How to Clean Aluminum Wheels

You may have painted your vehicle's aluminum wheels to compliment the color of your car, or you probably use anodized aluminum wheels to improve their looks. The major problem affecting aluminum wheels is the oxidation which make them look dirty and old. Grit, grease stains, and tar also do there best to make aluminum wheels look ugly which ultimately mars the beauty of your vehicle. Following are some helpful tips on how to clean aluminum wheels of cars.

Tips on How to Clean Aluminum Wheels:

1. First of all, we will undertake the task of cleaning the aluminum wheels by taking the wheel off your car one at a time, this will help you in handling the wheel more easily while continuing with the task.
2. Before starting to clean the aluminum wheel remove every removable item from the wheel such as center-caps, valve stem covers etc. This will reduce the surface area to be cleaned and you will be able to work unobstructed.
3. The hot dust particles resulting from the use of the brakes which eventually gives rise to car brake problems, the dust particles mixed with tar from the road, and the grease stains can get stuck to the aluminum wheels. The task of cleaning an aluminum wheel can become a tedious one.
4. If you are thinking of using household items like dish washing soap, or one of the cleaning solutions from your household collection then, understand that they are not strong enough to remove the dirt from the aluminum wheels.
5. The car wash soap that you use regularly is also not strong enough to remove the tar, grease stains or the dust that has accumulated in the nooks and crannies of the aluminum wheel.
6. Following are a few characteristics of cleaning agents that you may use for stain removal. Before purchasing the cleaning solution or paste or gel, make sure that they do not contain ammonia, anhydrous chemicals or acids. Though the cleaning solutions containing these chemicals get the dirt off the metal surfaces to make them look shiny, the effect is short-lived. Ammonia and anhydrous chemicals can etch and age the aluminum metal in the wheels prematurely. These chemicals can cause re-oxidation and tarnishing of the aluminum wheels.
7. The next step is to wash the wheel. Use the cleaning solution or car wash soap you have bought to get all the loose dirt off the wheel.
8. If you are going to use a brush to clean the aluminum wheels then instead of a tire brush, use a wheel brush, which is lot softer and doesn't leave scratches on the surface of the wheel.
9. Try to reach every nook and cranny in the wheel surface to get rid of the loose dirt. Afterwards dry it using a clean cloth or towel.
10. Next, we tackle the stubborn grease stains and tar that have survived the washing and are still present on the wheel's surface.
11. These can be removed using wax and grease remover solution such as paint prep. Pour a small amount of this solution in a small pot.
12. Soak a soft cloth in the grease remover solution and wipe the whole wheel several times. If the stains still persists then wipe the wheel with a clean rag and re-apply more wax and grease solution to the wheel surface.
13. Repeat the process till you are sure that the wheel is clean of all the stains. Take special care while cleaning the areas with nut-holes, corners and joints, especially, where the surfaces joins the hub.
14. If you are satisfied with the result, wash the wheel again to get rid of the used cleaning solution and the dirt off the wheel surface.
15. Polishing aluminum wheels is always recommended after it is washed, so, use a soft and clean cloth to first dry the wheel, and then you can use a variety of polishes available for all kinds of car parts.
16. Repeat the steps for the other wheels of your vehicle.

After finishing with all the wheels of your vehicle, you can always go a step further and paint the car wheel rim with car paint, but is advised to leave this job with the professionals, instead just wash the car. This will now complete the job and with a cup of steaming coffee in your hand, you can stand and admire your handiwork.

It is easy to dream about a shiny and eye-catching vehicle, but it is difficult to maintain one on our own. The instructions given above on how to clean aluminum wheels is easy to follow and you can get the desired results with it. Best of luck!