Life Hack: How to clean alloy wheels and the products to avoid using
How to get the best results when cleaning alloy wheels
Generally, there are two types of wheels available for our cars: steel and alloy. Alloy wheels are made of a mixture of metals, such as aluminium or magnesium. They are typically lighter than steel wheels and are very durable.
The alloy material is more resistant to corrosion and rust compared to steel. The lighter wheels improve a vehicle’s fuel economy, braking, accelerating, steering and handling, and the tyres themselves are less likely to wear out prematurely.
As the vehicle is lighter overall thanks to the wheels, it limits wear and tear on areas like the engine, transmission and suspension. The manufacturing methods to make alloy wheels allow for more complex designs to be created too, offering more styling options for drivers.
The experts at Ford suggest keeping it simple when it comes to cleaning alloy wheels. “You only need two things to keep your alloy wheels clean: the right cleaning products and a little bit of elbow grease,” they say.
Before you start cleaning your car’s wheels, make sure the vehicle is turned off and, if you were recently driving, let your wheels cool down. You should also wear gloves to protect the skin on your hands from dirt and irritation.
Wash off the bulk of the mud and dirt with soapy water and a soft sponge. Use a shampoo made for alloy wheels, not a standard car cleaner. Using the same cleaning product that you wash the rest of your vehicle with will leave traces of dirt and brake dust on the wheels. Avoid vinegar, WD40 or other household products for this too as a specific wheel cleaner will deliver the best results.
For hard-to-reach areas between the spokes, a tyre brush can be a handy tool but an old toothbrush will also work in a pinch.
A tar-removing spray will take care of any tar build-up on the alloys too.
Rinse the tyres and dry everything with a soft cloth or chamois leather. Once you are finished, you could apply a wheel wax to add a protective layer to the allow that will prevent brake dust from building up and protect your wheels from wear.
Cleaning your wheels regularly will prevent brake dust build-up and keep your wheels looking shiny new for many miles.
