This simple tyre cleaning routine could save dollars and lives
If I could throw my tyres in Brisbane in the wash with my jocks, I would. Unfortunately, this isn’t possible. But, having been in the tyres game in Brisbane for a good few years – more than I care to remember – I’ve noticed how tyres are neglected when it comes to car cleaning. There are many benefits from buying good tyres and then following this investment with good maintenance.
Part of your maintenance routine should be to keep them clean. When you do so, you’ll remove debris, oil, and other contaminants that will reduce tyre life.
After all the bad weather we’ve had in Queensland recently now is the perfect time to start your tyre cleaning routine. Clean your tyres once every couple of months, using the following five-step method. Not only will your tyres look better on Brisbane’s roads, but they’ll also last longer and give you better tyre performance. And this will save you money on your driving.
Get equipped to clean your tyres in Brisbane to get them ready Queensland roads
You’ll need a few basic items to clean your tyres in Brisbane effectively:
- A large (clean) bucket
- A high-pressure water hose
- Tyre cleaning solution
- Tyre cleaning brushes (soft bristles for the wheels, contoured for the rubber)
- Micro fibre towels
- Clean, dry cloth
- Wax Protector
- Tyre dressing solution and cloth
If you’re not sure where to get any of these items, contact me or one of my team, and we’ll help you out.
Okay, now that you’ve got everything together, here’s what to do:
1. Clean your tyres before cleaning your car
It might sound counterintuitive, but the last thing you want is to splash a clean car and need to clean it again. The tyres are likely to be the dirtiest part of your car, so clean them first.
Get all your tyre cleaning equipment together, and set up in a well-ventilated area. Make sure you’ve read the instructions on the tyre cleaning solutions before you begin.
2. Pressure wash your tyres
Using the high-powered hose, jet wash your tyres to remove dirt and brake dust. Rinse around the rim, through the tread, and across the sidewall of each wheel and tyre. Apply the cleaning solution, and leave it a few minutes to loosen hard-to-remove debris.
3. Brush down, rinse, repeat
Clean the tyre with the contoured brush, and the rim with the soft-bristled brush. Scrub and rinse is the method to use, and repeat as often as necessary. Once you’ve removed as much of the dirt as possible, dry the tyre and rim with the micro fibre cloth.
The micro fibre cloth will remove most of the water, but it’s important to let the tyre dry completely before moving on to the next step.
4. Wax your tyres
Apply the wax to your tyres, and polish in the same way that you would polish your car’s bodywork. This wax helps to protect your tyre and prevent debris and mud from sticking. Don’t leave any excess wax on the tyres.
5. Dress your tyres
The last step is to dress your tyres with tyre dressing. If you’ve ever had your car valeted and wonder how they get the tyres looking like brand new, this is the trick they use.
Tyre Dressing is a water-based solution which usually comes in a spray bottle. Apply a coat, and then let it dry. Repeat once or twice more.
That’s all there is to it! Don’t forget, if you spot any bald patches, uneven wear, or splits or scrapes on your tyres, you should have them checked. The smallest scrape could be masking a more dangerous problem.
We’re here to help. We’ve got extensive experience in the supply, fitting and maintenance of tyres for all types of vehicles in Brisbane and Queensland. Contact us today (by Skype, telephone, or on our contact form) and book your professional tyre check today.
Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,
Kevin Wood