Proper Wheel Care

By Michael Mankarious


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Clean wheels are like a clean pair of shoes. The way polished shoes finish off an outfit, clean wheels finish off a clean, detailed car. Lets take a look at wheels and how to properly clean them so the shoes of your car make your car and you look your best! 

Like your car's paint finish, allowing road grime and brake dust to build up on your wheel finish will cause the wheels to lose their luster in no time. Brake dust remains harmless until it begins to absorb moisture from the air and then it becomes acidic. This happens almost immediately. Leaving brake dust to build on your wheels gives it a chance to etch away at the surface hence the loss in shine and luster. Brake dust comes from the brake pads of your car but also the brakes of other cars. Brake dust is the number one pollutant on today's roads and highways.

With that in mind, wash your car on a regular basis. If washed regularly, use one of any our premium quality car wash shampoos which are more than sufficient in cleaning both your car and wheels.

Where wheel cleaner such as Wheel + Engine Cleaner is useful is when you have a heavier build up of road grime and brake dust which is more difficult to clean. Wheel Cleaner will make it a breeze without using harsh chemicals or having to use coarse brushes which can also dull out the finish of your wheels.

Wheel manufacturers discourage the use of aggressive wheel cleaners that can be either too acidic or too alkaline (very strong soap detergents). They might easily strip stubborn brake dust but they will also dull out the sensitive clear coat finish on the wheels.

Wheel Cleaner is both effective and safe at removing brake dust and road grime without harming the finish. It's safe for use on all wheel types including alloy, aluminum, chrome, and plastic wheel covers.


The Cleaning Process

As with application of any cleaning product, it's important to clean wheels under the correct condition. Before cleaning your wheels, be sure to follow product directions carefully. Be sure wheels are cool to the touch and out of direct sunlight before spraying. Hot wheels or direct sunlight can affect the safe to use formula by making it more aggressive (this applies to all chemicals).

 

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Tools

If using a wash mitt to clean your wheels, always use a dedicated wash mitt separate from the wash mitt you'll use to wash your car. Do not use the same wash mitt you use for your cars paint finish because the road grime found on the wheels that are grabbed by the wash mitt can scratch your cars paint finish. Also use a separate washing solution for best results. 

Another useful tool to have on hand is our Ultra Soft Wheel Brush to clean within the crevices including difficult to wash areas such as the lug nuts. It's especially handy if you need to clean multi-piece wheels with rivets. It's also made with gentle bristles so it won't scratch the finish.

 

Cleaning

 

Spray Wheel Cleaner on to your wheels and allow the cleaner to take effect. You'll see the cleaning effect in action as the color changes to a dark purple color indicating that it's removing iron deposits from the surface. If necessary, use the Ultra Soft Wheel Brush to get into small crevices.

 

After a few minutes of allowing the product to clean the wheels, rinse the wheels with a strong jet of water. Make sure to rinse all areas completely. Allowing any type of cleaner, no matter how gentle, to remain for a period of time longer than recommended by the product directions risks causing harm to the surface. So always stay within the guidelines of the product directions.

 

After rinsing wheels with sufficient water, dry with a premium quality drying towel for a scratch-free and spot-free finish. Repeat the process with each wheel.

 

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Polishing and Waxing Wheels

If your wheels have a clear coat finish on them, they can be polished and waxed like your cars paint finish. This will maintain their luster and protect them from the harsh elements on the road.

Apply at least twice a year an application of No. 3 Polish & Wax to clean, condition and add depth to the wheel finish. Apply with a microfiber foam applicator pad. The same instructions that are used to apply No. 3 Polish & Wax to your cars paint finish apply to application on your wheel. After polishing, apply a coat of Premium Protect for maximum protection. Premium Protect is a synthetic based car wax with the addition of carnauba wax. This provides exceptional protection compared to traditional carnauba waxes to withstand the harsh effects of brake dust, road grime, road salt and multiple washes.


Summary

Wheel Cleaning is not difficult if you use the right tools and cleaning technique. A little effort goes a long way in making your wheels stand out.

Four einszett metallic paint polish containers in yellow, green, red, and blue, labeled with the same red-and-black shield einszett logo, arranged on a white cloth next to a red surface.

einszett Legacy

Built on a Legacy. Made for What Comes Next.

Since 1936, einszett has set the standard in automotive care. Our Legacy formulas carry forward the quality, performance and results enthusiasts remember.

