detailersdomain

Okay, everyone as spring nears and most of us have been hit with some snow this winter, I figured why not do a detailed how to on cleaning up the wheel wells on our cars.

I figured some of us will be switching up to a summer wheel set up, so what better time to get you all out there to clean up the salt, dirt, grime, and everything else in your wheel well while you have access to it.

Let's get started.

Products used:

Craftsman's 4000lbs jack
(I was intending to use jack stands but the ones I bought were too big)
Torque wrench
Socket wrench
P21S Autowash
P21S Polishing Soap
Adam's Car Wash
Adam's Invisible Undercarriage Spray
Menzerna FMJ
Old Microfiber towels
Bucket
Firehose Nozzle
If you got a high pressure washer that would be a major plus!
Boar's Hair Brush
Wheel Brush (synthetic bristles)
Spoke wheel brush (to get in to the tight spots)
Detail Sponge (for the Adam's Invisible Undercarriage Spray)
Dark color clothing (you will get pretty dirty on this one)
Gloves

Procedure:
1. Make sure the car is cool (wheels, brakes etc)
2. Jack up the car so that you can take the wheel off (I would recommend using jack stands if you got them)
3. Remove wheel
4. Spray down wheel well.
5. Spray the whole area with P21S Autowash
6. Using the brushes from the Bucket full of Adam's Car Wash I started to agitate and brush the dirt and grime off everything in the wheel well. Getting the suspension bits, wheel liners, control arms, boots, brake caliper, etc..
7. Used the high pressure washer to spray everything down. (if the results are not what you want repeat from step 5)
8. Used the P21S Polishing Soap to polish out all the metal in the wheel well. (not the brakes)
9. Used the high pressure washer to spray down all the P21S soap off.
10. Used an old MF to wipe everything dry
11. Sprayed down the wheel liner, rubber, and plastics with Adam's Undercarriage Spray, for the super glossy look you will spray it and leave it. For the matte OEM look Spray it let it set and then wipe down with a detailing sponge (I used the ones that we sell with the Adam's VRT) try not to get any of the dressing on the rotors.
12. Applied some Menzerna FMJ on the brake caliper, buffed off with a MF towel
13. You are now good to go just mount the summer wheels on and repeat till all four wheel wells are done.

I spent about 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours on this procedure.

Now to the good part the pics:

Before pic of the whole car with snow setup:
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/dirtyrs6.jpg">

Dirty wheels:
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/dirtyrs6snow.jpg">

Before wheel well pics:
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/bestbeforefull.jpg">
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/beforewell10.jpg">
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/beforewell9.jpg">
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/beforewell8.jpg">
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/beforewell4.jpg">
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/beforewell7.jpg">

During the P21S Autowash and brushing:
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/duringwell1.jpg">
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/duringwell2.jpg">
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/duringwell3.jpg">
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/duringwell4.jpg">
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/duringwell7.jpg">

Polishing metal bits:
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/sprayeddown2.jpg">
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/spraydowncomp1.jpg">
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/spraydowncomp.jpg">
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/spraydown5.jpg">

Dressing/afters:
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/afterfinished2.jpg">
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/afterfinish4.jpg">
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/afterfinish1well.jpg">
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/afterfinish.jpg">
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/afterdressedwell.jpg">
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/afterdressed9.jpg">
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/afterdressed8.jpg">

Final picture:
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/afterfullshotwells.jpg">

Dirty car with some hot clean wheels:
<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/nicewheeldirtycar.jpg">

Note: the dressing appears to be running but its not, its left over water as the wheel well/liners were still wet.

SKIroad'r

you have mad skillz, looks better than new.

SouthboroAudiGuy

I get a ton of comments on my engine bay because I detail it once in a while. Your pics have me thinking there may be a new place to focus my obsesssion.

That said, I suspect that wheel wells get dirty again MUCH quicker than engine bays. Please provide feedback on how quickly (time &amp; miles) your great work gets "undone" by nature.

Kudos.

RKA

I left the bottle on a shelf in teh garage...some product worked it's way out of the bottle and onto the shelf where it sat for quite a long period of time. When I finally rinsed it, the paint came off with the TAW!

That isn't suggestive that this is corrosive to the paint...in the way we use it, it's perfectly safe. The point is...make sure you rinse well...all the nooks and crannies! You don't want this stuff working it's way into a corner of the car where it will sit for months at a time.

bitjockey (bum)

jeeeeeeez.

bitterchild

is there a good side by side photo of dressed/undressed underbody phil?

detailersdomain

I don't think I have that shot at all....but I can take a look.

NJRickD

so good.

Audi Advocate

A lot of work but great results!

Schumiusedtowin

20 s in NJ.......Watch those potholes ! You're in Bergen roads are decent there