[digitalcos]

Hey guys-

I just installed my bullitt take offs that I painted with duplicolor wheel paint, no clear coat. The wheels are looking good, but the tires are pretty brown and dirty looking.

The tire cleaners that I looked at at the parts store said they shouldn't be used on non-factory painted wheels. I'm assuming they could strip the paint? Considering I didn't clear coat the wheels (I wanted an old school matte look to the centers), I figure I should be careful.

So, any recommendations on the best way to get the tires clean without risking my painted wheels? Any advise would be appreciated.

[exospawn]

I use a gel product call "Final Touch".

The spray on foam stuff makes a mess of the rims, and tends to fling on the body panels when you drive those first couple miles after cleaning.

Armor All tends to turn my tires orange after a week, so I don't use it.

[digitalcos]

I just scrubbed them with a brush and I went with Eagle One Tire Detailer. which has a sponge applicator, so I could easily keep it off the wheels. They look damn good.

Thanks.

[jim293]

I have used Wesleys before and never had a problem.

[Jim D.]

Some of the stronger tire cleaners can permanently spot or cloud the coating (clear or colored) on some wheels.

Generally there's not a problem with chrome wheels -- just coated wheels.

I've generally cleaned just one tire at a time by misting the wheel cleaner along the sidewall and away from the wheel (if possible) or on a brush and then scrub.

Keeping a bucket of suds and an old wash mitt, I'll then clean the wheel to ensure there's no remnants of concentrated tire cleaner on the wheel.

Then rinse thoroughly.

It's not something I do all the time, but it's good to do a thorough cleaning at least once a month. Your frequency will vary greatly depending on tire, driving habits and tire dressing.