Cleaning wheel well

[3JBS]

What is the best way to clean out your wheel wells? I've heard that use of a spray on degreaser usually works. I've also heard of people using portable steam machines. Any suggestions?

[Murr1525]

Heres what I do...

I have All Purpose Cleaner, diluted a bit between the 4:1 and 10:1 ratios, and in a foaming sprayer.

First, I hose the wheels, wheel wells. Then I spray APC in, let it sit for just a minute or less, then work it around with a small soft brush I found. THen hose the well out. Then after I am done with washing car, etc, I come back and dress the wells (black plastic lining) with All Season Dressing. I spray the dressing in, then work it around with a foam paint brush.

Seems to work quite well, though i think the milder Degreaser would work quite well, esp if you are dealing with tar a lot more. Mostly dirt and mud in my area.

Also, DO NOT USE SIMPLE GREEN. I made that mistake. It will turn the black plastic a flaky gray color.

[Magic]

I use Safe D-Greaser instead, but the process is identical to Murr's. I just received a gallon of APC Plus, I'm eager to try it out on the wheel wells.

[Accumulator]

I've played around with my steamer (a good commercial one) but it just doesn't seem like the right tool for the job- the stuff in wheelwells doesn't seem to need the emulsification-through-heat that the steamer provides.

I too use a diluted APC on the beaters and a shampoo mix on the good cars (which are highly detailed in the wheelwells). If you dress/etc. them I'd just use the shampoo mix so the dressing lasts a little longer.

I use soft brushes (BHBs) and the Quickee Sponge Mop, which is a sponge on a plastic stick, made for cleaning the inside of glassware.

Once I get them clean they seem to stay that way with just a little attention at each wash, even through the winter.

[imacarnut]

also... turning the front wheels makes it alot easier to get inside to clean them.