What Is the Right Way to Detail Your Tires?
Tires are one of the most used and abused parts of your car. Plus, they’re also fully responsible for your safety while driving, even at very low speeds. So, it stands to reason that you should take care of your tires, and detailing is the best way to do so. It is several steps above just washing the tires with water and calling it a day. Here’s how to do it the right way:
Preparation
The first step of car tire detailing is preparation. Make sure you have all the necessary tools at your disposal. The most important components to check are the water supply, sponge, wash mitt, tire brush, and dish soap. Proper detailing is not just washing, though, so gather things like tire shine and dressing solutions as well.
Rinse
Once you have everything close by, it’s time to get started and the first order of business is to rinse the tire. Using a hose with non-pressurized water is the most efficient way of going about this process. Make sure to rinse it thoroughly and leave no corner or crevice dry. Try a flexible hose nozzle to make it easier.
Soap
Mix dish soap and water in a bucket. There is no ideal ratio; just continue until the water in the bucket is all soapy and bubbly. Once you have the soap and water, it’s time to cleanse the tire and you’ll need a tire brush for that. Scrub the tire properly and leave no area without soap. You can also use a smaller brush to get in between the grooves on your tire.
Rinse again
After everything has been soaped up completely, rinse it all again. This time, use pressurized water to get the dirt and grime out of the ridges and corners. Make sure to clean off all the soap.
Cleaner
Let the tire dry a bit before coating it with a dedicated tire cleaner. These usually come in spray bottles, so be sure to spray properly, everywhere. Once you’re done with the cleaner, let it sit like that for about 30 seconds. After that, grab a tire brush and start scrubbing it on the sides.
Dry
The next step is to dry the tire. Now, you can leave it out to dry on its own, but that would take too long. Instead, use a lint-free cloth to wipe down any moisture and cleaner the tire’s surface. Keep that cloth away from the wheels as well.
Wax
Once dry, it’s time to wax the tires. Just apply the wax and use a microfiber cloth for buffing. Take this slowly, but stay precise with the amount and location of the wax. Try to cover the tire evenly but remember that a double coat of wax is better than not being waxed at all.
Shining
The final step of car tire detailing is shining. It involves a tire shine solution and sponge to give your tires the shiny rubber look.
And you’re done!
Final Words
If you’re new at car tire detailing and don’t want to mess up, try doing it one tire at a time. It will take longer than doing it all at once, but this way, you’ll be much more precise and proper.