While it helps to have a car lift in the garage; I've always cleaned and polished the inside of the wheels, and if its a really nice car, the underside.

The X150 has a stainless muffler that just begs to be polished.

.

 

I clean the back sides of my wheels when I have them off for a different reason, say brakes or tire changes. On that note, next time they are off I will paint the inside dish a gloss black to facilitate cleaning thenceforth.

 

That's what I did when I had mine completely refurbished.
www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xk-xkr-x150-33/refinishing-wheels-opinions-color-193117/page4/

 

I wash the wheels completely on both sides, along with the caliper and wheel well each wash. I also wash the muffler and inside the exhaust pipe (wheel brush the shaken out of excess soapy water) every wash. Makes a difference. Our Volvo's exhaust still looks newish after 3 years!

The Jag's have a nice muffler that is partially exposed, so I think they should be washed regularly. The muffler is the first thing I wash because the driveway is still dry to get under the car!

 

 

Been there and done that too. Time to do it again.

 

When I purchased my 2010 XK Coupe 3 years ago with only 4,800 miles, the car as well as wheels were in like new condition...if for no other reason than non or so little use. I continued the tradition for almost 3 years until it became over the top and too much work. I had all the detail tools from Auto Geek and cleaned each spoke and the inner wheels thoroughly. I now give it to Jaguar for my washes and I'm fine with it. Cleaning behind the wheels might make some owners feel better ( as it did for me) but who the hell looks back there?? These are not yet show cars, but I understand the fanaticism that comes with car ownership. I'm not knocking it as I still somewhat have the disease for perfection. My 8 year old car still looks new and at least I'm fine with it. It's all a matter of the comfort zone for each of us.

 

I did it once 3 years ago and never needed to again- which was the reason.

 

The wheels stay clean longer when they are totally clean to start with. When I pick a car to purchase; ease of wheel cleaning is at the top. If it has a complicated wheel design to wash, I will not buy that car. The wheels are the biggest time suck washing a car and I don't want to extend it purely on a wheel design. Borrani mesh wheels.... No thank you. The other wheel things that drives me crazy is rim weight residue. I make sure it is removed on any tire service. How even the fanciest marques just leave there when they have to re-balance a wheel is beyond me.

 

I love the look of the Caravelas but they are a pain to keep clean so I try to clean them once per week. Have not done the insides yet but it's on the list. Probably do it when I change the air filters in the spring. Seems to be easier to clean and polymer coat with the wheels off.

 

I sprayed the underside with cosmoline and only studiously wipe down the outside of the wheels. OCD says make a clean spot on the back side and you'll be all day making all the spots clean. Worse than polishing the spokes on the Harley.

 

Not for me, because I'd have to jack the car up and down multiple times, use hand tools to remove and reinstall each wheel, and then tighten each lug nut with my torque wrench to 92 ft. lbs.

I had the inside barrels painted black so the dirt would be less noticeable. I'll use my power washer wand behind each wheel to give the inside barrels a quickie because they're just going to get dirty again.

 

Mine are currently black with dirt and brake dust. Maybe I should just leave it

 

What dirt and brake dust? If you can't see it on the inside barrels, then it's not there!

 

Yes, I clean the inside but it's pretty easy with the Senta's.

It's the details that make your car stand out!:-)

 

If I ever get run over by a vehicle then this has got to be the one. There's Winter days when the bodywork on my XK doesn't look this shiny!



YES - the wheels come off my cars twice a year. Primarily to check the inner tyre sidewalls, brakelines and suspension for damage but I also take the opportunity to thoroughly clean the insides of the rims.

It was this routine alerted me to serious corrosion on the Sepangs fitted to my 2005 XK8 which developed over a few months. Without the wheels off and cleaned, I'd never have seen it.

Graham

 

need a raincoat but...

 

^^^^ Now that's what I'ma talkin' bout !! ^^^