How to Clean Alloy Car Wheels

Alloy wheels look great after a good cleaning.

Keeping alloy wheels clean is one of the most important ways to prevent corrosion and pitting. How often you need to clean your wheels depends on the environment you drive in. Weather and road maintenance are only a few of the things that will affect the condition of your wheels. For example, if you live in an area where salt is used on roads to melt ice, it's very important to clean your wheels frequently. Along with regular cleanings, taking a few preventative measures will help keep your alloy wheels looking like new.

Things You'll Need

• Garden hose with spray nozzle
• Tar remover
• Cotton cloth
• Large bucket
• Non-caustic alloy wheel cleaner
• Sponge
• Chamois
• Alloy wheel wax

Instructions

1. Pre-rinse the wheels using a fine spray to remove any brake dust or debris. Remove tar stains with a commercial tar remover and a soft cotton cloth.

2. Add some wheel cleaner to the bucket then fill it with warm water. Follow the manufacturer's directions to determine how much wheel cleaner to use.

3. Dip the sponge into the soapy solution. Then wash the wheels, being careful not to rub too hard. When the solution becomes dirty, empty the bucket and mix a fresh batch.

4. Rinse the wheels thoroughly with the hose. Pay special attention to crevices and the back side of the wheels. Dry the wheels with the chamois.

5. Apply an alloy wheel wax according to the manufacturer's directions. Wheel wax will help protect your wheels from brake dust and moisture, and also make them easier to clean. Reapply the wheel wax at least every three months.

Tips & Warnings

• Never use abrasive cleaners or pads on your wheels. Also, brake dust is corrosive to alloy wheels and should be removed as soon as possible.