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A Legacy Dating Back to 1936

1936

Founded in Germany

einszett was established by Werner Sauer, Sr. in Cologne, Germany, beginning a legacy of premium automotive care products that would span generations.
A vintage black convertible car parked outdoors in front of a cityscape with a large cathedral spire in the background, shown in black-and-white.
einszett (1Z in German) taken from the license plate issued to cars in Koln, Germany, birthplace of einszett.
1960s

Innovation in Car Care

Pioneered advanced formulations for automotive detailing, setting new standards in the industry.
Vintage-style einszett advertisement showing a woman in a blue shirt holding a large green bottle labeled '1z Autopolitur' and a yellow badge reading '1z Autopflege' on a cream background with abstract shapes.
Historical einszett car-care products from the brand’s early years.
2000

The North American Chapter Begins

einszett North America became the brand’s first export operation outside Europe and introduced einszett to the English-speaking market. The North American website, product labels and catalogs established the brand’s first English-language identity, helping open the door to interest and distribution in additional markets around the world.
The original einszett North America office and team.
2006

70th Anniversary

Celebrated seven decades of innovation, quality, and dedication to automotive care excellence.
A vintage-style infographic timeline showing einszett branding and years from 1945 to 1970, including einszett products, with illustrated containers and a yellow measurement scale.
einszett product evolution, 1945–1970.
Two men standing behind a counter in a retail store. The man on the left wears a white polo shirt, and the man on the right wears a dark suit jacket, light blue shirt, and dark tie.
At Newport Beach Porsche in 2001, one of einszett’s first North American dealer relationships helped launch the brand’s presence in the U.S. market.

einszett Comes to North America

In 2000, einszett entered the North American market for the first time, beginning with a small number of specialty dealers who recognized the quality and potential of the brand.

Among the earliest was Newport Beach Porsche, which became einszett’s first dealer in 2001. From those first placements, English-language product labels, catalogs, and marketing materials helped introduce einszett to a new audience of enthusiasts and professionals in the United States and beyond.
A retail display counter at Newport Beach Porsche (2001) filled with small merchandise, with several black and red shirts hanging on the wall behind, a person standing in the background, and fluorescent ceiling lights overhead.
Three Einszett wax containers on a store shelf at Newport Beach Porsche (2001) Express Polish in gray, Metallic Polish in red, and Glanz Wax in blue, with a white Einszett sign beside them.

The Products That Defined an Era

From groundbreaking formulations to iconic packaging, these products shaped the automotive detailing industry and set new standards for excellence.

A white plastic bottle of 1z einszett Gummi Pflege Stift rubber care stick with a purple label and a detached white cap placed beside it on a white background.
einszett Gummi Pflege

Gummi Pflege Stift

One of einszett’s most recognizable products in North America. Gummi Pflege became a favorite for conditioning rubber weather seals, helping reduce sticking, squeaks, and freezing in cold weather.

A bottle of 1z einszett Brand Cockpit Premium car windshield washer fluid on a plain white background.
einszett Cockpit Premium

Cockpit Premium

One of the products that changed expectations for interior care. Cockpit Premium was among the first interior detail sprays to leave a factory-matte finish instead of the glossy look common at the time, setting a standard that many later products would follow.

A 500ml metal can of 1z einszett Hartglanz Glanz Wax with a blue and white label and a red cap, shown next to its blue plastic lid on a white background.
einszett Glanz Wax

Glanz Wax

At a time when carnauba waxes dominated the market and synthetic protection was still relatively uncommon, Glanz Wax offered a pure synthetic polymer alternative. It stood alongside early enthusiast favorites such as Klasse and Zaino as part of the shift toward longer-lasting synthetic paint protection.

A 200ml bottle of 1z einszett Kristall Klar Washer Fluid concentrate, featuring a green and white label with a red and white logo, on a plain white background.
einszett Kristall Klar Washer Fluid

Kristall Klar Washer Fluid

Kristall Klar helped lead the move toward highly concentrated windshield washer additives long before concentrated tablets and similar formats became common. A small bottle treated a large volume of washer fluid while delivering strong cleaning and low-streak performance.

Part of the Enthusiast Community

From Porsche events and club gatherings to dealer shows and trackside sponsorships, einszett became part of the enthusiast community it served.

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Track Days

Pushing limits on the circuit

Car Shows

Showcasing perfection in every detail. First car show (2001)

Car Club Events

Supporting car enthusiasts

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Detailing Sessions

Crafting automotive excellence

A red Volkswagen Golf parked outdoors under a red, white, and blue striped canopy, with its trunk open. A market or fair booth with tables, einszett bottles, and a banner reading 'einszett' is set up beside it.

Car Culture

Where passion meets precision

A white pop-up canopy tent set up outdoors in front of a white building, with a red and white banner hanging behind it. Two men stand under the tent at a table with bottles and other items on display.

Dealer Events

Autogeek Detail Fest 2011

The Next Chapter

Today, einszett enters its next chapter—bringing back the classics that earned their reputation through German engineering, now developed and manufactured for the North American market.

The einszett Legacy line carries that tradition forward for a new generation.

Quality. Performance. Results.

The einszett Legacy Collection

A 3.4 fl oz foam applicator bottle of einszett 1z Gummi Pflege Stift rubber care stick, featuring a white and navy blue label with a red and white '14' logo, on a clean white background.
The Return of an Original

einszett Gummi Pflege

Honoring the trusted formula customers have relied on for years, einszett Legacy Gummi Pflege combines proven quality and performance with an improved applicator for easier, cleaner application.

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