Care guide · 4 steps
Wheel cleaning & care
WORK wheels are finished to a very high standard. A gentle wash every week or two — room-temperature water, pH-neutral soap, dry straight away — is all it takes to keep them that way.
Multi-piece wheels usually have anodised barrels; one-piece wheels are aluminium alloy with a protective coating. Brake dust, salt, grime and hard water are what damage them.
How to wash
Four simple steps
1
Rinse
Rinse lightly with clean, room-temperature water to lift loose grit and brake dust before you touch the wheel.
2
Gentle wash
Soft microfibre, plenty of water and pH-neutral soap. No abrasive tools, no hard scrubbing.
3
Dry completely
Dry straight away with a clean microfibre towel — this is what stops water spots.
4
Repeat often
Little and often. Regular light washes protect the finish better than an occasional deep clean.
What you’ll need
Keep it simple
- Clean water at room temperature — not hot
- pH-neutral car wash soap
- Soft microfibre wash mitt or towel
- A separate clean microfibre towel for drying
- Optional: a soft, non-abrasive detailing brush
Why it matters
What damages wheels
- Brake dust is corrosive — left on, it stains and pits the surface
- Salt, mud, tar and moisture cause oxidation and discolouration
- Water spots form when minerals dry on the wheel
- Regular light washes avoid the need for harsh “deep cleans”
Best practice
Do & don’t
Do
- Clean only when the wheels are cool
- Wash regularly so brake dust can’t build up
- Use pH-neutral products
- Use plenty of water
- Dry thoroughly after every wash
Don’t
- Use strong acidic, alkaline or abrasive cleaners
- Use metal brushes, scrubbing pads or sandpaper
- Rely on automatic car washes
- Steam clean the wheels or decals
- Pressure wash close to the surface
Discolouration & water spots
How to stop spotting
Brake dust, minerals in the water and road contaminants left on the wheel are what cause it. Dry straight after washing and skip harsh chemicals — that’s most of the battle.
- Wash only when the wheels are cool
- Avoid washing in direct sun
- Rinse well and dry immediately
- Hard-water area? Filtered water helps (optional)
Tip: frequent gentle cleaning is safer than stronger chemicals used less often.
By finish
Finish-specific notes
- Anodised
- No acidic or alkaline cleaners
- Polished lips
- Never use abrasives
- Matte
- No gloss or shine products
- Decals
- No steam, no aggressive pressure washing
How often
Cleaning frequency
Daily driver
Every week or two
Rain or beach
As soon as you can
After the track
Once fully cooled
Going into storage
Clean first, check now and then
Not sure a product is safe?
Check with the product’s manufacturer before you use it on your wheels. If in doubt, stick to room-temperature water, pH-neutral soap and a soft microfibre.