How to Clean Aluminum Auto Wheels
Cleaning aluminum car wheels is a dirty and delicate job at the same time. These shiny wheel types can easily be scratched and pitted, so taking proper care to clean and maintain the wheel will help keep the shine and luster for a longer period of time. All it takes to get a really clean wheel is a trusted cleaning product, some soft cloths, and a bit of time.
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Instructions
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Take the wheel off the car. To get the best clean possible it is necessary to remove the wheel from the car. This will allow access to all areas of the wheel front and back along with hard to reach nooks on the wheel.
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Spray the wheel down with a hose. Use a pressure nozzle to get stubborn debris off. A regular car soap and microfiber mitt can be used to wash the wheel and get remaining debris off the wheel as best as possible. The microfiber mitt will not scratch the wheel so use some muscle to get that nasty gunk off. Dry the wheel off with a soft cloth such as a microfiber towel, chamois or even cheesecloth.
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Use a degreaser on the wheel to remove stuck on dirt. Brake dust will create very hard stuck on areas that regular cleaning won't remove. Place the degreaser directly on a soft rag and then clean those tough areas around the valve stem and lug bolt areas. Two well-respected cleaners are made by Mothers and Meguiar's for this purpose.
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Wash the wheel down again using the microfiber pad. This should pick up any dislodged dirt and debris from the degreaser. Spray the wheel down with the hose and dry. At this point your wheel is clean and can be put back on your car. If you decide to polish the wheel it is now prepared.
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References
- Photo Credit wheel image by sasha from Fotolia.com
