How to: cleaning wheel wells

Kar don · 07-01-2002, 02:43 AM

Well I know wheel wells is one of the most dreaded tasks. I have found a simple way to clean them. What i do is mix simple green and water in a spray bottle (50/50 mix). I then spray the dry wheel wells with the solution, and let it sit for 3-5 min. Then i take an old kicthen sponge/scouring pad and spray it with the solution. Then use the scouring side and go away at scrubbing the wheel wells. I recommened wearing rubber gloves, as this is a nasty job. Once finished, rinse the wheel wells and dry them with an old terry towel. After they have dried I like to spray them with stoners trim shine. It gives a finished look to them and doesnt leave it too shiney or greasey. It also protects the plastic. Here is a picture after i cleaned the wheel wells on the ML.

To remove this ad, register today or login if you already are registered!

Kar don · 07-01-2002, 02:44 AM

another

Kar don · 07-01-2002, 02:45 AM

last one

DtS · 07-01-2002, 07:22 AM

Thanks for the pics! Looks great!

revstriker · 07-05-2002, 03:08 PM

Looks good! I too use simple green for a lot of different things. Really good stuff!

bjwebster · 07-07-2002, 09:28 PM

In the next week or so, when i do a full detail, Im gonna definetly use the simple green for my wheel wells, Ali, they look real good.

Kar don · 08-23-2002, 02:46 PM

here is an updated pic, i quickly recleaned the wheel wells yesterday, here is a pic.

EdS320 · 10-02-2002, 12:50 AM

Thanks for the wheel well cleaning suggestion, never thought to hand scrub them. I did it today it worked great and look great. My neighbor thought I was nuts though....but I'm happy.

JustinTRW · 12-22-2002, 02:17 AM

Once they are clean, all you need to do is give them a quick wipe with a sponge every time you wash. If your wheel doesn't fill the wheelwell, it really helps give the car a more polished look.

What about the wheelwells that are felt lined? My car has this in the rear, but it never seems to look dirty, so all I do is hose it down.

Clean Dean · 05-04-2003, 02:24 PM

Certain things about an automobile shows me pride in ownership and care:

Clean vehicle trim (not stained with polish and wax)

Lower bumpers (free of old bug residue and removable scuffs)

CLEAN GLASS (especially in the hard to reach corners)

Tires properly cleaned prior to being dressed!!!

Removal of all overspray near wheelwells!

Clean engine .

But the # 1 thing I immediately notice about a detailed vehicle is thoughly cleaned and dressed wheelwells (especially SUV's). That owner or detailer has taken the time to "complete the job"

Thumbs Up. Great post !!

Kar don · 05-06-2003, 01:56 PM

Thank Dean! I use meguiars engine kote on them now. Works even better!

clco · 05-18-2003, 02:09 AM

Do you need to take the wheels off when you clean the wheel wells? Thanks for the info.

p.s. great job, I like the look

Clean Dean · 05-18-2003, 02:31 AM

Yes... What do you think AlBoston ???

Kar don · 05-18-2003, 04:11 AM

DAMN! id just drive through a puddle of tire shine, hehe. That will clean the wheel wells.

(just kidding)

Clean Dean · 05-28-2003, 03:30 AM

Rain, Rain, and more Rain. Finally this Tuesday we had a 1 day break from the rain .... So what do you do...????

Clean Dean · 05-28-2003, 03:30 AM

You bet !!!

Kar don · 05-28-2003, 11:12 AM

WOW! you never stop impressing me! lol. That is so clean! what did you use on the tires and everything else?

Clean Dean · 06-01-2003, 03:05 AM

On the wheels ... Details Plus non acid Wheel Cleaner.

On the tires ... Simple Green 50% to clean + DP Lustre All Dressing.

Wheel wells... Simple Green 50% to clean + Son of a gun protectant (cheap... got a steel on this stuff a while ago and I use it in wheel wells only.)

I always clean my wheels, tires, and wheel wells before washing. I have a 5 Gallon bucket with all of my wheels & tires arsenal (chemicals & tools) and I always start the exterior cleaning this way. I have about 5 different brushes dedicated for this task. I try to keep my wife's car pristine at all times because I found an inexpensive way to advertise for my biz. What do you think ???

Kar don · 06-01-2003, 01:37 PM

looks good dean! Will be very visible on that ML. Looks incredible.

jimmydagreek · 06-03-2003, 12:36 PM

Thanks for all of the tips Dean...

Mr.PS · 08-17-2003, 12:17 AM

Wow amazing pics clean dean I find simple green to be my new best friend got a steal for 9.50 at the Ace Hardware store for a gallon of it. Alboston how do you like Engine Kote I got it but havent used it yet hopefully tommarow how much should I spray to get a nice new look. ? Does it last a while. ?

