Looking for a good wheel brush

swamp2 · 02-19-2010, 01:49 AM

For my OEM 19" wheels I like the brush I picked up at the local auto parts store, the blue one 4th from left. I never let the grime build up too much and always use a good safe wheel cleaner (P21S or Chemical Guys). For my new wheels the gaps between the spokes are smaller. I ordered this one from Chemical guys since it is narrower but it is not long enough and feels too firm/abrasive.

My ideal brush would be one that is soft since my build up is never too bad, long to reach far back on the inside of the wheel barrel, hopefully something that I can clean the entire tire and wheel with and durable. Anyone know of a brush that fits the bill?

Thanks.

Dartanium · 02-19-2010, 02:19 AM

maybe something along the lines of a paint brush on a softness scale

perhaps something like this, there are many more choice on the site
http://www.autogeek.net/car-wash-brush.html

ChineseGuy · 02-19-2010, 04:16 AM

Raceglaze brush set...comes with 5 brushes in different sizes...

That one seems to work on many style of rims, and it'll take care of some hard to get places in the car body and interior as well.

Not sure where to get it from where you live though...but if you don't mind ordering online, then try autowerkes exclusive...

OG_M3 · 02-20-2010, 12:24 AM

this:

http://www.autogeek.net/ez-detail-brush-mini.html

or this:

http://www.autogeek.net/ezdebrfca.html

Envious Eric · 02-20-2010, 02:35 AM

enough said:
http://www.detailedimage.com/DI-Acce.../Full-Size-S1/

or you can get the mini. pick up some CG diablo while you are at it if you havent used that yet
http://www.detailedimage.com/Chemica...P414/16-oz-S1/

Lemans_Blue_M · 02-20-2010, 07:21 AM

Swamp,

The best wheel brush on the market in my opinion is the Daytona wheel cleaning brush.

http://www.autogeek.net/ezdebrfca.html

This is a really good wheel brush swamp. You can clean those hard to reach areas between the spokes and the inner wheel barrel. (without having to remove the wheel)

The bristles are made from a softer synthetic nylon material. (nylex)

The E-Z Detail brush that the other guys have recommended is also very good, but I've found that it's just a little TOO STIFF for my liking.

I never allow my wheels to get to that dirty, so a really stiff nylon bristle brush is a little over the top for my needs.

I bought the Daytona wheel brush, after a friend of mine recommended it to me. (he's a professional detailer)

He actually uses both brushes, and the E-Z detail is the one he uses "at work" the most, since the stiffer bristles actually help clean the wheels better on cars that are not very well maintained by the owners on a regular basis. On wheels that are neglected, the E-Z Detail brush does a better job, because it has more scrubbing power to remove brake dust buildup and road grime. But the funny thing is...he uses the Daytona on his own SUV, since it's actually softer and less stiff that the E-Z Detail brush.

I like the Daytona brush because the bristle count is lower than the E-Z Detail brush (less dense around the shaft), and that allows me to clean in and around the brake disc, brake calipers, and the small "windows" between the spokes of my wheels. The Daytona is superior in mind, due to a few minor design details. The improvement in flexibility allows the Daytona to clean in those very tight spots where the E-Z Detail brush may has a little trouble reaching.

That's why I think the Daytona wheel brush is a little better than the E-Z Detail brush, even though the two products are very similar in size and shape. (nearly identical to the naked eye in fact) The Daytona wheel brush is actually an evolution of the original E-Z Detail brush. It's sold under license by the owners of the E-Z Detail, Inc. (since January 2009)

I contacted Dean Henderson (the owner of E-Z Detail, Inc.) last spring when this product first came out, and I wanted to know how this was any different than their current E-Z Detail brush?

He told me they reduced the density of the bristles, so you could squeeze the brush into tighter spots that are typically harder to reach with this type of wheel brush design. He also told me the Daytona wheel brush has a reinforced shaft to improve the strength of the brush when your are flexing and twisting it a various angles.

As it turns out, the original E-Z Detail brush was never actually designed to clean wheels at all. E-Z Detail designed that brush many years ago to clean and detail motorcycles. (not alloy wheels) Owners just started using it to clean their wheels as well, due to it's shape.

The Daytona wheel brush however IS specifically designed to clean alloy wheels.

The devil is always in the minor details that most people either can't see, don't know, or don't fully understand...

In 20+ years of detail cleaning my own wheels (for hours in some cases), the Daytona barrel-type wheel brush is a godsend.

Do yourself a huge favor swamp, and buy this particular wheel cleaning brush. You'll be very satisfied with the results you get from this wheel cleaning product. Like you, I searched for years to find the right wheel cleaning brush that could get the job done. (without scratching my damn wheels!

)

Trust me on this...

BTW: If you've noticed on the boards, I never personally recommend any lackluster performing or sub-standard quality products. Ever. (please keep that in mind)

I have a few photos of the two brushes (taken side-by-side last summer), so you can see some of the subtle differences I just mentioned.

E-Z Detail wheel brush = BLUE , Daytona wheel brush = RED

Jaypod · 02-20-2010, 07:43 AM

Thanks for the info Lemans - I have the Daytona and didnt even realize the difference, just figured mine was red.

I had told my buddy about the brush and he saw them and picked up two and gave one to me.

Griz · 02-20-2010, 09:56 AM

I use 3 brushes (and hardly ever use wheel cleaners):
- Daytona wheel brush - barrel, behind spokes
- Standard, soft bristle tire/wheel brush - wheel face
- Swissvax detail brush - lug nut, caliper and other fine details

Quote:

Originally Posted by swamp2

I ordered this one from Chemical guys since it is narrower but it is not long enough and feels too firm/abrasive.

This brush looks very similar (if not identical) to one that I've bought at Autozone. I found it to be cumbersome, and I spent entirely too much time trying to get the wheels clean with that thing.

SchnellM3 · 02-20-2010, 06:54 PM

I use brushes that I got at my BMW dealer they work the best and they were cheap like $35. It comes with 3 attachments and works great on my 19s

http://www.amazon.com/BMW-Genuine-Or.../dp/B000V3RKEA

swamp2 · 02-22-2010, 01:08 PM

Thanks for all the tips guys. However, I think some of you did not really look at the details of my request. LMB - you certainly did. That looks like a great brush and I ordered it. Shipping was a rip off though at $11 for ground...

I might add the Swissvax brush for the lug nut pockets.

dr.jay · 02-22-2010, 01:27 PM

I have the EZ Detail brush, it works great but you will find out that when you are removing the brush from the barrels behind the face you'll get covered with dirt and wheel cleaner. After a summer of ruining many shirts and having gunk all over me I ordered a Raceglaze XL brush from Autowerkesexclusive.com, its by far the best wheel brush I have used to date. Side note: you will still need a brush for the face of your wheels.

OMID INC · 02-22-2010, 04:54 PM

I use the Swissvax wheel brush for smaller areas like the lug nut area and corners of spokes and also the Boars Hair Wheel Brush I bought from Phil @ Detailer's Domain for the face and larger gaps in the spokes.

I have not used this, but I suggest you try this out for the inner barrel of the wheel. Its called the Ace Powerstick/ Turbostick . I have not seen it many places except for here http://www.aceturbostick.com/Index_.html.

SchnellM3 · 03-03-2010, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemans_Blue_M