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Toyota 4Runner, Tundra, and Tacoma: How to Clean Mud-stained Tires

Need your tires to hit the 'reset' button after a fun day of off-roading? Get them clean in just a few simple steps.

By Brett Foote - February 9, 2016

This article applies to the Toyota 4Runner, Tundra, and Tacoma (1984-present).

Good old soap and water might work in some cases, but what do you do when it isn't enough to clean your mud-stained tires? Here are some tips and tricks to get your tires shiny and clean.

Toyota How to Clean Mud-stained Tires infographic

Materials Needed

  • Scrubbing brush
  • Cleaner such as Comet, Simple Green, Purple Power, Clorox Clean-Up, or Bleche-Wite
  • Garden hose
  • Pressure washer (optional)

Step 1 – Coat the tires in a good cleaner

There are tons of great de-greasers and cleaning products on the market. If you have white walls, Bleche-Wite is a great product that can remove even the toughest grime from them, but it also works great on the black part of the tire as well. Armor All makes a specific tire cleaner, but degreasers such as Simple Green or Purple Power work great as well. Some people even swear by a general household cleaner like Ajax or Comet. Whichever cleaner you choose, give your tires a good coat and let it soak in for a few minutes.

Bleche-Wite is a very popular tire cleaner that works great
Figure 1. Bleche-Wite is a very popular tire cleaner that works great.

Step 2 – Scrub tires with a brush

Next, you will want to scrub the tires with a good brush to get the grime out. There are specific tire brushes available at big box and automotive stores that work great, or you can simply use any old brush that you have lying around. Spend a few minutes on each tire to ensure you get all the crud loosened up.

Give the tires a good scrub with a brush to loosen any grime
Figure 2. Give the tires a good scrub with a brush to loosen any grime.

Step 3 – Rinse the tires off

Once you're confident that you've given the tires a good scrub down, spray them thoroughly with a water hose. Be sure and get all the grime and chemicals off the tires so it doesn't have a chance to damage them or your wheels. A pressure washer can also be used and will do a great job at removing all the grime. Just set it at 1500 psi and watch the crud disappear.

Rinse the tires and wheels thoroughly and they'll be back in black
Figure 3. Once finished, rinse the tires and wheels thoroughly and they'll be back in black!

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