Aluminum alloy wheels are very popular for trucks and cars. Aluminum alloys are light, strong, and versatile. Aluminum alloys can be pitted and corroded easily by road debris and brake dust. Here are some tips if you want to know how to clean and polish your rims. It is easy to make your rims look new again.
Wash First
Although it sounds simple, if you want to have shiny alloy wheels, you need to give your car a thorough clean. You don’t want brake dust sticking to your paint. You should wash the wheel thoroughly. However, you should keep as much water as possible away from your car or truck. Use mild or non-acidic soap to wash your car. It will safely remove road debris and brake dust without damaging the alloy or any clear coating. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub the spokes. Brake dust sticks to everything and can be found everywhere. This step should not be skipped.
The spoke within the spoke design is eye-catching. However, it also captures brake dust and dirt. A soft bristle brush can easily slide in the gaps and remove any dirt or debris. When you slip-sliding between the spokes, clean from front to back. You can be patient here grasshopper. The cleanest wheels are those with the least amount of dirt. You should wash one wheel at a time. Don’t forget to clean the lug nuts. These can be cleaned with a small brush. While you’re washing and brushing, keep the wheel moist. Water acts as a surfactant and lubricant to prevent dirt from sticking to the surface of the wheel.
Dry the wheel thoroughly after it is cleaned. Next, move on to the next wheel. Rinse again until you are satisfied with the results.
Clay Next To Buff Alloy Wheels
Next, you need to decide what will make your wheels stand apart from other posers. Grab a small amount of detailing clay, lubricant, and then clay your wheels. Cross-contamination is a problem, just like with your cleaning brushes. You will need two claying bars: one for the paint job and one for the wheels. Make sure to mark them so they don’t get mixed up. I am not picky when it comes to lubricant.
Take a small piece of soft, pliable clay and hold it in your hands. Then spray the wheel with lubricant. Start claying one area at a time. Use circular motions. Fold the clay to remove any debris. Continue rubbing. This will prevent you from scratching your wheel. The wheel was cleaned of large bits of dirt, brake dust, and other road debris. The detailing clay will remove any embedded or microscopic debris that you can’t see, but it will not shine. You will have the best alloy wheels if you clay your alloy wheels after washing them. Even if your alloy wheels are not chrome or machined, this is an important step.
After you have clayed your wheel, give it one quick spray of your lubricant, and then wipe it down with a microfiber towel. Next, move on to the next wheel. Clay one wheel thoroughly before moving on to the next. Read on to see how to clean and polish rims!
Polish
Now that your rims have been cleaned up, it’s time to start buffing. It’s up to you how aggressive you want to go at this stage. You need the power to get the best results. This power comes in the form of a corded and cordless drill. To polish your wheels, there are many products that you can attach to your drill. A better polish will require more power. A better polish will look more polished.
You must check if your wheels are coated with a clear coat before you choose your polish. Clear coats will determine the type of polish you use. Clear-coated wheels will require a more aggressive polish. Clearcoat can be thought of as a paint job with no color. Clear coated surfaces can be treated as painted surfaces. That was our guide on how to clean and polish rims, But contact us today for more tips to get rolling on shiny rims!
