How to clean alloy wheels in five minutes

Brake dust is metal. It bakes onto the rim every time you stop. A sponge and soap move it around. A wheel cleaner lifts it.

Start cold

Never spray a hot wheel. The foam dries before it can work and leaves marks. Park in the shade or wait twenty minutes after a drive.

Spray, wait, rinse

Cover the whole rim, including the inside of the spokes. Wait one to two minutes. You will see the foam turn brown. That is the dust coming off. Rinse from the top down with plenty of water.

Only brush if you must

Most wheels come clean with a rinse. If yours has a year of dust on it, use a soft brush after the foam has worked. Rinse again.

Then the tire

A clean rim next to a grey tire looks unfinished. Read the next guide for the one-minute tire finish.