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Porsche: How to Clean Your Wheels

The DIY guide to detailing the wheels on your Porsche.

By Charlie Gaston - March 20, 2015

This article applies to the Porsche 928 (1979-1995), Porsche 993 (1993-1998) and Porsche 997 (2005-2012).

When you drive your car, dirt, grime, brake dust, and other contaminants slowly start to collect on your wheels. While an eye soar, you will want to remove these dangerous and pesky deposits from your wheels to reduce damage to the rubber over time. Cleaning your wheels is easy; however, you'll need to use a little elbow grease to achieve an incredible showroom finish. We'll explain all the steps you need to take and the materials you'll need to use to complete this easy DIY project. Let's get started!

Materials Needed

  • Cleanser
  • Two buckets of clean water (one for rinsing materials, one for rinsing wheels)
  • Rags and sponges
  • Detailing brush
  • Wheel Woolies
  • Wax, polish or clear coat

Step 1 – Choose the best cleanser for your wheels

To reduce damage to the rubber, use a non-caustic, non-acidic, manufacturer-recommended cleanser on your wheels. While low-cost, generic automotive cleansers promise to save you money at the register, using one on your Porsche could cost you more in the long run, as many such products cause rubber to break down due to high levels of acid and other caustic substances.

Figure 1. Always check a product's suitability to your wheels before applying.

Pro Tip

Follow the manufacturer's instructions when applying a new automotive cleaning product.

Step 2 – Apply the cleanser as directed by the manufacturer

Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding the suggested soak time. Each product requires a specific amount of time to effectively loosen dirt, debris, surface deposits, brake dust, and other environmental contaminants. Following the manufacturer's instructions here will allow you to scrub away dirt more easily in Step 3.

Figure 2. Adhere to all processing and wait times.

Pro Tip

Be sure to wet the wheel entirely to ensure an even, thorough clean.

Step 3 – Brush away dirt

If you need to add more cleanser, feel free to do so. However, be sure to allow the product to work for several minutes before attempting to brush away the stubborn dirt and grime left behind during Step 2. It's recommended to start at the bottom of each wheel and work up and out, using a detailing brush or Wheel Woolie.

Figure 3. Wheel Woolies.

Pro Tip

Use a detailing brush for stubborn grime, and a Wheel Woolie for basic cleaning.

Step 4 – Rinse with clean water

Give each wheel a good rinse, and then wipe dry with a clean microfiber cloth. Remember, you are using the bucket that has not been used to rinse rags or clean your detailing brush. Depending on how much dirt and brake dust you've removed, you may need to rinse the wheels several times.

Figure 4. Keep water clean and free of product waste.

Pro Tip

If you already own a leaf blower, you may want to use that when drying the wheels; however, purchasing one just for this DIY project is not recommended.

Step 5 – Preserve the wheels' finish

You have several options here. You can use a wax, polish, or clear coat. Again, follow the detailing instructions provided in your owner's manual or as directed by the dealer at your local Porsche dealership. Finish with a professional-grade tire dressing to reduce damage from harmful UV rays.

Follow this and the above-mentioned steps and your wheels' finish will remain in tip-top shape for weeks or months to come.

Figure 5. Work the product evenly into each wheel.

Pro Tip

If additional cleaning is necessary, go ahead and do so now before applying the wax, polish, or clear coat. It's recommended to only use automotive cleaning products specifically manufactured for your wheels' finish.

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