How to clean your alloy wheels
Getting lovely shiny alloy wheels for you car is a bit like buying a bright white pair of trainers. They look great but you have to keep them clean, because the moment they get filthy is the moment they turn against you.
So to keep you car looking flash and clean remember to keep those alloy wheels shiny. Always remember to wash them at the same time as you wash your car. Some people leave the wheels out. Don’t ask me why. I think they are the same people that have a shower but don’t wash behind their ears.
So here is a good step by step guide on getting that shine back so your alloy wheels look as good as new. Before I begin here is a quick list of some of the things you will need:
- A good absorbent sponge
- Microfibre cloth
- Tooth brush
- Mild citric acid solution
- Bucket + water
- Abrasive pad
- Fairly powerful hose
The Soaking
To clean anything in life you need to get it wet, well nearly everything never ever clean a Mogwai with water, have you seen Gremlins? Sorry, I am getting sidetracked, so give your alloy wheels a good jetting with the hose. This should loosen a lot of the dirt and other stains and will really help with the cleaning process.
Then you should get stuck in with the sponge. Give it some real elbow grease and rub off as much of the brake dust and dirt that you can.
The Scrubbing
The toothbrush and the abrasive pad are the best tools for this section of the clean. Use as much water as you can and give the wheel a good once over. Use the pad for most of it and where needed (the smaller, trickier bits) use the toothbrush.
The Solution
Once you have scrubbed all the bits you can it is time to get that citric acid solution involved. Avoid anything too strong as this may result in damaging parts of your wheel. For the worst stains a weak citric acid solution will work wonders. Just apply the solution to the areas that are most affected and then leave it for a few minutes. Have a little breather, you deserve it, maybe have a quick cup of tea or something. After a few minutes scrub it off and repeat again if necessary.
The Drying
Once your alloy wheel is lovely and clean get out the microfibre cloth and give it a wipe all over. This will get it nice and dry all over.
The Preservation
This is the important bit. This is the bit to make sure they stay clean and in a good condition for longer. Just like the rest of your car you can add wax to your rims. There are plenty of special rim waxes which do a good job. There are also other solutions and sprays that can be bought to help keep your wheels clean for longer. They all protect your wheels and make cleaning them a lot easier.
So, there you go. Well done, I hope this has been of some use for you and I hope your rims are now all shiny and sparkling. You can drive down the road with your head held high. I just hope your trainers are clean…
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