The best car wash brushes for wheels and bodywork
- Gain extra reach with a wash brush
- Wash brushes ensure a thorough clean
- The best wheel and bodywork brushes
Written by Chris Williams
Published: 31 August 2022
Updated: 4 October 2023
Like most other sectors, the world of car cleaning technology is advancing rapidly. Ceramic coating is taking on traditional car wax; microfibre is replacing chamois. But humble brushes still have their rightful place.
The tricky thing with car brushes is knowing which ones are any good. More specifically, which ones have soft bristles; a handle and head that won’t get banged against the bodywork; and are made to last. We’ve selected and recommended the best car washing brushes largely following these requirements.
The best car wash brushes
Editor’s pick
Very sturdy and basic. The bristles splay out from the head, meaning it is only the bristles that make contact with the bodywork. The tips of the bristles are split to give both a soft touch and a more effective ability to remove dirt and muck. It can also be bought as a kit with a wheel rim brush and an interior detail brush.
Best 2-in-1
The classic two-in-one. The sponge and opposing rubber squeegee blade are both 20cm wide, and the telescopic handle allows for a length between 50 and 80cm. A simple twist and lock handle; great for larger and taller cars where reach can be an issue.
Best long-reach brush
The Hozelock brush incorporates a number of useful features. Naturally, you can attach it to the garden hose, but near the handle, there is a container for a car wash or shampoo. You can direct the shampoo through the on/off rinsing jet or via the brush bristles. There is also a knob that gives you full water flow control. The bristles on the head are very soft and designed for use of cars. Meanwhile, the head itself can be rotated into one of seven positions and locked in place.
Best brush for wheels
Rrp: £23.00
Price: £19.99
Designed specifically for car wheels, the Meguiar’s brush has a small head and wide bristle angles for excellent cleaning coverage and to ensure only the bristles make contact with the wheels. The bristles are very fine and the head angle can be adjusted to make cleaning more comfortable.
Best Karcher car brush
Rrp: £25.99
Price: £20.89
Designed specifically for use with Karcher pressure washers (K2 to K7 models). The brush working width is almost 250mm, which gives good coverage on larger surface areas but struggles in more fiddly ones. The head has rubber protective housing around it for scratch-free use. As an official Karcher accessory, it is a bit pricey but Karcher's reputation for quality both with its tools and accessories is well-cemented.
Best brush alternative
Not technically a brush, but microfibre wash mitts are great allies for a car wash. The noodles on this brush-like mitt make sure to remove dirt from both flat surfaces and nooks such as narrow panel gaps. The lack of any hard parts altogether also makes for care-free scrubbing.
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