Modular wheel cleaning system

A wheel cleaning system includes a bottom, two sidewalls, and multiple gates. The bottom includes: a channel extending in a downstream direction and receives a wheel; an entry ramp disposed at an upstream end of the channel; and an exit ramp disposed at a downstream end of the channel. The sidewalls are disposed on opposite sides of the bottom, each sidewall extending up from the bottom. The gates are disposed in an alternating fashion on opposite sidewalls along the channel with a separation sufficient to avoid interference between gates and configured to rotate over the channel. Each gate includes: a cleaning pad holder; a cleaning pad that fastens to the holder; an attachment plate fastened to a respective sidewall; a hinge pin that rotatably connects the holder to the attachment plate; and a return mechanism that applies a force on the gate to restore the gate to a rest position.