How To Clean Alloy Wheels? Easy Ways 2022

Authored By Automobile Engineer

In automotive industry Cleaning wheels is an important task because they remove remaining dirt and grime. If you don’t clean wheels regularly, the excess dirt can accumulate and cause corrosion.

If left for too long, this corrosion can make your alloy wheels look dull and even affect their structural integrity. The good news is that Alloy wheel cleaning isn’t difficult. Below we discuss some of the best practices for keeping your wheels spick and span.

Cleaning alloy wheels require a little bit of elbow grease but it doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming.

You can clean them with ease if you keep frequent cleaning products on hand. You just need the right technique and tools to achieve optimum results. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about How To Clean Alloy Wheels.

Why Are Cleaning Wheels So Important?

Wheel cleaning regularly will extend their life significantly. It will also maintain their structural integrity, keeping them from getting bent or buckled.

Regular cleaning will also ensure that your wheels look as good as new for as long as possible, which is always a plus. If you’re wondering why cleaning your wheels is such a big deal, it all comes down to one main thing: corrosion.

Why Are Cleaning Wheels So Important?

Alloys will naturally corrosion if they are exposed to too much moisture, but it’s the road salt that’s the real problem. It’s a huge factor in the corroding of alloy wheels.

Road salt is extremely abrasive and it can cause some serious damage when it’s allowed to build up on your wheels. Even light-coated metals of road salt can cause major damage to your wheels, making them look dull and rusty.

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How To Clean Your Alloy Wheels With Soap And Water

The best way to clean your wheels with soap and warm water is to use a separate bucket and a soft-bristled brush. You can use a microfiber wheel brush to get into all of the nooks and crannies of your wheels.

Make sure you scrub away from the center of the wheel. This will prevent you from damaging the paint.

Once you’ve scrubbed all of the wheels, you can rinse them off with water. If you want to add a bit of extra protection to your wheels, you can use diluted car shampoo instead of soap.

Make sure that you follow the instructions on the bottle and don’t use too much, or it can damage your wheels. You can rinse the soap or shampoo off with warm water.

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How To Clean Your Alloy Wheels With Coke

How To Clean Your Alloy Wheels With Soap And Water

If you have some old, dirty wheels and you don’t have the time or the patience to scrub them clean, you can try cleaning them with Coke.

Coke is a powerful degreaser, so it will lift all of the grime and grease right off of your wheels. Just be careful not to get any of the Coke on the painted parts of your wheels.

If you don’t want to risk damaging the paint, you can always use a detailing brush to scrub the wheels with Coke.

How To Clean Your Alloy Wheels With Coke

Coke is an excellent cleaning agent, but it has some side effects that you should be aware of. It may leave your wheels smelling like a bar, and it may also cause a chemical reaction that damages the aluminum.

You may notice a change in the color of your wheels, or you may even see a reaction that results in foaming.

If you want to clean your wheels with Coke, make sure you do it outside or in a well-ventilated area. You also need to rinse the wheels off after cleaning them with Coke.

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How To Use Brake Fluid To Clean Your Wheels

Brake fluid may not be as good at removing grease as Coke, but it is a standard wheel cleaner for road grime.

Brake fluid is also less likely to damage your wheels than Coke. Brake fluid is a powerful solvent, so it will remove loose dirt all of the road grime, and brake dust, including salt.

How To Use Brake Fluid To Clean Your Wheels

This can be great if you live somewhere with a lot of road salt, but it can be bad if you don’t. If you live in an area with a lot of road salt, you will need to clean your wheels at least twice a year.

This will prevent brake dust and salt build-up from getting too bad. If you don’t clean it off regularly, the salt will end up corroding the wheels.

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Clean Your Alloy Wheels With Dishwashing Liquid

If you don’t have any degreaser or brake fluid on hand, you can use some dishwashing liquid to clean your wheels.

You can either use a spray bottle filled with the dishwashing liquid, or you can fill a bucket with water and dishwashing liquid.

How To Clean Your Alloy Wheels With Dishwashing Liquid?

You can use either option to scrub your wheels clean. Dishwashing liquid is excellent at removing grease and grime.

You can use a detailing brush with dishwashing liquid to scrub your wheels, or you can just pour it on and use a sponge to scrub it off. Make sure you rinse the wheels thoroughly afterward.

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How To Use Car Shampoo To Clean Your Wheels?

If you’re looking for a gentle cleaner than dishwashing liquid, you can use car shampoo instead. Car shampoo is great for cleaning your wheels without damaging them.

 Use Car Shampoo To Clean Your Wheels

Car shampoo will remove any grease or grime from your wheels and leave them looking as good as new. You can either use a sponge to wash the wheels or you can put the car shampoo into a spray bottle.

