What is the Best Way to Clean Tire Rims?

Shiny tire rims complete the look for a freshly cleaned car.

A clean and waxed vehicle is a great thing to admire, but a dirty set of tire rims spoils the sight. Clean vehicle rims make your ride shine, and the cleaning does not have to cost a fortune. Products on the market plus a little elbow grease is all that's required to keep your tire rims looking great. When cleaning the tire rims, use a separate bunch of cleaning rags to avoid spreading the car body grime to your tire rims.

Things You'll Need

• Bucket
• Warm water
• Sponge
• Brush
• Old toothbrush
• Shammy or soft cloth
• Mild detergent
• Non-caustic wax or polish

Instructions

1. Wet the tire rims with warm water. For alloy rims, use a brush with medium to heavy bristles. For chrome tire rims, which are flashy-looking but not as sturdy as alloys, use a soft sponge, and avoid using scouring pads and brushes with hard bristles. Apply a mild detergent to your sponge or brush.

2. Wash the rims thoroughly and gently in a circular motion, taking care on chrome-plated tire rims to avoid hard scrubbing. Use an old toothbrush to clean the tight spaces a brush or sponge can't reach. Rinse the tire rims thoroughly with warm water.

3. Dry the tire rims with a soft cloth or shammy. To make chrome tire rims really shine, apply a non-caustic wax or polish sold at the major automotive stores. If you are applying tire shine or cleaner, keep the cleaner or shine from touching the tire rims, and wipe off any excess shine from the tires.

Tips & Warnings

• Regular weekly cleaning eliminates the road dirt and brake dust that leads to pitting and corrosion.

• Clean your tire rims after they are cool to the touch.

• Use detergents that don't contain lye or acid.

References

• AutoAnything: Car Care Research Guide
• Discount Tire Stores: Wheel FAQs