Here’s How to Clean and Polish Rims

Being a responsible car owner means knowing how to properly clean and maintain every part of your car. Most of the time, however, people neglect to take proper care of their wheels. With tons of rims and tires for sale in the market, it’s not entirely surprising why many people choose to just purchase aftermarket wheels after they have failed to maintain the ones on their cars.

On average, a normal set of tires should last at least 4 to 5 years depending on the mileage or the usage. The rims, depending on the material, can match or even surpass the life of your car. This all depends on how much you take care of them, of course. Good quality or expensive rims and tires for sale can actually last you a lifetime and is a great investment in the long run with all the money you can save.

Cleaning is Essential

A general rule of thumb is to have your car cleaned at least every two weeks. By doing this, you can prolong the longevity of your vehicle and all its parts. Driving into a car wash might sound like a great idea but it’s also important to do some cleaning yourself.

A carwash often focuses on the body and the interiors and may sometimes overlook other parts such as your wheels. Rims and tires often have intricate designs with nooks and crevices that are prone to dirt buildup. If not cleaned properly over time, it causes damage and corrosion which will be detrimental to the condition of the wheel as a whole. The best thing to do is to clean your wheels regularly and it can be simply done using tools and materials you can find in your garage.

Step 1: Find yourself a strong water supply. A simple hose with a powerful stream will do but using a pressure washer would be more ideal. Simply give each wheel a good initial wash. This will help soften up some of the dirt that has caked up in between deep crannies.

Step 2: Apply some wheel cleaning products with a brush with soft and gentle bristles. A good cleaning product will loosen all the dirt that water is not able to. Make sure that you use a brush with longer bristles so that it can get in between deep and tough spots. After scrubbing each wheel, let the cleaning product sit for a while in order for it to seep through even the smallest gaps.

It’s also important to note that you should only use cleaning products that are non-acidic. Water-based products help preserve the condition of your rims.

Step 3: Give your car another powerful and thorough rinse. You may notice that there’s actually more dirt being washed off after using a wheel cleaning product. So it’s important to hose down the parts with deep nooks and crannies to wash off all the softened dirt. Once this is done, your wheels should shine brighter than they used to.

Step 4: Dry each wheel with a clean towel. Using a microfiber towel may also be more helpful because it absorbs better than a normal one. Making sure that your rims are dry is important because it allows the polish to stick or adhere better on the surfaces.

Step 5: Using another clean cloth or towel, start rubbing your polishing product carefully around your rims. Work in smaller sections to avoid the product from drying out and avoid rubbing in a circular motion. Once this is done, your wheels should be clean and pristine.

Buying new rims and tires for sale might sound like a better option if you want to save time and energy. But as a responsible and smart car owner, it’s still better to maintain your rims and tires if you want to save money and make the most out of your investment.