Rims: How to clean them? What products should I use?

Sometimes black, sometimes silver, occasionally exceptionally beautiful, and other times – made of steel – which also have a huge fan base! Rims are the "make or break" of the final effect of a washed car, and perfectly cleaned rims show that the owner knows what they’re doing.

Rims differ in the materials they’re made of, size, shape, or type of finish – e.g., chrome plating. It’s a real microcosm of diverse challenges that detailers and valeters face. In this post, you’ll learn how to wash rims, and which products to choose for cleaning car rims.

Most common problems with rims

Rims are one of the biggest challenges for beginner detailers. This is due to the unique combination of exposure to road grime, brake dust, and heat (from both the brakes and the engine bay). This unique mix causes contaminants to stick stubbornly to rim surfaces, sometimes forming a hard crust that can only be removed with strong chemicals, i.e., a brake dust remover (also sometimes called "rim acid" or "fallout remover"). This type of product is easily recognised by the characteristic purple-red shade of the dissolving deposits.

The best products of this kind have a neutral pH, are water-based, and can also be used on paintwork. Thanks to this, unsightly metallic deposits forming around wheel arches and doors can be quickly and safely removed in one go. We wouldn’t be ourselves if we didn’t recommend our Iron Terminator, which easily checks all these boxes.

Another common rim problem is more prosaic. Rims increasingly have... increasingly complex shapes! Without a good, soft rim brush you won’t get far. Dozens of small, spoke-like arms are a real challenge, requiring accuracy and patience from the person cleaning. Another issue tied to rim design is their depth. Sports and luxury cars especially suffer from the “uncleaned rim syndrome,” where rims can only really be thoroughly washed during seasonal tire changes. That’s why it’s even more important to keep rim depth and rear walls in mind during deep cleaning.

Do's and don'ts of cleaning car rims

Here are a few important aspects to remember before you start washing and cleaning car rims:

• If possible, test car care products on an inconspicuous spot of the given element,
• Avoid strong agents on rims that have been repainted or show visible damage to the paint layer,
• Don’t leave strong chemicals on rim surfaces for too long – it’s better to apply several times and rinse than risk permanent marks,
• Never work on a hot car: rims, especially brakes, can heat up to hundreds of degrees Celsius. Also, never work in direct sunlight,
• Wear protective clothing: when working with strong chemicals, we always recommend nitrile or latex gloves,
• Work in well-ventilated areas, and use FFP2 masks to avoid inhaling fumes.

Got it? Then we can move on to product recommendations.

Which products for cleaning rims?

A good cleaner

As mentioned above, a good rim cleaner should be both effective and safe. What good is easily removed dirt if the product destroys protective coatings or simply smells awful? That’s why it’s worth choosing Soft99.

Iron Terminator

Neutral pH, water-based formula, minimised bad odour (a curse of competitor fallout removers), and safe for use even on paintwork. Iron Terminator is a brake dust destroyer, tackling stubborn, deeply penetrating grime. A sprayed dirty rim flows with a blood-red stream – the telltale sign that the cleaner is working. That’s where the popular name for such products comes from: “bloody rim.”

Digloss Kamitore Wheel & Tire Cleaner

Based on orange oil, the Wheel & Tire Cleaner is truly unique in the car care market. It cleans both rims and tire sidewalls, sits comfortably in the hand thanks to a large trigger, which also fits other Digloss series accessories and Soft99 rim brushes. Perfect for regular, safe cleaning without harsh chemicals.

Rim-safe accessories

What’s the point of brushing a rim clean if, under the light, it ends up covered in scratches? Heavy grime typical for rims sometimes needs scrubbing, so it’s even more important to ensure our accessories treat scratch-prone rims gently.

Digloss Kamitore Sponge

A rim brush, but unlike any other. The ultra-soft microfibre head of the Kamitore Sponge is more of a delicate sponge than a rough brush. It treats rims exceptionally gently while foaming the cleaner and spreading it predictably without splashing.

Exterior detailing brush set

A detailer’s essential. The set of three brushes with synthetic, chemical-resistant bristles is suitable for all exterior elements. Besides rims, you can also clean grilles, emblems, handles, or air intakes.

The best coating for rims

You can protect rims even with quick detailer or wax, but real, long-lasting protection comes from a high-temperature-resistant quartz coating.

QJUTSU Wheel & Light Coat

The crown jewel for clean rims is the 12-month rim and headlight coating, QJUTSU Wheel & Light Coat. This advanced quartz coating withstands temperatures of up to 550°C. It perfectly protects rims, exhaust system elements, and engine bay components.

Wrapping it up

Washing and cleaning rims is a real art! The information we’ve presented is just the tip of the iceberg, and there are countless methods and preferences out there. That’s why, whenever in doubt, always return to our guidelines (in the “How to clean car rims?” section) and rely on safe, neutral-pH solutions. We wish all detailing enthusiasts nothing but shining rims!