Tire Cleaning Tips: Keep Your Tires Looking New and Lasting Longer
The tires on your car or truck are designed to keep you connected to the road and in control. That constant contact means they’re bound to get covered in dirt, grime, and who knows what from city streets, highways, and gravel roads. While it might seem futile, regular cleanings, along with checking the tread and air pressure every month, can help them last longer, saving you money. Plus, clean tires just look great! Let’s review some tire cleaning tips, including how to clean brake dust buildup off rims, from the professionals at Les Schwab.
Wheel Cleaning Best Practices
Properly cleaning your tires starts with your wheels. Whether your wheels are powder-coated, paint-coated, clear-coated, chrome-plated, bare polished, or steel, the process is nearly the same.
For great results, clean your wheels with mild soap and water. Use a soft rag or brush. Don’t use anything abrasive. If your region uses deicers like salt and magnesium chloride on winter roads, clean them more often to avoid pitting and other damage.
1. Gather the Right Supplies
To properly wash your tires, you’ll need a bucket, a soft-bristle brush for the sidewall, a more rigid brush for the tread, dish soap (or specialized tire-cleaning soap), water, and a towel that you don’t mind ruining.
2. Pre-Wash: Remove Loose Dirt and Debris
Using a high-pressure nozzle on a water hose, spray down your tires. Remove any visible dirt from the sidewall. If possible, remove rocks from the tread. As you go, rinse off your newly cleaned wheels again to keep dirt from collecting. Allow your tires and wheels to dry before moving to the next step.
3. Apply a Tire Cleaner
If you have a specialized tire cleaner that helps protect rubber from cracking, use it now, following the tire cleaner’s instructions. If you don’t have a special cleaner, dish soap and water (about an ounce of dish soap per gallon of water) will work. Simply spray or apply the cleaning solution to the tire and then scrub lightly. Finally, rinse the tires and wheels.
4. Scrubbing for a Deep Clean
Scrubbing your tires until they are clean requires a soft-bristle brush and a minute or two per tire. Don’t leave any dirt on the sidewall. Also, don’t scrub so hard that you scratch the rubber or lettering.
5. Rinse and Dry Properly
Once you’re done scrubbing and cleaning the tires, rinse them completely. Don’t forget to rinse your wheels as well. Now, using your towel, wipe the wheel and then the tire to remove the last bit of grime.
Les Schwab pro tip: If your sidewalls have white lettering that won’t come clean, a smooth, flat rock can do the trick. Simply rub the lettering with the rock and watch the yellowing disappear.
Optional: Adding Tire Dressing
For that professional look, a silicone or water-based tire spray is ideal. As a comparison, silicone-based sprays last longer and produce a better shine, while water-based options are often better for the environment. Whatever option you choose, simply follow the directions on the bottle.
Tire Cleaning for Seasonal & Long-Term Storage
To keep your tires and wheels looking great, and to help them last longer, clean them every time you wash your car or truck. Additionally, if you change to seasonal tires in the fall and spring, we recommend checking that the wheels and tires are clean and dry before they go into storage. This helps prevent corrosion and cracking. Learn how to store your wheels and tires.
Environmental Considerations
Along with eco-friendly tires, you can do your part in protecting the environment when you clean your tires and wheels. Using eco-friendly cleaners as well as turning off the water when not in use can help.
Additional Tire Maintenance Tips
Getting the most life out of your tires includes checking the tire pressure monthly, inspecting the tread for abnormal wear, and looking for cracks in the rubber or valve stem. We also recommend rotating your tires every 5,000 miles. When you have Les Schwab tires, those rotations are free with America’s Best Tire Warranty.
Tire Cleaning FAQs
What’s the best way to clean whitewall tires?
The best way to clean the white wall portion of a tire is with a smooth, flat rock. Simply scrub the white lettering with the rock to achieve a professional look.
Can I use dish soap to clean my tires?
Yes, using an ounce of dish soap to a gallon of water, along with a soft-bristled brush, is a great way to clean your wheels and tires.
How often should I clean my tires?
Cleaning your tires and wheels every time you wash your car can help them look better and last longer.
Does tire shine damage tires?
Tire shine products are designed to help preserve the rubber on today’s tires. Look for either silicon- or water-based tire shine products for best results.
Keep Your Tires Looking and Performing Their Best with Les Schwab
You’ll find more than tires and wheels at your local Les Schwab. You’ll also find professionals who pride themselves on doing the job right and helping customers find what they need for what and where they drive. That includes tire maintenance advice. From tires and wheels to brakes, alignment, batteries, and suspension, we’re here when you need us.