An apparatus for cleaning the rim of a vehicle which including a buffer wheel head mounted adjacent a wheel mounting device and being pivotable toward the rim about a first axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel. The buffer wheel head includes a pair of buffer wheel mounted on a drive shaft in the buffer wheel head, at least one of the buffer wheels being axially adjustable on the shaft so that the pair of buffer wheels can be positioned immediately within the side flanges of the rim. The head is pivotally about another axis spaced from and perpendicular to the first axis so as to allow the pair of buffer wheels to swivel to turn the buffer wheels at a slight angle relative to the side flanges first to one side and then to the other to thereby simultaneous engage both flanges with an enhanced buffing action. The wheel mounting structure allows for quick adjustment of one or both buffer wheels and includes a hub slidable received on the drive shaft which includes an elonaged channel with a fluted side formed by a plurality of recesses, and a series of indents including axial of the shaft as well. The hub has a pin member which projects into central bore thereof and extends into the channel and a spring loaded ball which also projects into the bore and is received on one indent at a time so as to position hub in one of a series of settings. When torque is transmitted between the shaft and hub, the pin engages one of the recesses in the side of the channel to lock the hub against axial movement during the buffing action.
