How to Clean Matte Wheels & Rims

Last Updated September 23, 2024

Satin wheels and matte black rims are more common than ever on vehicles these days, even on cars with glossy paint bodies. 

Whether they’re on a Tesla, BMW, Dodge or Mercedes-Benz, matte wheels have a sleek, stealthy look that stands out in a sea of chrome rims. The trouble is, they can be a little tricky to keep clean and looking good.

Matte finishes, whether they’re on paint or wheels, can’t be polished to remove scratches or bonded contaminants like brake dust or tar. 

At the same time, you also can’t use any cleaning products that contain waxes or silicones, as they fill in the matte paint’s light-scattering micro-texture and produce gloss. 

Thankfully, with the right products and a proactive approach you can clean matte wheels easily and even protect them for future ease of cleaning. In this article, we’ll go step-by-step through the correct process for cleaning matte wheels and rims. Follow along below!

Why Matte Wheels & Rims Need Special Care

First off, let’s get a major myth out of the way: Matte wheels are not “sensitive”. 

Matte wheels are like any other wheels — they get dirty and need to be cleaned. There’s nothing about them that makes them more “sensitive” or prone to dirtying. 

What makes matte finishes different is not that they’re sensitive; it’s that they are altered and even damaged by traditional cleaning and protecting methods. 

Like we mentioned in the intro, matte finishes look matte because they have a microscopic texture that scatters light instead of reflecting it like a smooth glossy surface. 

Most car detailing products have ingredients to produce gloss—wax, oil, silicone—which fill-in imperfections. This flattens the matte texture and produces a sickly, semi-gloss appearance. Yuck. 

Polishing matte also flattens the texture, so you can’t use a machine buffer to remove scratches or bonded stains like water spots like you would on glossy paint. 

That’s why it’s so important to keep matte wheels and rims clean and protected: It’s not that they get dirty more easily—it’s that once they’re dirty, your options for cleaning are limited. 

What You’ll Need to Clean Matte Wheels

Before getting started, gather the following materials:

• Matte-specific wheel cleaner: Regular wheel cleaners sometimes contain oils or silicones intended to add shine to the wheel. Some are also too caustic to use on a matte finish. Look for a wheel cleanser designed specifically for matte finishes that’s pH balanced and contains no wax. 
• Soft-bristle (flag-tipped) wheel brush: A gentle brush with flagged tips helps remove dirt without scratching.
• Microfiber towels: These are perfect for wiping down wheels without leaving lint or scratches.
• Bucket of water with Grit Guard: Use a rinse bucket lined with a Grit Guard for rinsing your tools and wheels without reintroducing grime.
• pH-neutral matte-safe car shampoo (optional): For wheels that aren’t extremely dirty, a pH-neutral car shampoo mixed with water can suffice.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Clean Matte Wheels and Rims

1. Prepare Your Cleaning Area

Park your car in a shaded area or inside a garage, away from direct sunlight. This prevents the cleaner from drying too quickly on the wheel’s surface, which can cause streaking. Make sure the wheels are cool to the touch.

2. Rinse the Wheels Thoroughly

Use a hose or pressure washer to rinse off loose dirt, brake dust, and grime. This step is crucial as it prevents dirt particles from scratching the wheel as you agitate the suds with your brush. 

3. Apply Matte-Specific Wheel Cleaner

Spray the matte wheel cleaner generously onto the wheel surface from the bottom up to avoid drip marks. Make sure to cover all areas, including the inner barrel of the wheel and any tight spaces where dirt might be trapped. Allow the cleaner to dwell for a few minutes, but do not let it dry.

4. Gently Scrub with a Soft-Bristle Brush

Using a soft-bristle wheel brush, gently scrub the wheels in a circular motion. Focus on one wheel at a time to ensure thorough cleaning. Pay special attention to areas with heavy brake dust buildup. The brush’s gentle bristles will help dislodge dirt without scratching the matte finish.

5. Rinse with Clean Water

After scrubbing, rinse the wheel thoroughly with clean water. Ensure all the cleaner and grime are washed away to prevent streaking.

6. Dry with Microfiber Towels

Using a clean microfiber towel, dry the wheels completely. Blot the surface rather than rubbing to avoid creating shiny spots. Drying the wheels not only prevents water spots but also helps you inspect the wheels for any missed spots.

7. Inspect and Repeat if Necessary

Inspect the wheels for any remaining dirt or streaks. If you notice any spots, repeat the cleaning process as needed.

8. Protect with a Matte Wheel Sealant

To help make cleaning easier in the future, protect the matte wheels with a sealant designed for matte wheels. This will help capture contaminants like brake dust so they won’t stick and can easily be rinsed away in a wash. 

Tips for Maintaining Matte Wheels

• Avoid Automatic Car Washes: Dirty, hard bristles used in automatic car wash brushes can scratch matte finishes. Scratches can only be repaired by repainting. Always opt for a hand wash.
• No Waxing or Polishing: Matte finishes have a texture that scatters light so as to be non-reflective. Applying wax fills in the texture, while polishing sands it down. This creates shiny spots, ruining the matte look.
• Regular Cleaning: Clean your wheels whenever you wash your car (about twice a month or as needed) to ensure paint-damaging contaminants don’t stick for too long.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using Acidic or Abrasive Cleaners: These can etch into the matte finish, causing irreversible damage.
• Scrubbing Too Hard: Aggressive scrubbing can leave shiny spots on matte black wheels.
• Using Dirty Towels or Brushes: Contaminants in used towels or brushes can scratch the finish.

Cleaning matte wheels requires a bit more care and attention than glossy wheels, but with the right products and techniques, you can keep your matte black rims looking as sharp as the day you got them. Regular cleaning with matte-specific products, gentle scrubbing, and proper drying will ensure your wheels stay flawless and continue to stand out on the road.

Following this guide will help you master how to clean matte wheels and rims, preserving the unique, non-reflective look that makes your car special. Remember, the key is gentle care and using the right products specifically designed for matte finishes. Happy cleaning!