BLACKFIRE Tire and Wheel Care Guide

Wheels and tires - a detailer's nemesis. While we all know wheel care isn't glamourous, it is a necessity. Make the job easier with the right tools and techniques to master the art of wheel care! Check out our full how-to below featuring BLACKFIRE products and a new kit that includes everything you need!

Product Application

Today we are going to put the BLACKFIRE Tire & Wheel Cleaner through its paces. Our challenge is a 2014 F-350 Super Duty with a TON of brake dust build up. The BLACKFIRE Tire & Wheel Cleaner is a surface-safe formula meaning it is only harsh on contamination. This water-based wheel cleaner is perfect for painted, chrome, polished aluminum, and even anodized wheels.

Plus, BLACKFIRE Tire & Wheel Cleaner breaks away brake dust and dirt off your tires, eliminating the need for multiple cleaners!

We'll get started with the BLACKFIRE Tire & Wheel Cleaner. BLACKFIRE recommends spraying the wheel with a light mist of water before applying the Tire & Wheel Cleaner. Since we are dealing with a seriously neglected wheel, I'm going full strength on a dry wheel. Of course, you want to make sure your wheels are cool to the touch before starting. Spray a liberal amount of cleaner onto the wheel.

If you're working on something that is better maintained, you won't need much of the product. The BLACKFIRE Tire & Wheel Cleaner is a thick red formula that really clings to the surface well. If you're working in a cool climate, this provides you an impeccable amount of dwell time.

Once BLACKFIRE Tire & Wheel Cleaner hits the surface, it immediately starts breaking down grime and break dust. Now I will mention this is not a spray on, spray off formula. It's going to take some light agitation to break the contamination free. Start working the face of the wheel with a soft wheel brush, like the Montana Boars Hair Bush. You'll notice it really takes minimal effort, even when it's a few thousand miles of grime!

For the barrels, I utilized one of my favorite wheel brushes, the Speed Master Wheel Brush. This is an essential tool for hard to reach areas and complex wheel designs. The flexible stem bends around spokes to ensure you get every last bit of contamination and it's Nylex bristles ensures you won't hurt the most delicate wheel finishes.

Now that we've covered the wheel, let's move onto the tire! Just like any other job you want to make sure you have the right tool. For this, I reached for the Speed Master Tire Scrub Brush. Its strong bristles can power through dirt and old dried out tire gels with ease. In this step go a little heavier with BLACKFIRE Tire & Wheel Cleaner and start working around the tire.

Again, since this tire has so much contamination, I take some extra time and go two rounds with the cleaner to get all of the browning

Be sure to rinse the wheel and tire thoroughly with a strong jet of water. This product clings incredibly well so make sure you get everything off! Once you've rinsed everything free use a Wheel & Tire towel to dry the wheel.

Time for tire dressing! BLACKFIRE Tire Gel darkens and conditions the rubber while providing a clean natural look. However, if you're the kind of person that prefers a higher amount of shine, just add a second coat to boost your gloss! Apply a thin strip of BLACKFIRE Tire Gel onto your tire applicator and start spreading it out on the tire. If you want to increase gloss, just wait 5 minutes and apply another coat!

The final step is simply to take a few steps back to admire your work and let's be honest, this is everyone's favorite step!

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