I'm calling on all of those here who detail cars on the side.

When I do a car, I usually like to remove the wheels (one at a time owing to the fact I don't have jack stands ) and clean the backsides. In my opinion, it just makes the car, especially if the wheels are very open. Sometimes I just don't have the time for this and I've never had a customer comment on this either way.

Who does this and who has found an easier way?

 

Good for you if you're doing that, but hopefully you're getting compensated for that extra time.

There has been only a few times where I couldn't get the wheels completely clean...meaning I couldn't get that last 5% unless I would have taken the wheels off (which I didn't). The customers were blown away that I got them 95% clean though.

Unless the wheels are absolutely horrible, you should be able to get them cleaned up nicely without taking the extra time to remove them by using something like P21S wheel gel (allowed to dwell for a long time), or hit them hard and fast with something like Megs Wheel Brightener (my go-to product).

Just my .02 worth.

 

See article in DetailingWiki;Paragraph on wheel cleaning brushes Wheel Cleaners -http://detailingwiki.com/index.php5?title=Wheel_Cleaners

 

I use P21S Gel for certain clients but typically Meg's Wheel Brightener usually does the job for me. With regards to removing the wheels, I have a set of four jack stands and a low-profile race jack so it really depends on what the client wants.

Whenever it's time to rotate my tires (every 5000 miles), this is what I do:

• Loosen all the lug nuts
• Jack up the front or rear of vehicle
• Put jack stands under the lifted side
• Jack up the other side
• Put the jack stands under other lifted side
• Remove all the lug nuts and wheels while noting proper wheel position
• Degrease, agitate, and rinse the wheel wells as clean as is reasonable
• Dress the wheel wells with your favorite dressing
• Clean the tires
• Clean the wheels, polish if necessary, and protect with Poorboy's World Wheel Sealant or some other form of LSP (inside & out)
• Buff off the LSP if necessary
• Rotate the wheels and place them back on the vehicle
• Torque-wrench the lug nuts to specs (typically 80 ft/lb)
• Dress the tires
• Proceed to lift the vehicle so that the jack stands may be removed
• All done!

 

Never had to remove wheels........I would be concerned about lugs breaking, and man, thats the last thing you need when detailing. But I understand the need for some of you to do so. Your wanting maximum results and client astonishment!.
Heres todays hot tip, .............try the Powerstick...........
I know it doesnt do much for polishing, but for cleaning, man....I wouldnt do a detail without it nowadays.....