Wheel Care & Maintenance
Wheel Care & Maintenance
Protecting your investment starts with how you clean it. Jackman wheels are finished to exacting standards, painted, machined, and clear-coated to last. The right cleaning routine keeps them looking sharp and protects your finish warranty. The wrong products can void it.
How Often to Clean Clean your wheels every 1–2 weeks under normal driving conditions. More frequently if you drive in wet weather, on salted roads, or off-road. Brake dust, road salt, and trail debris are the biggest enemies of a wheel finish, the longer they sit, the harder they are to remove and the more damage they cause.
What You'll Need
- Mild soap or pH-neutral wheel cleaner
- Soft-bristle wheel brush or microfiber wash mitt
- Separate brush for barrel and spokes
- Microfiber drying towel
- Optional: wheel sealant or carnauba wax for added protection
Cleaning Steps
- Let your wheels cool completely before washing. Never apply water or cleaner to a hot wheel, thermal shock can damage the finish and cause discoloration.
- Rinse the wheel thoroughly with clean water to remove loose dirt and debris before applying any cleaner.
- Apply a pH-neutral wheel cleaner or mild soap solution to the wheel surface.
- Use a soft-bristle brush or microfiber mitt to clean the face, spokes, and barrel. Work from the center outward.
- Pay attention to the area around the lug holes and between spokes where brake dust accumulates.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Make sure no cleaner residue remains in crevices or around the valve stem.
- Dry immediately with a clean microfiber towel. Do not air dry, water spots and mineral deposits can etch into the finish over time.
- Optional: apply a light coat of wheel sealant or carnauba wax to protect the clear coat and make future cleaning easier.
What Not to Use Avoid the following they can permanently damage your finish and will void your Five-Year Finish Warranty:
- Acid-based wheel cleaners
- Abrasive brushes, steel wool, or scouring pads
- Harsh degreasers or engine cleaners
- Automatic car wash chemicals or brushes
- Solvent-based products
- Pressure washers aimed directly at the wheel face at close range
Off-Road & Trail Use After any off-road use, rinse your wheels as soon as possible. Mud, clay, and trail debris trap moisture against the finish and accelerate corrosion. Pay special attention to the barrel and inside of the spoke pockets where debris collects and is harder to see.
Seasonal Care If you drive in areas with road salt during winter months, rinse your wheels after every drive in salted conditions. Salt is one of the most damaging elements to any wheel finish, including clear-coated and machined surfaces. Chemical corrosion caused by road salt, harsh cleaners, or climate exposure is not covered under warranty, so staying on top of winter cleaning is worth the extra few minutes.
Storage If removing your wheels for seasonal storage, clean and dry them thoroughly before storing. Keep them in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. Store vertically or flat, avoid stacking directly on the finish. Use wheel bags if available.
Inspect Regularly Each time you clean your wheels, take a moment to inspect for cracks, bends, impact damage, corrosion, finish lifting, and loose fasteners. If you notice anything unusual, stop driving on the wheel and contact us before your next drive. Catching damage early prevents small issues from becoming safety concerns.
For full safety inspection guidelines, download the Jackman Wheels Owner's Manual & Installation Guide on our Resources page.
Questions? Reach us at info@jackmanwheels.com or through the contact form on our website. We're happy to help with any finish or maintenance questions.