At what point do you realise the usefulness of barrel brushes as part of your set of car cleaning products? Well, all but the earliest Lamborghini Countachs came with ridiculously wide 345/35 ZR15 rear tyres. Not only does this give the rear end of the Countach a muscular squat that could rival a professional strongman, but it also means the inner barrel of the alloys are incredibly deep and hard to clean without removing the wheel first.
Barrel brushes are the only real way of cleaning the rear wheels of a Gandini masterpiece. These brushes are designed to slip effortlessly between the rim and brake disc to clean those inner barrels without having to dig out the impact wrench, allowing for the easy cleaning of a classic Lambo.
This may be an extreme example, admittedly, but the inner barrel of most alloys is pretty hard to clean without removing the wheel first. This inner barrel can also become pretty mucky over time, facing the brunt of brake dust, mud and other contaminants that can eventually lead to pitting if left to fester. Pitting not only looks unsightly but is irreversible without getting your wheels professionally refurbished. Not even a dash of tyre cleaner could even make a pitted wheel look better.
The best wheel barrel brushes at a glance:
Editor's pick: EZ Detail Car Alloy Wheel and Motorbike Cleaning Brush - Buy from Amazon
The best soft barrel brush: Auto Finesse Wonder Wool Medium - Buy now from Amazon
The best powered barrel brush: Chemical Guys Power Woolie Microfiber Wheel Brush with Drill Adapter - Buy now from Amazon
With this in mind, we've chosen our favourite barrel brushes that will keep the entirety of your alloys clean and save you refurbishing fees down the road. Why not pick up one of our favourite wheel cleaners too, while you're at it?
The best barrel brushes for alloy wheels
The best wheel barrel brush
Via EZ DetailHailing from the USA, the EZ Detail Brush is hands down the best way to clean alloy barrels. Made using flexible nylon bristles that are designed to not scratch finishes, this brush will dislodge embedded contaminants without risking unsightly scratches. These bristles are also designed with a memory so they return to their original shape after use.
Aside from the bristles, this brush is outstanding for how versatile it is. The central stem is malleable, which makes reaching behind bulky brake callipers super easy, and is also wrapped in vinyl to eliminate any scratch risk. The handle is ergonomically designed and features a welcome knuckle guard.
There are a plethora of cheaper imitations on the market, but the bristles will warp, and the quality will be nowhere near the same as a proper EZ example. It may seem rather expensive for a wheel brush, but it is unmatched in its cleaning ability.
Pros
- Flexible bristles
- Versatile
Cons
- The brush isn't as long as others
The best soft barrel brush
Via Auto FinesseSlightly softer than the EZ example, Auto Finesse's Wonder Wool brush is a plusher way of cleaning the inner barrel of alloy wheels. Using soft lambswool for cleaning the wheels, this brush will still cut through grime without being a scratch risk to even the most delicate of surfaces.
While it lacks a knuckle guard, the long handle should allow for some distance between your hand and any hard metal, and the fact the handle is wooden adds a touch of luxury. It's also available in small and large, perfect for cleaning any type of alloy.
Pros
- Soft texture means scratch risk is low
- Available in two sizes
Cons
- Lacks a knuckle guard
The best angled barrel brush
Via Meguiar'sMicrofibre is a wonder material when it comes to cleaning. Absorptive, non-piling and affordable, more and more companies are looking to this material for car cleaning. Meguiar's now offers this angled microfibre brush that's designed to reach awkward areas without posing a scratch risk.
While it's not as versatile as the EZ Brush, the angled head is perfect for brake discs, inner barrels and scrubbing the rear side of wheel spokes. There is no metal in its construction, so no need to worry about scratches and the solid plastic shaft means it's tough enough to tackle the muckiest of wheels with ease.
Pros
- Can reach awkward areas
- Ideal for brake discs
Cons
- Not as versatile as others
The best powered barrel brush
Via Chemical GuysFor even more cleaning power, why not harness the power of electricity? This microfibre barrel brush head from Chemical Guys is designed to attach to an electric drill for a really powerful cleaning experience.
It's a fairly standard microfibre head and does without the usual ergonomic handle (well, any handle), which means it's more of a specialist tool and requires a drill to be an effective cleaner. Still, it's excellent at stripping away dirt without damaging wheels and will save you time and energy.
Pros
- Effective at cleaning when attached to a drill
- Saves time
Cons
- Not useful for the casual user
The best barrel brush on a budget
Via Kent Car CareIf all of these brushes look too expensive for something that'll spend most of its life cleaning a filthy bit of a car nobody normally sees, Kent Car Care offers a budget brush that'll do the job. Featuring a plastic handle and microfibre head, this brush poses no scratch risk and should be able to shift the majority of grime that can build up in a wheel barrel. Don't expect the best build quality or massive longevity from this brush; however, it's clearly built to a price.
Pros
- Great value
- Scratch risk is low
Cons
- Not the best quality
Why you should buy a barrel brush?
Everyone knows to clean the alloy face when washing a car. Cleaning the face removes surface contaminants and makes the alloy look far cleaner, but can be rather superficial compared to the inner barrels. This part of a wheel is subject to the worst detritus imaginable and can become a hotspot for corrosion over time (often called pitting). A liberal spraying of fallout spray and a barrel brush will get this embedded grime off with ease.
A barrel brush will easily reach and clean these areas of a wheel, which should go a long way in keeping any corrosion at bay without risking scratch damage. For cleaning the tyres that surround your gleaming alloys, we recommend a good tyre brush to tackle that job.
Barrel brushes can be used for more than just alloys too. Car grilles, exhausts, intricate styling features and engine bays will have their fair share of hard-to-clean nooks that a barrel brush can be used in too. Just make sure it's clean first.
What to look for in a good barrel brush:
Materials - A good barrel brush will either use nylon, microfibre or lambswool for the brush head. Which head material you prefer will depend almost purely on personal preference. All offer roughly the same cleaning abilities and require the same level of maintenance. There are a couple of technical differences, but for personal use, there isn't anything that places one above the others.
Versatility - A good barrel brush will be able to clean a multitude of areas with relative ease. Consider the styling of your alloys. If any particularly small nooks may require an even smaller barrel brush to properly clean. Also, think about the size of your brake discs and overall access. A narrow, pliable brush will prove its value here. A wheel arch brush, on the other hand, will require less thought.
Extras - Small extras like knuckle guards, rubber coatings and ergonomic handles can make or break the usability of your brush. Anyone who's ever smacked their knuckles into an alloy wheel or accidentally left a deep scratch from an exposed bit of metal can attest to this.
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Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for CAR, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. With an MA in Automotive Journalism, when he's not testing buckets he can be found looking at old Porsches.