Alloy Wheel Maintenance
Your alloy wheels should be cleaned on a regular basis, preferably weekly.
Your wheels are often the dirtiest part of your vehicle because their operation is particularly close to elements, such as, brake dust, road salt, tar, mud and ocean salt ( especially in coastal regions ).
In high humidity and cooler climates moisture is retained on the wheels for longer periods in which mixes with brake dust and other unwanted material to create a highly corrosive matter that left unattended on wheels for long periods will cause irreversible damage to your wheel’s paint, clear coat and especially chrome finishes.
Due to the substances that brake pads / shoes are made of and the way brake pads / shoes work creates a highly corrosive dust. This is one of the major causes of pitting and corrosion problems on your wheel’s painted and chrome finished surfaces.
HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR ALLOY WHEELS
Make sure your wheels are cool before any cleaning process is started. Cleaning warm or hot wheels could result in wheels being stained.
Rinse off wheels first to loosen any surface dirt, similar to when you wash your vehicle.
Before using any cleaning products ensure they do not contain any ammonia or acid based solutions.
Use a quality wash and wax cleaner similar to what you would use on your vehicle. A tar and bug remover will also help at removing road tar thus preventing permanent stains.
Cleaning your wheels should be done with a soft cloth or a wash mitt to prevent any scratching to the wheels surface.
Try to avoid solution drying on your wheels surface as this may cause staining. Best to try and clean one wheel at a time then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Once you have rinsed solution from your wheels it is recommended to chamois wheels dry.
Now for extra protection (especially on chrome wheel surfaces) use a high quality wheel wax only. A light coating of wheel wax diminishes the amount of surface contaminants adhering to the wheel’s surface. Do not use any polishing / cutting compounds to clean your wheels. Wheel wax will not harm your wheel’s finish and will not dull the finish of your wheels.
Once wax paste dries simply rub off using a soft cloth.
Before using an automatic car wash verify what cleaning agents are used as some companies use an acid based solution to clean grime from your vehicle’s body. Stiff brushes can also scratch or damage your alloy wheel’s surface.
Never use steel wool pads, wire brushes or anything that is abrasive on your alloy wheels as this will damage the wheel’s surface finish.
Never steam clean your alloy wheels as this will dull the finish and permanently damage your wheel’s surface finish.
Never use a high pressure hose to clean your wheels as this may cause permanent damage to your wheel’s surface.