The Veritate wheels on my Superb have limited access between the spokes, so cleaning the barrel and behind the spokes is a chore but possible with the right selection of brushes and woolies.

BUT ... the numbnuts that designed the wheel added a 'gutter' around the barrel just behind the spokes. It collects a pool of rainwater when parked and is a magnet for brake dust and tar. Getting into the gutter to clean it is almost impossible - I can't even reach it all with my fingertips and a wheel mitt. Lots of chemicals and a pressure rinse helps, but sometimes you also need to agitate the dirt to get it off.

The usual angled wheel brushes and floss/weasels won't get into the gutter, so I'm faced with making some sort of DIY tool to get into the gaps or removing the wheel completely to get at it from behind.

Does anyone have any tips or tool recommendations for how to tackle this?

The same stupid 'gutter' arrangement exists on my Belatrix wheels too. Following with interest!

Toothbrush or small stiff paintbrush, they are a pain to clean !!!

This 'gutter' is also present on my 18" Dofida wheels. I had not realised that this feature was also on other Skoda range wheels.

It drives me absolutely mad!

As Coral-C states it just collects brake dust and road grime in it, then this debris floats to the bottom of the wheel when it rains to form a very visible black stain which then bakes on next time you drive the car in dry conditions.

NOT VERY SKODA SMART.

Completely agree, dreadful design.

On 03/07/2026 at 19:57, NascarMike said:

Toothbrush or small stiff paintbrush, they are a pain to clean !!!

Thanks, NascarMike.

A toothbrush wouldn't normally fit into the space and go around the bend behind the spokes. But you started me thinking that maybe I could warm up the plastic handle to soften it, and then bend it to 90°. That might make a workable custom tool. I'll give it a try at the weekend and report back.

I’ve the same issue, to be honest it’s so time consuming that now I try to get the cleaner spray in the “gutter” all the way around, then just pressure wash it out a few times until the water in the bottom is clear.

It so stupid, it must be a strengthening design enabling a light wheel and less materiel = cheaper to build.

"and the winner is" ... NascarMike's toothbrush suggestion. 👏

It's a 'soft cleaning' toothbrush with very gentle bristles, picked up for about £1 from my local supermarket. Warming the handle with a hairdryer or heat gun is enough to soften the plastic so that it can be bent around to the right shape.

I needed to make left- and right-hand versions because there is not enough room to reach across behind the spokes from just one side...

Just keep them away from your teeth after use

I also picked up a 'turkey baster' to suck most of the water out of the gutter after rinsing the wheels. It's much more efficient that using microfibre towels alone.

Nice one... off to Boots now.