[Danforz]

Hey guys... I ususally do my tires last and havn't had a problem. I'm curious why I should clean them first?

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by Danforz

Hey guys... I ususally do my tires last and havn't had a problem. I'm curious why I should clean them first?

Do your wheels and tires first...

If you clean afterwards, the spray from your hosing off will be all over the car that you just dried.... You can do the tire shine last...

[bimmernotbeamer]

Originally Posted by Danforz

Hey guys... I ususally do my tires last and havn't had a problem. I'm curious why I should clean them first?

If you wash your tires last the water on the paint from the wash will be sitting there drying and creating nasty water spots while you are washing your tires. Bavarian's point is also valid as well.

[martieg]

I prefer to wash tires first, for the reasons mentioned above, but also the flow of work feels easier (it's better to get done with the toughest part first!)

[DPritchett]

If you are using a tire and/or wheel cleaner -- its not good to get either on your paint. If you do the wheels first, then wash, you'll be removing any product that gets in your paint. Do them last, and the cleaner is the last thing that gets on your paint finish.

[CALIF65GM]

Originally Posted by lecatrache

I prefer to wash tires first, for the reasons mentioned above, but also the flow of work feels easier

+1

[BK]

+2 on the workflow. Washing them last would be a huge PITA. Not to mention the water spot issue. I wash tires and wheel wells first and dry them last.

[Danforz]

What if I'm just using Klasse AIO on the rims? I don't really use water when it comes to cleaning the rims as I find it rusts the brakes.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Danforz

What if I'm just using Klasse AIO on the rims? I don't really use water when it comes to cleaning the rims as I find it rusts the brakes.

I have difficulties washing my car without getting the wheels or brakes wet. I guess my aim is not that good.

After the next time you brake, the rust should be removed from the surface of the rotor.

[CnoteMD]

Unless you are using multiple buckets, I don't understand the reason for washing the tires first. My method allows the cleanest water to be used on the body panels, the lower panels next, then the wheels and tires last (a different sponge is used for the wheels and tires, but I use the leftover water).

I generally start by spraying the entire car down to loosen any large particles of dirt, etc. Then I wash my car starting at the top and working my way down to the lower panels (which are generally more dirty). I divide my car into a few manageable sections that can be washed and rinsed in about 2 minutes each. After spraying off one area, I start washing another. Once I am done with all of the body panels I'll wash the wheels and tires and then give the whole car another quick spray before drying. Total time about 10 minutes or so.

I would never dry my car BEFORE washing the tires.

[bimmernotbeamer]

Originally Posted by CnoteMD

Unless you are using multiple buckets, I don't understand the reason for washing the tires first. My method allows the cleanest water to be used on the body panels, the lower panels next, then the wheels and tires last (a different sponge is used for the wheels and tires, but I use the leftover water).

I generally start by spraying the entire car down to loosen any large particles of dirt, etc. Then I wash my car starting at the top and working my way down to the lower panels (which are generally more dirty). I divide my car into a few manageable sections that can be washed and rinsed in about 2 minutes each. After spraying off one area, I start washing another. Once I am done with all of the body panels I'll wash the wheels and tires and then give the whole car another quick spray before drying. Total time about 10 minutes or so.

I would never dry my car BEFORE washing the tires.

I use a dedicated bucket, sponges, and tools for cleaning my wheels. I fill up the bucket with water and soap, and when I'm done washing the wheels, I dump the water, clean my tools and begin washing my car with a different bucket and mitts.

[txusa03]

Originally Posted by DavidN

I use a dedicated bucket, sponges, and tools for cleaning my wheels. I fill up the bucket with water and soap, and when I'm done washing the wheels, I dump the water, clean my tools and begin washing my car with a different bucket and mitts.

+1 those fine brake dusts are nightmare on paint surfaces. I have seen folks wash their tires and use the same bucket of sudd and mitt to wash their car

[BK]

Originally Posted by CnoteMD

Unless you are using multiple buckets, I don't understand the reason for washing the tires first.

I think it's safe to say that those of us who wash tires first are using a different everything than we use for our paint.

FWIW, I generally follow the procedure outlined here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9145 (scroll down to "How to properly wash your car" - a good article)

[Brunotheboxer]

Originally Posted by DavidN

I use a dedicated bucket, sponges, and tools for cleaning my wheels. I fill up the bucket with water and soap, and when I'm done washing the wheels, I dump the water, clean my tools and begin washing my car with a different bucket and mitts.

+1.

[obLu]

I would never dry my car BEFORE washing the tires.

+1
Just seems natural to me to wash from the top down. But then only about 2mo out of the year do I have to worry about the sun actually drying the water off my car.

[CnoteMD]

Originally Posted by BK

I think it's safe to say that those of us who wash tires first are using a different everything than we use for our paint.

FWIW, I generally follow the procedure outlined here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9145 (scroll down to "How to properly wash your car" - a good article)

Thanks for the post. It was probably one of the most thorough descriptions of washing a car I've ever seen. It looks like I was following some of the techniques, except that I washed the tires last. I always figured if any part of my car were to be washed with dirty water, the wheels and tires wouldn't be as affected. I'll try following those directions next time I am able to wash my car myself.

[BK]

Originally Posted by CnoteMD

Thanks for the post. It was probably one of the most thorough descriptions of washing a car I've ever seen. It looks like I was following some of the techniques, except that I washed the tires last. I always figured if any part of my car were to be washed with dirty water, the wheels and tires wouldn't be as affected. I'll try following those directions next time I am able to wash my car myself.

You're welcome. It's one of those things where if you aren't as wrapped up about your car as we are here, you'd read it and think the guy who wrote it is way too obsessive. I mean, who would write such a long article on washing a car, for chrissakes? But then you read it, and it is good, useful information and you appreciate that DavidN put so much time into writing it. Glad you found it useful, too.

[bimmernotbeamer]

Originally Posted by BK

You're welcome. It's one of those things where if you aren't as wrapped up about your car as we are here, you'd read it and think the guy who wrote it is way too obsessive. I mean, who would write such a long article on washing a car, for chrissakes? But then you read it, and it is good, useful information and you appreciate that DavidN put so much time into writing it. Glad you found it useful, too.

I am obsessive! hahahaha!

Glad you guys liked it!