How to clean chrome wheels

How to clean chrome wheels

CHROME car wheels look very shiny and new, but can rapidly become dirty. So how should you go about cleaning chrome wheels?

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Chrome wheels tend to last many years because they have one of the strongest wheel coatings. The electroplating procedure makes chrome wheels highly resilient and tolerant to corrosion. But how exactly do you clean them effectively?

Chrome wheels can be washed with most common automotive wheel cleans.

But some specialised cleaning techniques can ensure they are kept very shiny.

Chrome is a plating process for wheels and other parts that involves applying several layers of metals, including nickel and sometimes copper, followed by the chrome plating.

The end result is a mirror-like finish and a brilliant shine.

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How to clean chrome wheels: How to clean chrome wheels (Image: GETTY)

How to clean chrome wheels: Chrome wheels can become dirty very quickly (Image: GETTY)

How to clean chrome car wheels

Materials:

• Multi-purpose cleaner
• Hose
• Water
• Soft-bristled brush
• Microfibre cloths
• Wax
• Chrome polish.

How to clean chrome wheels: Cleaning wheels properly can leave you with a mirror finish (Image: GETTY)

Method:

The first step to cleaning your chrome wheels should be to rinse them.

Using a hose or power washer hose off your wheels to loosen and remove any debris and dirt stuck on them.

The next step involves applying a specialist wheel cleaner to your wheel.

Once the cleaner has been applied, use a soft-bristled brush, a microfibre cloth or sponge to scrub down and clean the wheels.

Make sure you poke through the wheel spokes and clean in between the nooks and crannies.

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How to clean chrome wheels: Begin cleaning your wheels by rinsing them with water (Image: GETTY)

The next step is that you should clean the wheel wells, which are the metal spaces up and surrounding the wheels of the car.

To clean them effectively, you should use an all-purpose cleaner and a stiff bristle brush.

This is an area of the car which can endure a little more elbow grease.

Once you have finished cleaning this area, you should rinse it well with clean water.

Dry the wheels using a microfibre cloth or dryer sheets to prevent water stains from forming.

How to clean chrome wheels: End with waxing your wheels to get the best finish (Image: GETTY)

You should then apply a chrome polish to the wheel using a soft rag.

Make sure to polish each wheel individually before moving onto the others.

The next stage is to polish the wheel using a polishing ball or a soft cloth by spreading the wax over the wheel and buffing with the ball or cloth.

Once the polish begins to dry out, use a soft, microfibre cloth to wipe the wheel and collect any excess polish.

You should repeat this process for all four wheels.

Tips to get an extra shiny finish

• Clean the wheels with a clay bar
• Remove any imperfections and scratches on your wheels using a polisher
• Apply a tire dressing