![]() ![]() Cleaning Supplies and Tools You’ll Needīefore we describe the steps involved in cleaning aluminum wheels, here are all the essential supplies and tools you should plan to gather in preparation: You should clean it with mild soap or a gentle wheel cleaner like Meguiar’s, and never scrub these wheels with an abrasive material, as this will remove the anodized layer. However, it can be prohibitively expensive, making it less common than other finishes. It does a great job of preventing aluminum wheels from corroding or oxidizing. This finish isn’t prone to chipping or peeling off like paint or clear coat because it becomes part of the metal. Generally, the thicker the aluminum oxide layer, the more protective it will be. ![]() Anodized aluminum wheelsĪnodizing is a process that involves binding a layer of aluminum oxide to a metal, which protects the wheel from wear. They require a specialized cleaner formulated specifically for aluminum wheels, such as Meguiar’s Hot Rims Aluminum Wheel Cleaner, which will remove oxidation and dirt without harming the metal itself. Although the shine of polished aluminum looks wonderful, they are more prone to oxidizing than wheels protected by a clear coat. These wheels have been buffed to a perfect shine by hand or machine. Just like with clear coated wheels, it is recommended that you use a gentle soap or a water-based wheel cleaner along with a microfiber cloth to clean these. Normally, painted aluminum wheels will also have a clear topcoat to keep the paintwork from chipping or wearing away. The paint can come in various colors, allowing you to customize the look of your wheels and rims. These are just what they sound like – aluminum wheels that have been coated with a thin layer of paint. Instead, you should use water-based wheel cleaners or regular soap and water to get clear-coated aluminum wheels looking good as new. You should avoid using acidic wheel cleaners or metal polish on a clear coat, as these substances could damage it, ruining its shine and protective effects. Clear coat also adds a gloss that many car owners find visually appealing. Clear-coated aluminum wheelsĬlear coat is a transparent coating that can be used on bare aluminum wheels and painted wheels, protecting metal from corrosion and paint from wearing away. There are several different types of aluminum wheel finishes, some of which may require different methods of cleaning than the ones described in the rest of this post: 1. How To Clean Aluminum Wheels And Rims: By Type of Finish In this post, we will explain exactly how how to clean aluminum wheels and rims covering the variety of cleaning and maintenance methods for different types of aluminum wheels/rims, describing the steps for doing so in-depth, and recommending specific products that will make restoring your aluminum wheels as simple and effective as possible. ![]() Don’t also forget to regularly clean your car tires. It will help enhance your vehicle’s appearance, leaving your rims and wheels sparkling like they’re plated with chrome, and it will also ensure that your car performs as it should. Regularly cleaning and maintaining your car’s aluminum wheels and rims is an important part of routine vehicle maintenance. Oxidation is a natural and inevitable feature of aluminum. Products We Recommend: The Best Aluminum Wheel Cleaners I prefer the white soap to the brown tripili stuff, cuts far faster, but the buff needs just the right amount, to much its too hard and slow, just right its a bit fluffy and quick cutting. Oftern the key is starting coarse enough and that goes with every step, from the sand paper to the rouges. IMHO softer aluminum you can get away with jumping every other grit a lot more than say trying to polish stainless. As to how many grits to get to a polish, you gotta try more than anything adding a few inbettwens, might make way more sense to go 200 grit then jump to 400 or even 600 grit. Equally to remove all the previous scratches, i always try and go 90 degree to previous scratch pattern to help achieve this as it makes the remaining scratches jump right out. Key is to use the right profile wheels - discs - sanders at each step to fully get the profile easily. I go from a good turned finish, to a coarse scotch brite, to the grey extra fine unitised wheels straight to a polish on alu. Stick to the original 3m stuff whilst developing a approach, some of the knock offs make good financial sense ilater in production, others are so crap is like trying to use a tool ground from a bit of black mild steel instead of paying for HSS!! ![]()
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