If you've been driving trucks for a while, you know that keeping the wheels in good shape can really test your discipline and consistency.
Having clean and well-maintained truck wheels leads to safer driving, a longer lifespan for your wheels, better appearance, and improved overall performance.
In this article, we’ll guide you through a simple, step-by-step process for cleaning your truck rims.
You will learn a quick cleaning method for those busy mornings when you need to hit the road fast. But we also include a deeper cleaning guide for when you have more time on weekends to give your truck extra care.
There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started.
You’ll need a bristle brush, wheel cleaner, and microfiber towels for a quick cleaning fix on truck rims.
For a deeper clean on truck rims, you’ll need a tar remover, clay bar, protectants, toothbrush, and detailing spray for your wheel finishing.
The super clean process involves rinsing the wheels, applying cleaners, deep cleaning, drying, removing stubborn stains, and protecting the wheels for easier maintenance in the future.
The best way to ensure that truck rims last a long time is to establish a routine for cleaning, use wheel polish solutions, check wheel status before every trip, and keep the cleaning tools in top condition.
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Unlike car wheels, truck wheels are much larger to help create ground clearance for the truck's underbody. This means that when cleaning, you have a broader surface area to work on.
Also, many truck wheel designs (the American Racing Outlaw II, for example) have intricate contours and many holes, so there will be more hard-to-reach areas when cleaning.
But don't worry. Whether you want a quick clean fix or a thorough cleaning, we’ve detailed the tools you need and the step-by-step process in the sections below.
First, let’s address the popular debate about using cleaning solutions. Yes, you need them.
Indeed, some stains will go away with a simple dish soap and water. But when the need arises, you’ll need to use the right products formulated especially for wheels and tires.
If you're looking for a quick, simple way to make your truck look even better, this quick clean fix will work.
This fast method is perfect for daily maintenance where you don’t have access to many cleaning materials, have no time to take out the wheel, and need to hit the road as soon as possible.
Tools needed
Using a hose or other source of water, rinse the wheels off to remove loose dirt and debris before you start cleaning.
Spray the Turtle Wax T-18 evenly over the wheel surface, including the wheel.
Allow it to set for a few minutes to break down any tough grime accumulated over the wheel.
Using a soft-bristle brush, scrub the wheel surface - this includes spokes and rims.
Use the detailing brush and lug nuts for tighter areas. You can also scrub the tire down with a tire cleaner and foam sponge.
Rinse the wheels with clean water to ensure that all cleaners and dirt are washed away.
At this point, your wheels will look much more attractive than its former appearance.
You can’t go wrong with choosing a wheel cleaner. Most of them come in spray bottles, making it easier to use.
Plus, many are safe to use on all wheel materials—just check the label to confirm this. Some cleaners will mention if they shouldn’t be used on chrome-plated or alloy wheels.
After a while, you might notice that quick cleaning methods don’t fully clean the inner parts of the wheels or that some stains are more challenging to remove. That’s when a deep clean, or "super cleaning," is needed.
For super cleaning, the first approach is to rinse down the wheels to remove dirt from the surface. Next, we use cleaners to deep clean and then dry.
The fourth step is where things get interesting. You remove stubborn stains and finally protect both the wheels and tires so they stay looking great and are easier to clean and maintain in the future.
Rinse down your wheels to remove any loose dirt, debris, and brake dust on the wheel's surface.
When rinsing off the wheel, use the highest pressure setting on your garden hose, but don't worry about making it look clean. The whole point is to wash away any loose dirt or brake dust so it's easier to clean in the next step.
Pro Tip:
A pressure washer works better than a garden hose as it takes so much more brake dust off.
Since this is a super clean attempt, you want to ensure the inside of the wheel, where the barrel is, and behind the face of the wheel are cleaned as well.
To do that, you’ll have to remove the wheel using a jack to support the truck's weight. Then, using the lug nut socket, remove all the lug nuts. Also, don’t forget to remove the center cap.
Quick Tip:
If you're working on a 4,000-pound vehicle, use a floor jack with a rating of at least one-and-a-half tons (3,000 pounds). If you're lifting an 8,000-pound vehicle, get a floor jack with a rating of at least three tons (6,000 pounds).
Now that you have the complete wheel separately ready to clean up, spray the wheel cleaner on the whole wheel surface and let it sit for a few minutes.
Quick Tip:
It’s better to choose a cleaner that has iron decon in it. You'll notice it turns purple as it dissolves the iron particles embedded in the wheel's paint.
Spray the cleaner into your detailing brush to lubricate it, and use it to brush down the entire wheel surface. Since the wheel's surface is big and flat, you can start from the middle by the lug nut wells.
Quick Tip:
Many people miss the tight gap between the rim and the tire and around the valve stem at this step. So get your brush and work that cleaner in those areas.
At this point, rinsing your wheel with water will make it look more attractive and cleaner. But that’s just the beginning.
Quick Tip:
If you notice dark spots on the lug nuts wells and the center cap holes, you can focus on them with a toothbrush and wheel cleaner solution.
Unlike regular cleaning processes, which don’t consider these parts, super cleaning allows you to wash the barrels and the back of the wheels.
