Wheels with carbon ceramic brakes need a thoughtful cleaning routine. In this video, Bradley demonstrates a maintenance wash on our Porsche GT3 RS after a long, rainy drive, covering product selection, cleaning tools, and the difference between routine upkeep and deeper decontamination.
Watch the full carbon ceramic wheel-cleaning walkthrough.
Begin with the Brake System and Wheel Condition
Bradley demonstrates maintenance cleaning on the Porsche GT3 RS after a long drive through rainy weather. Much of the dirt is ordinary road grime. That matters because carbon ceramic brakes do not create the same routine iron-dust cleaning demand as a conventional iron brake setup.
They can still collect road contamination, including iron from the surrounding environment. The choice is not between never cleaning thoroughly and using the strongest wheel chemical at every wash. Inspect the wheel, understand the brake system, and choose a compatible method for the actual contamination.
Follow the vehicle and wheel manufacturers' care instructions first. Carbon ceramic systems and wheel finishes vary, so this demonstration on one Porsche is not blanket approval for every chemical on every high-performance car.
Let the Entire Assembly Cool
Do not start rinsing immediately after a hard drive or track session. Allow the wheel and brake assembly to cool fully before introducing water or cleaners. A wheel face that seems manageable does not mean every brake component has reached a suitable cleaning temperature.
Work out of direct sunlight where possible and prepare your tools while the vehicle cools. Once ready, use a controlled pre-rinse to remove loose dirt. Avoid blasting close to the wheel or trying to force contamination out with extreme pressure.
Choose Compatible Chemistry
Bradley advises against acid-based wheel cleaners for this application. Porsche's wheel-care guidance also discusses avoiding acidic cleaners, minimizing contact with discs and pads, and rinsing cold wheels gently.
For maintenance on the GT3 RS shown, Bradley uses CLEAN APC at 4:1, then adds a light layer of Decon Soap foam for lubrication while using the tools. Four-to-one means four parts water to one part concentrate. Test compatibility, follow the current directions, and keep the products from drying.
For heavier contamination or preparation before wheel coating, he discusses Armour Wheel Cleaner and dedicated Tire Cleaner. In the video, he specifically distinguishes Armour's formulation from making claims about every iron-removing cleaner on the market. Do not assume that “pH neutral” or a purple reaction alone establishes compatibility with your brake system.
Use a deeper iron-removal process only when appropriate for the dirt and approved for the vehicle. Keep cleaner contact with braking components as limited as practicable and rinse thoroughly according to the relevant directions.
Set Up Dedicated Wheel Tools
Use a separate wheel bucket and tools reserved for wheels and tires. Bradley uses a suitably sized soft barrel brush, a microfiber wheel mitt for the face and spoke shapes, a smaller brush for detail areas, and a separate tire brush.
Check that the barrel brush fits the available clearance around the caliper and wheel. Do not force a brush into a tight space or allow its handle or exposed core to knock against the finish. A tool that fits a large open wheel may be unsuitable for a more restricted design.
Rinse and inspect the tools as they collect dirt. A protected wheel can still be scratched by trapped grit, and wheel contamination should not return to paint wash media.
Follow the Maintenance Cleaning Sequence
- Pre-rinse the cool wheel. Remove loose road dirt before agitation.
- Apply the compatible maintenance cleaner. Bradley uses CLEAN at the dilution discussed above, monitoring the surface so it stays wet.
- Add the demonstrated light foam layer. The Decon Soap provides lubrication for the tools in this specific process. Do not assume unrelated cleaners can be combined.
- Clean the barrel first. Work accessible areas with the appropriately sized soft brush, keeping the tool controlled.
- Clean the face and spoke details. A microfiber mitt helps reach around shapes without relying on a stiff brush over the whole wheel.
- Address small recesses. Use the detail brush around hardware and the valve area where appropriate.
- Scrub the tire separately. Use the tire brush without transferring its residue back to the wheel face.
- Rinse all residue completely. Inspect for remaining dirt before adding protection.
Shorten the working area if the weather is reducing dwell time. Do not let a cleaner dry while you finish another wheel. A routine maintenance pass also does not have to strip every trace of existing tire dressing if the surface is clean and the finish remains suitable.
When Does a Deeper Cleaning Make Sense?
Bradley explains that wheels can pick up ferrous road contamination despite their carbon ceramic rotors. An occasional deeper cleaning may be useful when deposits remain or before a wheel coating installation, provided the products and process suit the vehicle.
Do not use a fixed calendar interval as proof that every wheel needs the same treatment. Consider mileage, environment, the remaining contamination after maintenance cleaning, and manufacturer guidance. Our wheel coating guide covers the additional preparation required before coating.
Protect the Wheel and Finish the Tire
Bradley finishes the wheel surfaces with a light application of BEADS, followed by the spreading rinse and a thorough final rinse. Keep sealant away from brake discs, pads, and tire tread. Follow our BEADS application guide for the current standard directions.
Dry with a suitable blower or dedicated wheel towel. Apply Tire+ evenly to clean, dry sidewalls only, then level excess and allow it to dry as directed. The completed result should be clean and consistent, without wet dressing remaining near the braking surfaces.
Do carbon ceramic wheels never need iron removal?
They may collect iron from road exposure. Assess the actual contamination and confirm compatibility rather than assuming either that iron removal is always needed or that it is never appropriate.
Can I use any wheel cleaner marked safe for wheels?
Check the brake-system and finish requirements as well. A broad wheel claim does not replace the specific care instructions for the vehicle.