How to Detail Car Wheels
Custom rims and exotic wheels have become symbols of distinction. Custom rims are so desirable that automakers now equip top variants of new models with custom wheels right from the factory. Custom wheels are supposed to make a statement, so caring for your custom wheels is essential. If you know how to detail car wheels properly, the cleaning you do will keep them like new.
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Instructions
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Mix a solution of dish soap and rubbing alcohol. Use 1 cup dish soap and 3 tbsp. rubbing alcohol to mix a solution to clean all the dirt and debris off the unclean wheels. First clean them completely with the soap-and-alcohol mixture, then rinse them with plenty of fresh water. Let the wheels dry completely.
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Rub aluminum cleaning compound onto the surfaces of the custom wheels. Scrub the compound into tight corners with a toothbrush and continue rubbing the compound into the surface until it disappears. Aluminum cleaner works much like a wax. Rub it in until it disappears, then go back after it sits for a few minutes with a clean rag.
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Buff the aluminum surfaces with a clean, lint-free rag to bring the aluminum wheels to a high shine. The aluminum cleaning compound will smooth the aluminum surfaces at the molecular level, leaving the custom wheels looking brand new and resistant to dirt and water for a period of seven to 10 days.
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Wash the wheels after cleaning the aluminum to remove any leftover cleaning compound. Dry the wheels by hand this time with clean rags, and finish detailing the wheels by drying and buffing the aluminum to its original high-gloss shine.
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Tips & Warnings
Wrap a bit of rag around a drill bit, and use a drill to spin the rag within the hard-to-reach openings cut into most custom aluminum wheels.
Detail car wheels when they are cold.
Wipe Coca-Cola on the rubber tire to quickly shine dull tires.
Wear goggles or safety glasses to protect your eyes from getting the soap and alcohol cleaning solution in them. The solution is strong enough to cause painful burning in the eyes. Flush with plenty of water and contact a doctor if symptoms of eye pain continue after rinsing with plenty of clean water.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit sports car rim image by Lario Tus from Fotolia.com