After spraying the wheel cleaner on the surface, use your brush to agitate the dirt on the wheel. Just like on the front surface, you can rinse it all off after washing.
Quick Tip:
You may notice some spokes that do not just come off. That is an example of permanent damage on wheels caused by neglect or no cleaning over time. The solution is to use a wheel touchup pen to cover the blemish.
In areas where you notice a tar buildup, apply the tar remover spray and use a stiff bristle brush to agitate. After rinsing off, you will see the tar melt away.
When you’re done with this, spray the entire wheel with water and then dry it with a fresh, dry microfiber towel.
After drying with microfiber towels, if you spot leftover stains, you can get rid of them using clay or a stain remover compound.
Clay bars are soft synthetic clay materials that, when rubbed against wheel paint, remove contaminants embedded in the paint.
If you’re using clay bars, there are different variants: least aggressive, mild, and aggressive. Start with the least aggressive. You don't need this entire clay bar.
Quick Tip:
Any time you use a clay bar, you should always use a lubricant. You should never rub directly on a painted surface because you could mar your paint.
Most clay bar kits come with a detailing spray, but you can use your wheel cleaner as the lubricant.
First, spray the stain with the wheel cleaner. Then, gently rub your clay bar over the stain like you're using an eraser, applying medium pressure.
Once you're done, wipe the area with a microfiber towel. The stain should be gone, and if you check the clay bar, you’ll notice it’s picked up those black specks of dirt.
If leftover stains are in the lug nut wells, especially if your hands can’t reach deep enough, you can use an electric rotary tool.
Apply some stain remover compound with your finger around the wells, then use the rotary tool to clean them off.
To protect the wheels against degradation, use a ceramic detailer and a new microfiber towel for the coating.
Quick Tip:
Wait a few minutes for the alcohol to evaporate, then spray a microfiber towel with detailing spray and work it into every corner of the wheel.
While doing this, be careful not to let the towel touch the tire.
Just like you did for the front of the wheel, don’t forget to coat the entire barrel to protect it from brake dust and make future cleanings easier.
Now that your truck wheels are thoroughly cleaned, you can reattach them to the vehicle.
But don’t forget to clean the lug nuts—use a wheel cleaner spray and a brush, and rinse them with water before putting everything back together.
Like with most parts of a truck or any vehicle, regular maintenance and inspections are needed if you want to keep them in good shape for years.
This doesn’t mean you need to visit the auto shop every weekend, but following a simple checklist like the one below can help keep your wheels in top condition for a longer time.
There’s no secret or magic product to keep truck wheels shining all the time—it’s all about regular cleaning.
Choose a day each week, every two weeks, or even once a month (depending on how often you drive and the road conditions) to give your wheels and tires a thorough rinse and wash.
This helps get rid of dirt, grease, grime, and brake dust.
You can also use this time to check the condition of your truck wheels and ensure they’re in good shape.
2. Consider wheel polish solutions
While regular deep cleaning will keep the wheels in good appearance, a wheel polish can enhance their brightness and sharpness.
It’s also another way of removing heavy oxidization on the rims, restoring the shine.
You should be careful of the products you choose for this. You can use them as needed, but not too frequently.
Options like OxyPolish 3000 are great for metal oxidation and stain removal since they’re safe to use on brass, copper, bronze, pewter, stainless steel, chrome, aluminum, ceramic tile, porcelain, and glass.
Before driving, check the tire pressure and check for tread wear and cracks or damage in the rims.
4. Don’t forget the tools
Another thing many truck owners tend to ignore is the tools for cleaning.
Regularly inspect the brushes, cleaning agents, towels, clay bars, and other tools to ensure they are in top condition for subsequent use.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning truck rims and tires isn't exactly pleasurable, but it is rewarding (and satisfying) when you follow the proper steps and use the right materials. We hope that the above guide has given you clarity on that.
Meanwhile, the quality of your wheels is just as important as your effort to maintain them.
At Discounted Wheel Warehouse, we ensure you have various options when buying black wheels, coupled with fast shipping and competitive prices.
Having spent the past 20 years matching vehicle owners like you with the right wheels for their rigs, we've curated the best collection of cheap truck tires, and rims starting from $58.
How often should I clean my truck wheels?
It depends on how often you drive and the usual road conditions. But if you prefer your ride looking sharp, aim to clean your wheels every 1-2 weeks.
Can I pressure wash my rims?
Yes, you can use a pressure washer on your truck rims. It can remove some stains that a hose or just pouring water will not. Just be sure to use a low-pressure setting and keep the nozzle at a safe distance. You don’t want to damage your wheels accidentally.
What is the best wheel cleaner for brake rust?
The best wheel cleaner for brake rust is one that delivers deep action and is safe for the material of your wheel. So you have to think about function, safety, and, of course, price. Chemical Guys Diablo Gel product is popular as it’s gentle on the finish while tough on dirt.
Is dish soap suitable for cleaning truck wheels?
While Dawn dish soap will clean your tires, it's not the best choice. It’s designed for dishes, not wheels and tires, and could cause safety issues. Stick with a proper wheel cleaner and leave the dish soap in the kitchen.
