Aluminum rims naturally oxidize over time, making them more prone to dirt buildup and damage. When this happens, don’t put off cleaning them. After all, the corrosive dust can compromise the wheels’ integrity, leading to drivability issues and other problems.
Fortunately, you can prevent those risks by restoring the aluminum rims.
How to Restore Aluminum Rims
Before cleaning and restoring your rims, you should have the following items ready:
- Car wash soap
- Wheel cleaner
- Soft bristle brush
- Oxidation remover
- Microfiber cloth
- Wax
- Bucket of water
- Drill with an attached polishing ball (optional)
- Rubbing compound (situational)
Once you have everything at your disposal, follow the steps below:
Clean the Wheels
Use the car wash soap to remove the grime. It’ll help break down the accumulated dust and particles on the surface, making it easier to restore the rims.
Remove Brake Dust
Use a wheel cleaner to remove brake dust and other metallic particles that cause corrosion. Follow the instructions on the bottle, which usually involves letting the solution soak into the rim before rinsing it off.
Clear Oxidation
After rinsing off the wheel cleaner solution, use the oxidation remover and apply a small amount onto a microfiber cloth. Gently scrub the affected area to avoid damaging the wheel’s surface.
You can also use a drill with an attached polishing ball at low speed. This significantly makes the process easier and faster.
Also, avoid the metal part of the rim to keep it from turning black. If that happens, simply wipe it off with a clean cloth.
Remove Scratches
Use a rubbing or polishing compound to smoothen scratches and minor impurities on the surface. Follow the instructions on the solution bottle or container.
The process usually involves applying a small amount on a clean cloth, rubbing the affected area, and wiping it clean.
If the scratches are severe, you might have to sand the wheels. Before you do, remove the clear coat first using a rag dipped in paint thinner to rub the affected area.
Leave it there for a few minutes before using an abrasive pad to remove the top coat. Clean the wheels again afterward and wipe it down.
Use 200-grit sandpaper to sand the area. Follow it up with 400-grit paper, 600-grit, and 800-grit to remove the small scratches left behind by the previous sandpaper grit.
Finally, wash the wheel again after rubbing to remove dirt, then let it dry.
Wax and Protect the Rim
Apply a layer of wax on the rims for extra protection. This will give your wheel an adhesive layer for dust and other harmful elements to stick to instead of the wheel itself.
What Causes Aluminum Rims to Oxidize?
The elements are usually to blame for oxidation in aluminum rims. The process starts once they make contact with the surface of the rim. Oxidation also happens due to contamination, exposure to chemicals, use of incorrect cleaning products, prolonged exposure to UV light, and contact with moisture.
Contamination
Brake dust is the residue or little metal shavings from the rotor and the carbon fiber scraped from the brake pads. As mentioned, it’s harmful if left on aluminum rims because it will chip away at the clear coat, exposing the surface to the elements.
The easiest way to prevent this is to clean the wheels every two weeks, rinsing away the dust and metallic particles. It’s also worth applying wax to add a protective layer.
Exposure to Chemicals
There are harmful chemicals, such as road salt, that make contact with your wheels. These could shave off the clear coat if left on the surface. Salt road, specifically, is damaging to your rims because it’s made of sodium and chloride dissolved in water (melted snow), which speeds up rust formation.
Cleaning the wheels regularly can prevent road salt and other chemicals from damaging the rims.
Use of Incorrect Cleaning Products
Cleaning products, especially acid-based wheel cleaners, can be harmful to both your aluminum rims and the environment. In the same vein, using abrasive cleaning materials and aggressively scrubbing has similar effects.
As such, it’s best to read the instructions and materials on the cleaning solution. You should also err on the side of caution when scrubbing to prevent scratches.
Prolonged Exposure to UV Light
Prolonged exposure to UV radiation can weaken and degrade the protective coating on wheels, which leads to corrosion, cracks, and deflated tires.
And while UV exposure is unavoidable when driving under the sun, you can limit the damage of UV light by parking under shaded spots or inside your garage. There are also protectant sprays you can use to shield your tire from the heat.
Contact With Moisture
On the flip side, rain and snow are also harmful to your aluminum rims because moisture can cause corrosion and discoloration. The damage is even more severe if water gets inside your wheels or tires because it could freeze and create a balancing problem.
Final Thoughts
Because aluminum rims naturally oxidize over time, it’s best to clean and restore them regularly. To do so, you’ll have to use wheel cleaners, oxidation removers, and rubbing compounds to combat the effects of oxidation. Another way to tackle the issue is to prevent the clear coat from being removed in the first place.
Where to Get a New Wheels for Your Vehicle
If your vehicle’s aluminum rims are beyond repair, you’ll likely need a new set of wheels. After all, rims and wheels are a big part of your vehicle’s appearance. It wouldn’t look good if they’re all scuffed up. Thankfully, you can find good deals for a new set of wheels at CarParts.com.
We at CarParts.com aim to give you the best deals whenever you shop with us. That’s why we have customer-centered guarantees in place. For instance, our price-match guarantee ensures you’re getting some of the best bang for your buck. If you find one of the wheels on our catalog for cheaper on another ecommerce site, let us know. We’ll match or beat the price on the spot. We also offer a lifetime replacement guarantee, which serves our loyal customers well.
Get your money’s worth and keep your ride looking fly. Order a new set of wheels at CarParts.com today.
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