Wheels before body?

[kc21]

Hi,

I'm just curious on whats the best way to start washing... whether to start cleaning the wheels then proceed to the body or is it the other way around?

[Justin Murphy]

Re: Wheels before body?

I do the wheels first.

1st......
Spray tires, wells, and rocker panels with degreaser. I also spray Wheel Brightener on the wheels now if needed.

2nd......
Spray mirrors, bumper, and windshield with APC to remove bugs.

***Remember....I've done this for a while and I'm moving fast. You might want to skip step two if you see the tires and wheels are drying with the chemicals on them. Just come back to step 2 after cleaning the tires and wheels.***

3rd.....
Pressure wash the entire vehicle from the top down. Blast the tires and wheel thoroughly. You should be ready to wash now.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Wheels before body?

Meguiar's recommends starting at the top and working down, for example starting on the roof of your car and working your way down the car.

Some people like to wash the wheels and tires first and after washing and rinsing the wheels and tires then they start at the top of the car and work their way down.

The reason for this is because if you wash the car starting at the top and working down, you have a wet car with water on the paint in the process of drying. While this water is sitting on the paint drying and potentially leaving a water spot, you're washing 4 wheels and tires, this takes time and while you're doing tis some water may dry on it's own before you can finish the wheels and tires.

If after washing the car you then dry it, and now start washing the wheels and tires, you usually get water spray on the paint and this could include dirt from off the wheels as you were spraying them, so now you'll have to wash and rinse the affected area again.

So for the above reasons, some people will wash the wheels and tires first, then wash the car. By doing it like this you don't have to dry the paint twice, nor rinse any of the paint a second time around the wheel wells. Then immediately after you give the car a final rinse you can being drying the water off the car. Since you're finished with the water hose and you won't be spraying water any more, then you won't be getting the car wet again and you should have enough time now to dry the water of the car without any risk of water spotting.

Personal preference.

[nick22]

Re: Wheels before body?

i do the wheels at last.

for my own wheels --> once i a while ,i take the whole wheel from the car

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Wheels before body?

There's a poll if you click the link below...

Poll: Car Washing Style?

[roushstage2]

Re: Wheels before body?

I almost always do my wheels and tires first.

[Jeepster04]

Re: Wheels before body?

I wash the wheels and fender wells first for the exact reason mike explained. I also use a separate bucket.

[Playr]

Re: Wheels before body?

I wash the wheels and fender wells first for the exact reason mike explained. I also use a separate bucket.

Ditto

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Wheels before body?

Same here. Wheels first. Then body.

[lascrew]

Re: Wheels before body?

I always do the wheels last or in conjunction with that corresponding fender that is closest to that wheel.

[hengheng]

Re: Wheels before body?

Hi im new, happy to join this forum

I agree with Mike Phillips , I do the tires / wheels wells first then the body. Since I use water sprayer to blast off dirt, mud, brake dust and other foreign contaminants (we don't have clean roads out here in Manila), you cant help splashing water on the body whether by accident or simply by the force of the water sprayer. Assuming you have worked on the body first, washed and dried, then you will have to do cleaning and drying all over again.


Once again , its a matter of personal preference



cheers!

[03mach1]

Re: Wheels before body?

I start with the body then go to my wheels. if you do the wheels first you could have a chance at getting extra dirt on the wash mitt. then with that extra dirt or grime you could spread it all over the paint.

[BINGO53]

Re: Wheels before body?

On my own cars, I first douse the whole thing, body, wheels and wells. Then fill the buckets and mix the soap. Spray the whole thing again, and then start soaping on the roof and work down. (down horizontal, not vertical.) Soap and rinse a section at a time. My neighbor starts at the top, comes down the rear quarter panel and into the wheel well, then back up to the top with the well dirt still in the mitt. I start at the upper front fender and go down the side to the rear horizontally.

I continue to spray the car all over as I move around it often to keep it wet. I save the wells and wells for last. For me the "dirtiest/least worry" of scratching sections get washed last. To finish, dry with my favorite method...leaf blower/water magnet.

This works great on my own vehicles as they are not ever in drastic condition. Now for a friends rolling dirt mound Camaro I did awhile back, it was START AT THE WHEELS FIRST! The wheels were so bad off, they had to be a special project with separate buckets and an arsenal of brushes and cleaning solutions.

Bottom line: It depends on what you are working on.

[roushstage2]

Re: Wheels before body?

I start with the body then go to my wheels. if you do the wheels first you could have a chance at getting extra dirt on the wash mitt. then with that extra dirt or grime you could spread it all over the paint.

You should be using a separate bucket and a separate dedicated mitt though. Washing with brake dust would be...well, I don't want to think about it.

[angeloabbattista]

Re: Wheels before body?


I do the wheels first and use a separate wash bucket, mitt, mf's and clay if required.