PDA

View Full Version : How to detail your wheel wells....



DetailersDomain
March 13th, 2007, 03:18
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:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/dirtyrs6.jpg

Dirty wheels:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/dirtyrs6snow.jpg

Before wheel well pics:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/bestbeforefull.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/beforewell10.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/beforewell9.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/beforewell8.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/beforewell4.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/beforewell7.jpg

During the P21S Autowash and brushing:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/duringwell1.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/duringwell2.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/duringwell3.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/duringwell4.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/duringwell7.jpg

Polishing metal bits:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/sprayeddown2.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/spraydowncomp1.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/spraydowncomp.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/spraydown5.jpg

Dressing/afters:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/afterfinished2.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/afterfinish4.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/afterfinish1well.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/afterfinish.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/afterdressedwell.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/afterdressed9.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/afterdressed8.jpg

Final picture:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f149/pyiu/afterfullshotwells.jpg

Dirty car with some hot clean wheels:
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.

Click here for the detailing your wheels:
http://audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=124231

Charles DLF
March 13th, 2007, 10:07
oh boy how i wish i had your patience!! the car looks great mate!

DetailersDomain
March 13th, 2007, 12:49
charles,

thanks I guess as the RS is a daily I like to keep it as nice as possible.

got boost
March 13th, 2007, 13:39
Wow, you have patience! Your ride will be ready for a concours de elegance.

DetailersDomain
March 13th, 2007, 13:43
got boost, only if that were true....thanks!

skiwi
March 13th, 2007, 17:48
great job. what springs/dampers are you running?

DetailersDomain
March 13th, 2007, 18:38
Bilstein PSS9's

DetailersDomain
March 13th, 2007, 19:33
Craftsman's 4000lbs jack

DetailersDomain
March 13th, 2007, 19:34
www.sears.com

jonas_dg
March 13th, 2007, 21:45
pyiu, you truly turn cleaning into art :)
thanks for the tips!

DetailersDomain
March 13th, 2007, 23:36
no problem there will be more to come...I'm thinking doing the exhaust detail next.

AuditudeA642
March 15th, 2007, 22:46
pyiu, how many sets of wheels do you have for that RS6?? LOL. Ive seen the car with three sets so far. They all look great on the car. The nicest wheels i have ever seen are the summer BBS wheels. Those are beautiful. If you ever want to sell that car you know who to message.

DetailersDomain
March 15th, 2007, 22:53
: ) I don't have the stock ones any more, but I have

BBS CH's as winters (19)
BBS RS-GT's as springs (20's)
Sportec Mono 10's as summer (20's)

Thanks!