Many say that wheels have such a significant impact on the look of a car that they can sometimes completely transform a vehicle. That’s why many people give large sums of money for beautiful and modern details made of alloy or aluminum. Those who want their four-wheelers to look flawless take a lot of care of car detailing. They know quality and aesthetically pleasing rims are an integral part of that.

Indeed, these accessories can significantly improve the appearance of your metal pet. Yet, there is another truth – the rims are sensitive and easy to damage. The main reason is that they are on tires, which are in constant contact with the road. 

That’s how the rims are affected daily by stones, various chemicals, motor oils, and winter salt. Also, curbs can be quite damaging and distorting for these accessories. If you warp them, learn how to repair the damage at this link.

Attentive and safe driving is the best protection against wheel damage. Still, you can’t wholly isolate rims from external influences, and they will get quite dirty. Of course, that will depend on where and how often you drive your car. Regular cleaning is necessary, and specialized cleaners in a spray can help you.

Protect Yourself

When using wheel cleaner in spray form, keep in mind some basic precautions. Wearing rubber gloves is a must. Spray-on cleaners are not toxic but not mild either. You don’t want the chemical residue to reach your skin. So it’s just better to be safe than sorry.

With smaller diameter tires, you can use a paper towel or cardboard to cover the inside of the body. But suppose you deal with bulky tires and rimes (15 inches and more). In that case, you could use specialized protection that you can order online or buy in car detailing stores.

Read Instructions

You should also read the instructions for the spray cleaner before applying it. Ensure that the solution is not too hot or cold. Never keep it near heat sources or vents, as these conditions can change the pressure inside the bottle and trigger an explosion. Whenever you can, use these products at room temperature.

Car experts recommended using cleaners with a mild pH level, as these products have different applications. Unlike other products, car cleaners in spray form are gentle and easy to use. They can be used by both auto enthusiasts and the average Joe. You can find these cleaning solutions online or at your local hardware store. 

When cleaning the rims, you’ll only need a few milliliters of the spray cleaner. But don’t think that too much solution will help you with stubborn stains. It’s a matter of a cleaning technique, not the cleaner amount.

Disassembly as Needed

When you wash the entire car, never skip the wheels. Clean them first to avoid accumulating more dirt that can drain from the car’s body. Do that on all sides. If the rims aren’t easily accessible from the inner side, you should put them off the cars when cleaning. 

Disassembling sounds complicated, but you have to do it to keep the wheels completely clean. After a while, contaminated particles stuck in inaccessible parts of the rims can cause permanent damage to tires, hanging, and the braking system.

Apply Solution to Dry Wheels

Spray-on cleaners come in handy when you don’t want to soak a brush or sponge in the solution. That way, you minimize abrasive action and prevent scratches. The point of this product is to loosen up the impurities so that they can be easily removed and washed away later. That’s a great time-saver. 

Apply the wheel cleaner on a dry, cooled, and agitated wheel (so, not right after the end of the ride). The solution should be left for no more than 10 minutes, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions. If you leave it longer, it can dry off and become useless.

So you can spray down one wheel and let it sit while you prepare mild soapy water. Then spray another wheel and start cleaning the first one. Before starting with the second rim, spray on the third wheel, and so on. That way, you won’t have an empty walk.

Clean Brake Discs

You should clean the brakes after washing off the wheels. Dust, mud, and oil can accumulate there and interrupt their function. So if you don’t remove these deposits regularly, you could expose yourself to risk. You can use a degreaser for oily wheels or soap for mud. If your discs are too dirty, you can apply some wheel cleaner there, too.

Rinse Thoroughly

After the wheel cleaning, be sure to rinse them with clean water. Remember to follow up with a dry cloth or towel to avoid water and soap stains. Doing so will show you where you missed the spot. Then, you can repeat the washing with soap until the rims are sparkling. That will leave them dry and spotless. Also, it will prevent any chemical reaction that may occur between the two substances. 

Avoid Common Mistakes

Spray-on cleaners are the easiest way to make your rims look great. But you can clean them in several different ways, for example, by using homemade solutions. These are usually ingredients you already have in your home, like baking soda, dish soap, or vinegar.

Visit the following source for more instructions on homemade cleaning solutions:

https://www.tipsbulletin.com/homemade-rim-and-tire-cleaner/

But keep in mind that DIY solutions won’t be of great help for stubborn oily deposits. Don’t use household abrasives on the wheel. Baking soda is a mild and easily-soluble abrasive so that it won’t hurt your rims. Also, never use steel wool or dish scrubbers as they can damage the surface.

Clean wheels on your cars are not just a matter of aesthetics. They also prevent corrosion and make your drive safer. So you can set a few minutes aside every week and give them a thorough clean. That will ensure your rims are shiny and spotless and your wheels reliable.