Tips for Cleaning Aluminum Wheels and Tires to Keep Them Looking Great
Aluminum wheels or alloy wheels have become more common on today’s automobiles. The reason auto manufacturers like alloy wheels is because they are lighter than steel. Since they are lighter, they allow the vehicle to accelerate faster, lighten the vehicle’s overall weight, and improve fuel efficiencies.Yet, keeping aluminum wheels clean does require using the right car care products. If you use the wrong ones, you could damage your aluminum wheels and they won’t look good at all. Ultimately, you are shelling out more money to get new wheels to replace the ones messed up.
Tip #1: Choose the Right Wheel and Tire Cleaner
Alloy wheels have a special coating on them, just like the clear coat on your vehicle’s paint. Many of the wheel and tire cleaner products on the market use harsh and highly acidic ingredients in their formulations that can damage the finish on alloy wheels.
What you want to use is an alkaline-based or a basic formula cleaner. You can read the labels on the bottles, and it should state the product is safe for aluminum or alloy wheels. If not, don’t use it.
Alternatively, if you want to save time, you can use Armor All Wheel Cleaner or Armor All Extreme Wheel and Tire Cleaner. Both of these products have been designed to work on alloy wheels and will not damage their finish.
Tip #2: Follow the Right Cleaning Steps
To remove brake dust, dirt, and grime, you want to use similar cleaning steps as you do when you wash your car.
- Apply wheel and tire cleaner allowing it to “soak” for several minutes.
- Rinse off the wheels with water.
- Apply a gentle soap.
- Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe each wheel.
- Rinse the wheels.
- Dry the wheels with a dry microfiber cloth.
- Apply an alloy wheel-friendly wax.
- Buff until polished and shiny.
Tip #3: Avoid Using Armor All Original Protectant on Wheels
Armor All Original Protectant is perfect to use on the tires to make them shine. You can also use Armor All Tire Foam. Just be careful to not overspray and get these products on the alloy wheels.These products are not designed to be used on aluminum wheels. If you do overspray it onto the wheels, promptly wipe it off and use wheel and tire cleaner to fully remove it. Then reapply a new coat of wax.Tip #4: Clean Tires and Wheels Weekly
To keep brake dust, dirt, and grime from accumulating on the wheels, you want to clean them weekly, even if you only wash your car every other week. Washing them at home is easy to do, by stocking up on the right wheel and tire cleaning products you can purchase from vending machines at your local car wash.
How Car Wash Owners Can Help Their Customers Keep Tires and Wheels Clean
If you own a car wash, you can post these tips in each of your car wash bays on posters. Make sure to include where your vending machines are located with the products and supplies they need to clean their tires and wheels.
Car wash owners can find Armor All Wheel Cleaner, Tire Foam, Original Protectant, and more for their vending machines by shopping online at Superior Car Wash Supply today! Do not hesitate to contact us at 800-554-9274 for further assistance.