Car shampoo is designed for cleaning sensitive wheel surfaces, so it’s the ideal choice for cleaning your wheels. It’s also great at removing any unwanted smells that may be lingering on your wheels.

How Often Should You Clean Your Alloy Wheels?

You should be cleaning your wheels at least twice a year, but you can also clean them more often if they get particularly dirty.

Depending on where you live, cleaning your wheels more often may be necessary. If you live somewhere with a lot of road salt, you will need to clean your wheels more often.

Clean Your Alloy Wheels

If you drive often and you have a long commute, you may also have to clean your wheels more often. If you notice that your wheels are getting particularly dirty or if they start to look dull, it’s time to clean them.

The Right Way To Clean Alloy Wheels

Let’s take a look at the correct way to clean your alloy wheels. First, you need to decide whether you want to clean the wheels themselves or the new tires.

You can use the right brush to scrub the wheels with soap and water or you can use a sponge and car shampoo. If you want to clean the tires, you can use a brush or you can pour dishwashing liquid into a bucket of water.

The Right Way To Clean Alloy Wheels

Next, you need to decide how you want to clean the wheels. You can either clean them while they are still on the car or you can remove them.

If you want to clean the wheels while they are still on the car, it’s best to use a hose and a car wash solution. Alternatively, you can lift the car off the ground and clean the wheels by hand.

If you want to clean the wheels when they are detached from the car, you can use a brush, car shampoo, or a degreaser. Make sure to rinse the wheels thoroughly once you are done cleaning them.

What Is The Wrong Way To Clean Alloy Wheels?

 Wrong Way To Clean Alloy Wheels

There are some ways to clean your wheels that aren’t recommended. One of these is to use a sandblaster on your wheels.

This can damage the paint on your wheels, which can be very difficult to repair. Sandblasting your wheels can also cause tiny scratches, which can make the wheels look dull.

Whether you decide to clean the tires or the wheels, you should avoid using too much pressure. Cleaning your wheels with too much pressure can cause damage to the paint, which can be difficult to repair.

Conclusion

Alloy wheels require more maintenance than regular hubcaps. If you want to keep them clean and in good condition, you need to clean them regularly.

Fortunately, cleaning alloy wheels isn’t difficult. You can clean them with soap and water, or you can use a degreaser or brake fluid to clean them.

You can also use car shampoo to clean them. You should clean your wheels at least twice a year, but you can clean them more often if they get particularly dirty.

FAQS

What is the best thing to use to clean alloy rims?

There are different things you can use to clean alloy wheels, but the best thing to use is a dedicated alloy wheel cleaner. These cleaners are specifically designed to clean and protect alloy wheels, and they will not damage the finish. You can find alloy wheel cleaners at most auto parts stores.

What household items can you use to clean alloy wheels?

You can use a number of household items to clean alloy wheels, including dish soap, vinegar, and baking soda. For tougher jobs, you can also use a pumice stone or an old toothbrush.

Does WD 40 have clean alloy wheels?

WD 40 can be used to clean alloy wheels. However, it is important to note that WD 40 is not a cleaner or less aggressive polish. It is a lubricant and protectant. As such, it can help to remove brake dust and other debris from the entire surface of alloy wheels. However, it will not clean or polish the wheels. For best results, use a dedicated cleaner or polish specifically designed for use on alloy wheels.

How do you remove stubborn stains from alloy wheels?

There are a few ways to remove stubborn stains from alloy wheels. You can use a commercial cleaner, a homemade cleaner, or an abrasive cleaner.
To use a commercial cleaner, first, make sure that the cleaner is compatible with the type of alloy wheel you have. Then, follow the instructions on the cleaner bottle. Apply the cleaner to the stained area and let it sit for the recommended amount of time. Finally, use a soft cloth or brush to scrub the stain until it comes off.
To make a homemade cleaner, mix equal parts water and vinegar. Apply the mixture to the stained area and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then, use a soft cloth or brush to scrub the stain until it comes off.
If the stain is still stubborn, you can try using an abrasive cleaner. Apply the cleaner to the stained area and let it sit for the recommended amount of time. Then, use a soft cloth or brush to scrub the stain until it comes off.

Don Sutton
Don Sutton has had a long and varied career in engineering, spanning four different countries. He began his apprenticeship in New Zealand at Paeroa Motors in 1965 before moving to the United States where he studied at Paeroa College before accepting a job as an engineer with Bendix/Kirby/TRW/Tristar. His work involved designing components for the automotive industry for over thirty years, including brake pads, power steering pumps, and fuel injectors. In 2005 Don left automotive design to pursue other interests but maintains an interest in all things related to automobiles. He is currently retired from engineering but continues to consult on issues relating to vehicle testing and manufacture when needed!