Wheels, Tires & Glass

Wheels and tires are the dirtiest, most abrasive surfaces on a car, which is exactly why they get cleaned first— before the paint, so the baked-on brake dust and grit you knock loose don’t end up on a clean panel or, worse, in your wash mitt. Done right, this is also the job with the most visible payoff: clean wheels and freshly dressed tires make a car look detailed even when you’ve done nothing else.

The key decision on wheel cleaners is whether you need a simple cleaner or a decontaminating one. For regular upkeep, a pH-balanced spray or gel that clings and rinses is plenty. For neglected wheels with bonded iron fallout, a color-changing iron remover— it turns purple as it dissolves the metal particles — does in one spray what scrubbing can’t. Just confirm any cleaner is safe for your specific finish; acid-based cleaners can etch delicate or polished wheels.

On tire shine, the choice is finish and effort. A thick gel applied with a pad lasts longest and slings least onto your paint; a spray is faster but messier; and a dilutable dressing lets you dial anywhere from a natural matte to a wet-look gloss. And glass gets the same no-nonsense treatment: an ammonia-free, tint-safe glass cleaner and good technique are all it takes for streak-free windows. Below are our picks for all three jobs, plus the routines that keep the whole corner of the car easy.