Brian_I. · 09-11-2003, 07:53 PM

Wow those wells look great! I never ever would have thought that people actually spent more than 2 minutes on wheel wells when washing their cars. Guess I was wrong. I think I'm gonna go get a bottle of Simple Green and get started right away.

lars · 11-15-2003, 05:48 PM

Rotated my wheels today and took the opportunity to tackle the wheel wells more thoroughly than I can with the wheels on the car. Al's instructions worked great, though I found a soft scrubbing brush worked better than a sponge.

The 50-50 Simple Green solution and a brush or sponge also cleaned up the brake dust from the inside of my wheels, leaving them like new in just a few minutes each.

Greg Elmassian · 05-02-2004, 09:47 PM

I like cleaning my wheel wells also.

But with aluminum doors and other components, I'm a bit paranoid about using simple green. It has caused hydrogen embrittlement in aluminum.

See this link on how it has destroyed aluminum parts in a chinook helicopter.

http://www.chinook-helicopter.com/ma.../cleaners.html

I use wheel cleaner, and once it is clean, a detailing solution, like a tire treatment, or vinyl treatment is great.

Greg

lars · 05-02-2004, 11:01 PM

An interesting post, given the abundance of aluminum in suspension pieces.

07-01-2002, 02:44 AM	#2
Kar don Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: GMT -8 hours Posts: 5,364 Drives: Mercedes-Benz	another __________________ 08 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Iridium Silver/Black Leather - P2, AMG pkg, Parktronic, Ipod 07 Lexus GS350 Smoky Granite Mica/Ash leather - NAV, 18's, Sirius, AFS, ventilated seats, & Rear spoiler (gone!)

07-01-2002, 02:45 AM	#3
Kar don Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: GMT -8 hours Posts: 5,364 Drives: Mercedes-Benz	last one __________________ 08 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Iridium Silver/Black Leather - P2, AMG pkg, Parktronic, Ipod 07 Lexus GS350 Smoky Granite Mica/Ash leather - NAV, 18's, Sirius, AFS, ventilated seats, & Rear spoiler (gone!)

07-01-2002, 07:22 AM	#4
DtS MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 2,313 Drives: C200 Kompressor	Thanks for the pics! Looks great! __________________ DtS - 2001 C200 Kompressor, Brilliant Silver Auto, Schätz exhaust tips, MB Audio10, Fancy cupholder, Swedish floor mats

07-05-2002, 03:08 PM	#5
revstriker Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Obama Land Posts: 11,905 Drives: K Car	Looks good! I too use simple green for a lot of different things. Really good stuff! __________________ The end of Liberal Rule (Hopefully)

08-23-2002, 02:46 PM	#7
Kar don Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: GMT -8 hours Posts: 5,364 Drives: Mercedes-Benz	here is an updated pic, i quickly recleaned the wheel wells yesterday, here is a pic. __________________ 08 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Iridium Silver/Black Leather - P2, AMG pkg, Parktronic, Ipod 07 Lexus GS350 Smoky Granite Mica/Ash leather - NAV, 18's, Sirius, AFS, ventilated seats, & Rear spoiler (gone!)

07-07-2002, 09:28 PM	#6
bjwebster Almost a Member! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NC Posts: 39	In the next week or so, when i do a full detail, Im gonna definetly use the simple green for my wheel wells, Ali, they look real good.

10-02-2002, 12:50 AM	#8
EdS320 Almost a Member! Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Atlanta., GA Posts: 54 Drives: S320	Thanks for the wheel well cleaning suggestion, never thought to hand scrub them. I did it today it worked great and look great. My neighbor thought I was nuts though....but I'm happy.

12-22-2002, 02:17 AM	#9
JustinTRW MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,080 Drives: C32 AMG	Once they are clean, all you need to do is give them a quick wipe with a sponge every time you wash. If your wheel doesn't fill the wheelwell, it really helps give the car a more polished look. What about the wheelwells that are felt lined? My car has this in the rear, but it never seems to look dirty, so all I do is hose it down. __________________ Regards, Justin

05-04-2003, 02:24 PM	#10
Clean Dean Almost a Member! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Monmouth County, NJ Posts: 27 Drives: 2000 ML 320, 1993 500 SEL	Ahhh clean wheel wells... Certain things about an automobile shows me pride in ownership and care: Clean vehicle trim (not stained with polish and wax) Lower bumpers (free of old bug residue and removable scuffs) CLEAN GLASS (especially in the hard to reach corners) Tires properly cleaned prior to being dressed!!! Removal of all overspray near wheelwells! Clean engine . But the # 1 thing I immediately notice about a detailed vehicle is thoughly cleaned and dressed wheelwells (especially SUV's). That owner or detailer has taken the time to "complete the job" Thumbs Up. Great post !! __________________ www.likenewautos.net/

05-06-2003, 01:56 PM	#11
Kar don Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: GMT -8 hours Posts: 5,364 Drives: Mercedes-Benz	Thank Dean! I use meguiars engine kote on them now. Works even better! __________________ 08 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Iridium Silver/Black Leather - P2, AMG pkg, Parktronic, Ipod 07 Lexus GS350 Smoky Granite Mica/Ash leather - NAV, 18's, Sirius, AFS, ventilated seats, & Rear spoiler (gone!)

