Summer’s here, and you know what that means… now’s the time to get the muck and grime off your car to get it back to showroom condition.
But when you get your chance to spruce up your machine, don’t forget to give the wheels a little extra love and attention.
Why? Well because the wheels are, of course, some of the dirtiest and hardest parts of the car to clean. With constant exposure to grit, salt and brake dust, all of which cause corrosive damage that can lead to needing to refurbish your wheels, it really does pay to keep your wheels nice and clean.
So, here are some top tips to take those wheels from ‘muck and groan’ to ‘sparkling chrome’.
Tools of the trade
First thing’s first, if you want to make sure you are looking after your wheels and alloys properly, you need to equip yourself with the proper tools.
Wheel cleaner
Considering how tough some of the grime on wheels can be, and how inaccessible parts of the wheel are, it’s important to use something a little stronger than typical soapy water. When choosing your wheel cleaner or alloy wheel cleaner, make sure it’s effective at dislodging dirt from your alloys without much scrubbing, unless of course you’ve gone the extra mile and removed the wheels entirely to help access those hard-to-reach spots. A few minutes of soaking with your alloy wheel cleaner of choice and a rinsing with the pressure washer should be ample, though a bit of a scrub with a brush to help remove any stubborn patches might also be needed.
In terms of looking for the best alloy wheel cleaner, it’s also important to aim for pH neutral solutions to avoid potentially damaging the rubber, but most specialist solutions already do this.
Iron fallout remover
Odds are, unless you’re a professional valeter, you may not have heard of the term ‘iron fallout’ before, much less thought about buying something to remove it.
Well, iron fallout refers to the metallic particles that get chipped off when you brake, also known as brake dust. These particles then get themselves embedded in your wheel and the car’s paint. This may not seem like such a big deal, after all, these are tiny particles we’re talking about, most are nearly impossible to see besides a slight discolouring.
The problem lies in the metal then reacting with the air. This reaction corrodes your wheels and paint and can even cause structural damage if left unchecked.
Of course, it’s important to note that different types of brakes produce different amounts of iron fallout, with ceramic brakes producing the least. It’s still important to keep an eye on though.
The good news is that with specialist iron fallout removers, protecting your wheels is nice and simple. After giving your wheels a clean to clear off the grit and grime, simply spray the formula on, let it do its business for a few minutes, and then rinse off with some water, either by hand or with your handy power washer. You should see quite a change in the wheels with the metal returning to its original colour.
Again, make sure that you get a fallout remover that is pH controlled to prevent potential damage to your tyres.
Brushes and washers
We’ve covered the soaps needed, but you’re going to need some trusty tools to make your pursuit of perfect wheels that much easier. First things first, a set of tyre brushes is an absolute must. Wheels are full of nooks and crannies – so having a selection of quality brushes for your alloy wheels will make cleaning them all that much easier. Having an all-purpose alloy wheel brush designed to clear iron fallout is a great start, but having some smaller ones like toothbrushes (though probably best not to use your current one) on hand can be a real blessing.
Second, if you plan on making wheel cleaning a regular routine (which we strongly recommend – little and often is generally the best way to keep on top of it), then having a pressure washer will save you a huge amount of time. Being able to blast off grime and effectively rinse your soaps off quickly is an absolute lifesaver. Plus, getting a quality pressure washer doesn’t have to break the bank, just check out our range of pressure washers here.
Finishing touches
By now, your wheels will be gleaming once again, but there are still a few finishing touches you can add if you have the time.
Don’t forget to give your actual tyres a bit of a clean as well (not the tread of course, just the sidewall). This is more of an aesthetic point; there’s no point having shiny alloys if the tyres are still mucky!
Finally, you can use alloy wheel paint. This will help cover up any scratches or stone chips while also giving your wheels a protective coating, making cleaning your wheels all that much easier in the future as well.
