No matter how much grime and grime is on the wheels, they have the potential to shine again. To leave them with a perfectly clean finish, you will need to clean them, polish them with an aluminum polish and then wax them to protect the work and thus keep them shiny for longer.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Clean the wheels
Step 1. Rinse the wheels and surrounding areas
Use a hose to spray inside the spokes, on the surface, and around the wheel nuts. This will loosen dirt and brake dust that has built up, preparing the wheels for treatment.
If you have a pressure washer, use it to spray a more powerful stream of water
Step 2. Spray the aluminum wheel cleaner on the surface of the wheels
Some examples of aluminum wheel cleaners are P21S wheel cleaner gel and SONAX, but any non-acidic aluminum wheel cleaner will do. Spray it on the surface of the wheels, inside the spokes, and around the lug nuts.
- You can find aluminum wheel cleaners at a mechanic store, a superstore (for example, Walmart), or online at Amazon.
- If you prefer, you can make your own aluminum wheel cleaner at home by combining lemon juice with soda.
- You can also wash the wheel with Dawn detergent and water, then scrub it with baking soda. In both cases, there will be an abrasive material (soda or baking soda) that will serve to remove the dirt.
Step 3. Stir the cleaner with a soft bristle brush, periodically applying water
Rub the surface of the rim, inside the spokes and around the lug nuts. You may need a special wheel brush or toothbrush to reach hard-to-reach areas. If the rim begins to dry out, add more water as you scrub. Rubbing a dry rim can scratch the finish.
- To reach and scrub inside the spokes, use a tapered brush.
- To move around the nuts, use a nut cleaning brush. Both types of brushes are available in mechanical stores.
- A soft bristle brush will prevent scratching the finish on the wheel.
Step 4. Clean the wheel wells with an all-purpose cleaner and a stiff bristle brush
The wheel wells are an ideal place for dirt and dust. Use a stiffer brush in this area, as a soft bristle brush probably won't work. A long-handled brush can be helpful to get inside.
A soft bristle brush is not ideal for wheel wells. You will need soft bristles on the surfaces and stiff bristles in the gaps
Step 5. Rinse and dry the wheel with a clean cloth to remove any remaining dust
Once you have removed the dirt and dust, use the hose to rinse the entire rim, directing the water into the spokes, holes, and nut holes. Let the wheel dry for a few minutes and use a clean cloth to remove any remaining dust.
Part 2 of 3: polishing the aluminum
Step 1. Rub the aluminum polish over a small section of the rim with a rag
Polishing aluminum is an effective way to remove oxidation from aluminum wheels, which are not well protected against this type of damage. Use a clean rag to rub the aluminum polish over the rim, working in the direction of the grain. Work in small sections so the polish doesn't dry out before buffing it.
- Avoid rubbing in circles, as this will produce a scratched finish.
- An example of an aluminum polish is Wolfgang Metallwerk Fine Aluminum Polish, but any polish designed for uncoated aluminum will do the job. You can find these types of polishes online, at a hypermarket, or at a mechanic store.
Step 2. Work around the rim with the aluminum polish, section by section
Remember to buff small sections at a time to avoid drying out before polishing. Move carefully around the rim, section by section, and keep track of what you've already polished so you don't end up with an uneven finish. Rub along the grain of the rim as you go.
Polish the lug nuts once you have finished the surface of the rim
Step 3. Use a cloth-wrapped toothbrush to polish stubborn stains
Wrap a soft cloth around the toothbrush so the bristles don't spoil the finish. Use the toothbrush to reach the spoke areas and rub the polish into the areas that you have not been able to reach before. This will also be useful for buffing around the nuts.
Step 4. Dry the wheel with a soft, clean towel
Rub along the grain to dry the rim and remove the polish, working slowly around the rim as in the previous steps.
Always use fresh towels at each step of the process to avoid rubbing in polish or dirt when drying the wheels
Part 3 of 3: sealing the wheels with wax
Step 1. Put a small amount of wax on a clean cloth
The wheel wax will help protect your wheels and keep them looking cleaner for longer. You can measure out a good amount of wax by putting it on your fingertip and then transferring it to the clean cloth.
You can also protect the aluminum with a metal sealant, which will work like wax to protect it from oxidation
Step 2. Rub the wax over the entire surface of the rim
Rub in the direction of the grain of the aluminum, as you have done with the polish. Coat the entire surface of the wheel with wax, re-waxing the cloth as needed.
Step 3. Allow the wax to dry completely, usually 10-15 minutes
Set a timer so you don't forget to come back. The wax will seal the wheels to give them a protective coating while you wait.
Step 4. Remove the wax with a clean, dry cloth after 10 to 15 minutes
Touch the wax with your finger, if it is dry, it will make it easy to remove it with the rag. The wheels will be super shiny and the wax will help maintain the polish for a week or two.
You can repeat this process weekly to avoid having to polish the wheels so often. Simply rinse the wheels with water, wipe them dry with a clean cloth, and then apply the wax
Advice
Always remove labels from polishing cloths before polishing aluminum wheels. This will help prevent scratching the aluminum
Warnings
- These instructions are appropriate for aluminum wheels only. Check if your wheels are uncoated aluminum by dabbing some aluminum polish on a clean cloth and applying it to a hidden spot on the rim (like the inside of one of the spokes). Next, look at the rag, and if it looks black, the wheels are aluminum. The aluminum oxide will create this black color that shows up on the rag. If your wheels are not aluminum, do not follow the above procedures.
- Never use polishes or pastes that contain acids, ammonia, or anhydrous chemicals on aluminum wheels. These will age, tarnish, and could even damage aluminum wheels. Many brighteners on the market contain these harmful ingredients. Read the label before buying aluminum polish to make sure these chemicals are not included.