Wheel Brushes Tested

Scrub up with one of the latest specialist brushes to get your wheels gleaming. We pick from 10 top buys

Auto Express Car Reviews

July 2011

There is a steady stream of new wheel cleaners hitting the market, but few kits have everything you need to make your rims truly sparkle.

While a mitt or sponge may deal with the outer surface, you really need a brush to shift grime on the inner rim without having to remove the wheel.

Products come in all shapes and sizes, at a range of prices, so we tested 10 to find out which is the best for scrubbing up your wheels.

The Test

A brush has to cut through baked-on grime, but you don’t want it to damage the rim – so we tested each product first on a scrap panel, checking out the bristles and handle for scratches or marks.

Then, on an alloy wheel, we assessed ease of use, comfort and effectiveness on cleaning spokes, bolts and the inner rim. We also rated build quality, and finally took into account the price, not including delivery costs.

Verdict

It’s very similar to some of its rivals, but Muc-Off’s Wheel & Component Brush offers the best balance between performance and cost. Kent takes the runner- up spot with its long Grill Spoke Brush, which did well on the inner rim. The final place on our podium goes to the keenly priced Nova Soft Grip brush.