Filthy alloys are an inevitability, which means part of any good car cleaning product selection has to be some good alloy wheel brushes. This is especially evident if you’ve ever driven your car through a muddy field or during the slushy roads of winter.
Car wheels come in a plethora of different designs and forms, and it’s handy to have a tool that’s able to get between the grooves and spokes. It may be tempting to dig out a pressure washer, but that’s also where wheel brushes come in. They’re generally quite narrow and able to dig deep into the wheel, clearing any dirt from awkward areas.
The best wheel brushes at a glance:
Editor’s pick: Meguiar’s X1902EU Supreme Microfibre Wheel Brush – buy from Amazon.
The best brush for details: Autoglym Wheel Brush – buy from Amazon.
The best on a budget: Armour All Luxury Alloy Wheel Brush – buy from Amazon.
We’ve also brushed up a guide on alloy wheel cleaner, outlining the best products to make them look fresh. Here though, we investigated and found the best wheel brushes on the web as well as some advice to keep your wheels looking fantastic.
Best alloy wheel brushes:
Editor's pick
It comes in either medium or large sizes, depending on what you prefer. Although for optimum results, the brush really works best with Meguiar's Ultimate Wheel Cleaner.
Pros
- Soft microfibre materials safe to use on any wheel
- Very effective scrubbing
Cons
- Works best with Meguiar's Ultimate Wheel Cleaner
The best wheel brush for barrels
This barrel brush from EZ Detail makes use of flexible nylon bristles to deeply scrub the surface without causing scratches. The central shaft can be bent to fit into awkward spaces and it features a knuckle guard too, perfect for keeping your hand safe from accidental alloy contact.
Pros
- Deep cleaning ability
- Excellent construction
Cons
- Not designed for wheel faces
The best wheel brush for details
Pros
- Perfect for wheel faces
- Chemical resistant design
Cons
- Big wheels will take a while
Best wheel brush for Karcher pressure washers
For removing hardened dirt, nothing will get close to a proper pressure washer attachment like this. The combination of high-pressure water and the bristles will have caked-on mud removed in an instant. This is the best choice if you're a keen off-roader and your car is utterly filthy.
Pros
- Well made
- Extra cleaning power
Cons
- You'll need an appropriate Karcher device
The best budget wheel brush
The rubber handle is ergonomic and comfortable too. It does feature a central metal spine that can leave nasty scratches on your wheels if you aren't careful but as a budget option, it's still good so long as you take more care.
Pros
- Affordable
- Scrubs up well
Cons
- Metal spine means caution must be taken
FAQs – What you need to know about wheel brushes:
What features should I look for in a good wheel brush?
The best wheel brushes differ slightly from regular brushes for cars will avoid exposed metal because metal can leave nasty scratches on your freshly cleaned alloys.
Also, consider what alloy wheels you have. If the design is particularly intricate it’s best to look at getting a detailing brush with a tapered head so you can get into those hard-to-reach areas. These can also be used for cleaning your car’s grille, once the brush has been cleaned, of course.
Can I use an alloy wheel brush on non-alloys?
If you own a car that doesn’t feature fancy alloy wheels don’t worry, you can use these wheel cleaning brushes. Whether you have plastic wheel trims or bare steelies you can use these brushes in the same way you would alloys to clean away grime. For the most effective results, it’s worth clearing away the top layer of dirt with pre-wash before going in on the attack with the alloy brush.
Why should I bother cleaning my wheels?
It’s all too easy to clean the bodywork of your car with car shampoo and think that your wheels don’t matter as much. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Not only will clean alloys help you rake in some extra cash when it comes to selling your car, but cleaning your wheels will help fight off any risk of corrosion.
Your car’s wheels lead a tough life and will get a lot of debris and containments thrown at them as you drive around. Your wheels will come into contact with road salt, grime and water, all of which can cause corrosion if they’re not cleaned off.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. A veteran car cleaner; if it details, waxes or washes he’ll be on hand to make sure it’s worth your money.
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