05-18-2003, 02:09 AM	#12
clco Almost a Member! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami Posts: 71 Drives: '99 E430	Do you need to take the wheels off when you clean the wheel wells? Thanks for the info. p.s. great job, I like the look

05-18-2003, 02:31 AM	#13
Clean Dean Almost a Member! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Monmouth County, NJ Posts: 27 Drives: 2000 ML 320, 1993 500 SEL	On this car ... Yes... What do you think AlBoston ??? __________________ www.likenewautos.net/

05-18-2003, 04:11 AM	#14
Kar don Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: GMT -8 hours Posts: 5,364 Drives: Mercedes-Benz	DAMN! id just drive through a puddle of tire shine, hehe. That will clean the wheel wells. (just kidding) __________________ 08 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Iridium Silver/Black Leather - P2, AMG pkg, Parktronic, Ipod 07 Lexus GS350 Smoky Granite Mica/Ash leather - NAV, 18's, Sirius, AFS, ventilated seats, & Rear spoiler (gone!)

05-28-2003, 03:30 AM	#15
Clean Dean Almost a Member! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Monmouth County, NJ Posts: 27 Drives: 2000 ML 320, 1993 500 SEL	10+ days no wash !!!! Rain, Rain, and more Rain. Finally this Tuesday we had a 1 day break from the rain .... So what do you do...???? __________________ www.likenewautos.net/

05-28-2003, 03:30 AM	#16
Clean Dean Almost a Member! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Monmouth County, NJ Posts: 27 Drives: 2000 ML 320, 1993 500 SEL	You probably guessed !! You bet !!! __________________ www.likenewautos.net/

05-28-2003, 11:12 AM	#17
Kar don Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: GMT -8 hours Posts: 5,364 Drives: Mercedes-Benz	WOW! you never stop impressing me! lol. That is so clean! what did you use on the tires and everything else? __________________ 08 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Iridium Silver/Black Leather - P2, AMG pkg, Parktronic, Ipod 07 Lexus GS350 Smoky Granite Mica/Ash leather - NAV, 18's, Sirius, AFS, ventilated seats, & Rear spoiler (gone!)

06-01-2003, 01:37 PM	#19
Kar don Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: GMT -8 hours Posts: 5,364 Drives: Mercedes-Benz	looks good dean! Will be very visible on that ML. Looks incredible. __________________ 08 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Iridium Silver/Black Leather - P2, AMG pkg, Parktronic, Ipod 07 Lexus GS350 Smoky Granite Mica/Ash leather - NAV, 18's, Sirius, AFS, ventilated seats, & Rear spoiler (gone!)

06-03-2003, 12:36 PM	#20
jimmydagreek MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SFV, SoCal Posts: 5,535 Drives: '04 Silverado Z71 - sold all my Benzes and need another!	Great Job! Thanks for all of the tips Dean...

08-17-2003, 12:17 AM	#21
Mr.PS Super Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Miami Posts: 719	Wow amazing pics clean dean I find simple green to be my new best friend got a steal for 9.50 at the Ace Hardware store for a gallon of it. Alboston how do you like Engine Kote I got it but havent used it yet hopefully tommarow how much should I spray to get a nice new look. ? Does it last a while. ?

09-11-2003, 07:53 PM	#22
Brian_I. Out Of Control!! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Staples Center Posts: 14,328 Drives: w211 & w124	Wow those wells look great! I never ever would have thought that people actually spent more than 2 minutes on wheel wells when washing their cars. Guess I was wrong. I think I'm gonna go get a bottle of Simple Green and get started right away. __________________ 2005 E320 Brilliant Silver Charcoal Leather Appearance & Premium Packages 1992 300TE

11-15-2003, 05:48 PM	#23
lars Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 437 Drives: '03 CL230M	Rotated my wheels today and took the opportunity to tackle the wheel wells more thoroughly than I can with the wheels on the car. Al's instructions worked great, though I found a soft scrubbing brush worked better than a sponge. The 50-50 Simple Green solution and a brush or sponge also cleaned up the brake dust from the inside of my wheels, leaving them like new in just a few minutes each. __________________ '03 CL230M paprika/charcoal

05-02-2004, 09:47 PM	#24
Greg Elmassian Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 131 Drives: 2003 SL	I like cleaning my wheel wells also. But with aluminum doors and other components, I'm a bit paranoid about using simple green. It has caused hydrogen embrittlement in aluminum. See this link on how it has destroyed aluminum parts in a chinook helicopter. http://www.chinook-helicopter.com/ma.../cleaners.html I use wheel cleaner, and once it is clean, a detailing solution, like a tire treatment, or vinyl treatment is great. Greg

05-02-2004, 11:01 PM	#25
lars Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 437 Drives: '03 CL230M	An interesting post, given the abundance of aluminum in suspension pieces. __________________ '03 CL230M paprika/charcoal

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread: