How to Clean Chrome Rims
Chrome is shiny and beautiful. That’s why you bought chrome rims for your ride. Now that you have them installed on your vehicle, you have to keep them clean and sparkly all the time – or why even bother to have them?
Chrome rims need maintenance and proper care to stay as impressive as the day you bought them, but keeping them that way is a lot easier than you might think.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about how to clean chrome rims. You’ll want to keep them as reflective as a mirror, so we’re happy to tell you how.
Chromium, Brake Dust, and Dirt – Oh My!
Fortunately, chromium is a soft metal so it responds well to polishing. Although chrome rims also often dent easily for this same reason, you can use the softness of chrome rims to your advantage when it comes time to make them shine.
The enemy of chrome rims is brake dust. Brake dust is created by the heat and friction that allows you to brake and that brings your car to a halt. Every time you drive your vehicle, brake dust is created and it settles on your rims.
Brake dust can be very corrosive so you need to take care of it right away if you want your chrome rims to last a long time. When it isn’t removed, it just builds up more and more over time.
Further, all sorts of other dirty substances are on the road including dirt, mud, spills, salt, sand, and more. It’s crucial that you get these things off your chrome rims as soon as they appear.
How to Clean Chrome Rims
When it comes to learning how to clean chrome rims, you’ll find that the process is very easy. There are many people out there trying to sell shining products to people who have chrome rims. Many are fine products that will do a great job for you.
However, cleaning chrome rims is much easier than that, and none of that stuff is necessary.
The only cleaning substance you really need to clean chrome rims is – get this – soap and water.
That’s it!
In addition, gather a narrow, soft-bristled brush and a microfiber towel, and you are ready to get started.
Step by Step
First, wash your wheels and rims with soap and water to remove the brake dust and any other dirt that has accumulated. A high-pressure hose may help, but if you don’t have one, using a soft sponge will do the trick.
Next, use your soft-bristled brush to scrub the surface. It is vital for you to use a soft-bristled brush because chrome can scratch so easily. The brush you use should feel soft to the touch on your arm or cheek. Remember to get all the nooks and crannies and tiny spaces.
Don’t let the wheel dry while you are scrubbing. Keep the whole surface damp, or you will end up with spots. You should do the complete cleaning process on each wheel one at a time for this reason.
Then, thoroughly rinse the soap off of the rim. Once you have all the soap off, use a soft, microfiber towel to dry every centimeter of your rims. Any spots will affect the mirror-like finish, so make sure you get them all.
Repeat on your other wheels and you are ready to sparkle and glow.
Happy Shining
Although you will need to clean your rims on a very regular basis, in time you will be able to do it quite fast. Practice makes perfect. Now that you know how to clean chrome rims, you will be the talk of the town as you drive around shining like the star that you are.
If you’re looking for the perfect rims for your car, check out our selection.
