a car wheel well effectively, you typically spray a dedicated wheel well cleaner or degreaser onto the surface, allowing it time to lift and loosen dirt before rinsing.
Understanding Wheel Well Cleaning
Cleaning your car's wheel wells is an important step in maintaining your vehicle's appearance and preventing the buildup of dirt, grime, road salt, and other contaminants that can cause rust and deterioration. Unlike the painted exterior, wheel wells are often made of plastic, metal, or a textured material designed to protect the vehicle's underbody. They accumulate significant amounts of debris.
The Cleaning Process
Based on the provided reference and standard detailing practices, the core method involves applying a cleaning product and letting it work.
Here's a breakdown of the steps:
- Prepare the Area: Ensure the vehicle is cool to the touch, especially the wheels and brakes, to avoid product drying too quickly. It's best to work in a shaded area.
- Wet the Wheel Well: Optionally, you can rinse the wheel well first with water to remove loose dirt.
- Apply the Cleaner: According to the reference, you should "spray [the cleaner/degreaser] on the surface." Ensure good coverage of the entire wheel well area.
- Allow to Dwell: "Then just give it a moment to start lifting. And dwelling." This dwell time allows the cleaner to penetrate and break down tough grime, mud, and grease. The specific dwell time will depend on the product used and the level of contamination, but usually a few minutes is sufficient.
- Agitate (Optional but Recommended): For heavily soiled wheel wells, use a dedicated wheel well brush or a long-handled brush to agitate the cleaner and scrub away stubborn dirt.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Use a strong stream of water from a hose or pressure washer (on a safe setting) to completely rinse away the cleaner and the loosened dirt.
- Repeat if Necessary: For extremely dirty wheel wells, you may need to repeat the process.
- Dry (Optional): While wheel wells don't need to be perfectly dry, wiping down accessible areas can help prevent water spots.
- Consider Protection: After cleaning, some detailers apply a protectant specifically designed for plastic or rubber components to keep the wheel wells looking black and new, and to make future cleaning easier.
The reference also notes that you "can spray this on all your undercarriage components as well as your wheel." This indicates the versatility of some wheel well cleaners for other parts underneath the car, but always check the specific product's instructions and compatibility.
Essential Tools & Products
- Wheel Well Cleaner/Degreaser: A product specifically formulated for this purpose.
- Hose or Pressure Washer: For rinsing.
- Wheel Well Brush: A stiff brush designed for the contours of the wheel well.
- Bucket (Optional): If pre-rinsing or using a brush with soapy water.
Cleaning your wheel wells regularly not only improves your car's appearance but also contributes to its long-term preservation.
