How Detailers Clean Wheels — The Right Sequence, Explained
Ask any detailer where they start on a car, and the answer is almost always the same — the wheels. It is not an arbitrary choice. Wheels are the dirtiest part of any car, covered in a combination of brake dust, road grime, iron fallout, and general filth that builds up fast and bonds to the surface if left long enough. Getting them clean first means none of that contamination migrates onto panels you have already cleaned, and it sets the standard for everything that follows. The sequence matters just as much as the products. Here is how to do it properly. Step 1 — Rinse First, Always Before any product goes on, rinse the wheel thoroughly with a pressure washer or hose. This removes loose surface dirt and grit that would otherwise turn your cleaning stage into an abrasive scrubbing exercise. Pay particular attention to the barrel behind the spokes and the inner arch — both areas collect far more debris than they appear to from the outside. This step is short but important. Starting with...