It’s been another summer of orange cones, but the worst aspect of road construction is just starting. The jackhammers have stopped pounding, the rubble has been cleared away, and now the asphalt trucks are lining up along the highways. Ugh! Fresh tar. Drive over a newly paved road and you spend hours cleaning tar off your wheels and tires. The good news is that regular detailing of your tires and wheels will prolong their life and keep your vehicle looking sharp.

How to detail your wheels and tires:

• When washing your vehicle, clean the wheels and tires first to avoid overspray or grime from getting onto clean panels. Use a soft bristle brush and separate wash and rinse buckets.
• Select a cleaning product appropriate for your wheels. Coated, painted or anodized wheels can’t handle chemicals as harsh as roughcast aluminum and chrome. Check product labels and if in doubt, use an all-wheel product.
• Brush selection is important. You want to remove the grime without scratching the wheel finish. Start with a stiff bristled brush to remove baked-on grime, then finish with a feather bristled brush to protect the finish. Tires require a stiffer bristle and some good old elbow grease. Scrub off built up cleaners which can make your tires look brown and worn out.
• Don’t let cleaners dry out. Clean wheels and tires one set at a time. After washing, rinse with a strong jet of water.
• Dry wheels to remove any last vestige of brake dust and to prevent water spots. Designate special microfiber or terry cloth towels just for wheel and tire cleaning. Don’t use the same towels on other parts of your vehicle.
• After they’re dry, wax your wheels with a high quality wheel protectant to seal the surface. Apply with the applicator and buff. The wax will give your wheels a new car shine and help prevent brake dust from adhering. It will also save on maintenance. Between waxings a good shot of water should keep your wheels clean.
• To make your tires look like new, apply tire dressing in multiple thin coats, allowing plenty of time to dry between coats. Tire dressings help prevent drying, cracking and fading. But avoid products that contain silicone which can deplete rubber’s natural protectants and cause tires to age prematurely.

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