I've just spent an hour removing the two front wheels from my car, giving them a proper good clean with soapy water (i do this frequently so brake dust comes off easy as anything)... and then applied some normal body wax to them. Also pressure washed (gently..!) the insides of the wheel arches, the springs and the shock absorbers - amazing how caked on the road dirt was even after only 2 months of winter motoring...

Would post pictures only it's dark and I've been for a two mile drive since and made them all dirty again

Can anyone convince me this is worth it? :(

http://dev.twixcoding.com/ed/100_1740.JPG

http://dev.twixcoding.com/ed/100_1740.JPG

Is this the after picture mate after you have been for your 2 mile drive?

It is worth it but depends on how you feel about looking after your car? If you have the time and patience then it's worth it IMHO as it prevent decay of the wheel insides and stops build up of dirt and grime in the arches and on suspension...........

That's after the two mile drive.

To be honest I should've used a clay bar or something as the insides of the wheels are completely plastered in tar spots that with normal cleaning stuff are completely immovable :(

Additionally you may notice the dark brown-ish stains in the corners of each spoke - you got any tips for getting rid of that? :(

I care a lot about the car; want it to last a good 200,000 miles if possible and would like to do as much as possible to prevent early decay of wheels, suspension components and bodywork. A lot of people say cleaning the salt etc off the springs and wheel arches is a good idea, but a couple have said that the water itself is more harmful than the crap that cakes on - you got any opinion on that?

treating it all with a trim dressing should help it last longer after a clean.

I used to clean my car thoroughly and could spend alot longer than an hour on two wheels and arches. I used to spend all day at it. Wheels, under the bonnet, door shuts. Everything got attacked. Infact i think i maybe had a problem!

Personally i think its worth it. I refer to used to do it only because i have moved 15 miles from my parents house and where i stay now isnt great for cleaning cars.

I plan on using a garage i have available to me to completely go over the car from top to bottom, inside and out and am planning on spending a good few days at it.

Interested to see peoples replies to the problem with the baked in brake dust in the corners of the spokes because i too have that problem and havent had much joy at removing it.

That's after the two mile drive.

To be honest I should've used a clay bar or something as the insides of the wheels are completely plastered in tar spots that with normal cleaning stuff are completely immovable :(

Additionally you may notice the dark brown-ish stains in the corners of each spoke - you got any tips for getting rid of that? :(

Try Autosmart Tardis - Autosmart Car Care and Detailing Products. Takes the tar off a treat.

Try Autosmart Tardis - Autosmart Car Care and Detailing Products. Takes the tar off a treat.

Yep, another vote for Tardis from me as this strips off most things safely.......

Claying your wheels will also help but keeping on top of them regularly with a good cleaning regime wil prevent these brown marks.........

Whipped the two front wheels off again today and snow foamed the inside of the wheelarches and the springs etc. The amount of sh1te that ended up on the driveway afterwards was shocking to say the least.

Gave the wheels I bought off TokyoPhil their first "decent" clean too, came up quite well given I only used snow foam and normal car wash .

A lot of people say cleaning the salt etc off the springs and wheel arches is a good idea, but a couple have said that the water itself is more harmful than the crap that cakes on - you got any opinion on that?

Look at it this way, it will always get wet from driving. If there's salt there as well that accelerates rusting, and trapped mud holds the moisture.