Look for a brush with no exposed metal elements or hard edges around the bristles. Not only will this help the brush last longer, but it also means your alloys won't get damaged while you're cleaning them. What else do I need to clean my wheels? Wheels are an expensive part to any car and detailed wheels & tyres can really make the difference in the overall look of a vehicle. We've searched hard to find a great selection of what we feel are some of the best wheel brushes, accessories and tyre dressing applicators available on the market today. Some of the most popular brands include genuine Wheel Woolies, EZ Detail Brush, Vikan to name but a few. Extras - Rubber-coated edges will help prevent scratches if you accidentally catch an alloy with one, and a rubber-coated handle will continue to be grippy even when the brush is wet.

View offer What you need to know about wheel brushes: What should I look for in a good wheel brush? Constructed with an extra-large head, containing hundreds of super-durable, polymer fibre bristles, this premium arch brush makes short work of the heaviest contaminants including mud, road salt, grime and debris.

How to use

Having a scrub brush in your detailing arsenal will never let you down. You can use them on any fabric surface as well as plastic wheel liners. Occasionally you may need to return an item which you have received, if you are not satisfied with your item you can return the item to uswithin 14 daysof receipt.

What I love most about these is the fact that the material is so soft, it can be used on all surfaces. Unlike the other brushes I’ve mentioned so far, these are 100% safe to use on paint, chromes, grilles, and even your wheels. Cleaning the wheel wells of a car that’s been lowered can be almost impossible, even with the smallest of brushes. You may look at these brushes and think that any old bristled object may suffice for cleaning your wheels. While you're technically correct, you risk damaging your alloys, and the results won't be anywhere near as good. The main problem I have with these, especially when using them for wheel wells is the fact that they’re so soft. They’re absolutely great for plastic splash guards but are pretty useless on carpeted ones. If I was you I’d rather be safe than sorry and use it on surfaces that can’t be scratched with ease, such as your engine bay or wheel arches.Versatility - If you have alloys with an intricate design, you'll be wanting a tapered brush head to get into those hard-to-reach areas. Also, remember that smaller, more versatile wheel brushes can clean grilles and other external parts of your car that may be awkward to reach with a wash mitt (make sure you've thoroughly cleaned the wheel grime off them, of course). Bristles - The general rule worth following is to go as soft as you can for cleaning anything metal and tougher for cleaning tyres. There's little difference in terms of performance between lambswool, nylon and microfibre, so it'll likely fall down to personal preference. Taking the wheels off a car will allow you to perform a much deeper clean on the wheel itself as well as the wheel well. It would also give you the option to use drill brushes and other cleaning equipment that you may have.

Materials - A good barrel brush will either use nylon, microfibre or lambswool for the brush head. Which head material you prefer will depend almost purely on personal preference. All offer roughly the same cleaning abilities and require the same level of maintenance. There are a couple of technical differences, but for personal use, there isn't anything that places one above the others. Now, the problem that you’ll face when using scrub brushes on the wheels wells is that it takes a lot of effort. You’ll have to get down on your knees and be willing to get up close and personal with your car. This is due to their very short handles.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. Pair with your favorite wheel cleaner from Autobrite, and remove dirt and grime from hard-to-reach areas of your car, motorcycle, or motorhome. The handle is even non-slip so you won’t have to worry about it jumping out of your hand while you’re trying to wash your arches. It also comes with a protective rubber bumper just in case it does. Finally it's well worth while getting a torque wrench to ensure the wheel bolts are tightened "enough" but not too tight, especially for alloys wheels with conical studs. Barrel brushes can be used for more than just alloys too. Car grilles, exhausts, intricate styling features and engine bays will have their fair share of hard-to-clean nooks that a barrel brush can be used in too. Just make sure it's clean first. What to look for in a good barrel brush:

Barrel brushes are the only real way of cleaning the rear wheels of a Gandini masterpiece. These brushes are designed to slip effortlessly between the rim and brake disc to clean those inner barrels without having to dig out the impact wrench, allowing for the easy cleaning of a classic Lambo. The scrubbing ability that they offer is great and it will really help you to get rid of some of the stubborn dirt that you find in your wheel wells. It’s especially great for wheel liners that are carpeted or are made up of tougher materials. Perfect as a wheel arch brush and tyre brush. This must-have car detailing accessory is great for cleaning dirty wheels and difficult-to-reach areas on your vehicle. The long handle makes reaching suspension components, engine bays, lower sills, and under-wheel arches much easier. The soft-bristled brush is non-scratch and has an ergonomic design with comfort grip for excellent cleaning and moveability. But, when it comes to washing your wheel arches and dirty surfaces that you don’t mind taking a harsh brush to, I can’t fault it. Versatility - A good barrel brush will be able to clean a multitude of areas with relative ease. Consider the styling of your alloys. If any particularly small nooks may require an even smaller barrel brush to properly clean. Also, think about the size of your brake discs and overall access. A narrow, pliable brush will prove its value here. A wheel arch brush, on the other hand, will require less thought.

If your alloys are going to their job and improve the look of your car, they need to be clean, and the best way to keep them sparkling is with a good cleaner and a brush designed for the task. A good brush has to be tough enough to clean effectively, but not to the point where it could damage the lacquer finish. But if your wheels have a particularly complex design, you might need to buy two brushes to reach every part. Another stumbling point would be the price. Chemical guys is a really well-known brand and these are among the best wheel woolies on the market. While they’re great for cleaning wheels and can be used on the wheel wells, they aren’t specifically designed for cleaning wheel wells. At what point do you realise the usefulness of barrel brushes as part of your set of car cleaning products? Well, all but the earliest Lamborghini Countachs came with ridiculously wide 345/35 ZR15 rear tyres. Not only does this give the rear end of the Countach a muscular squat that could rival a professional strongman, but it also means the inner barrel of the alloys are incredibly deep and hard to clean without removing the wheel first. Simply using a brush and some water won't give you the best results. We recommend looking at getting some proper alloy wheel cleaner to get top results. For a more thorough job, you may want to consider a fallout remover, pre-wash and even snow foam to help agitate and remove dirt.