There are all sorts of styles, sizes, and finishes that you can have for the rims on your car, but one of the more popular choices when it comes to giving your vehicle a somewhat sporty and sleek look is chrome.
In this article, we are going to be looking at the proper maintenance and cleaning routines for chrome rims, as well as what can happen to them if they are not maintained appropriately. Let’s get started.
What Are Chrome Rims?
When we discuss chrome rims for a vehicle, we are referring to rims that are highly polished and have chrome plating. These platings reflect the light in a way similar to a mirror. A fair amount of standard cars have rims that are meant to resemble chrome, but are not the real deal.
Real chrome rims are not only a stylish choice, but they are actually beneficial for your car, as they are durable and add a layer of protection to your wheel that prevents scratches and chips.
This protective coating also makes chrome rims able to cope with extreme weather without the fear of corrosion or rust.
The non-porous finish on chrome rims also aids with the cleaning process, making it easier for you to get them clean again
How Do You Clean Chrome Rims?
Chrome has a certain shine to it, which is incredibly eye-catching, but this shimmering nature also means that dirt and grime will show up more prominently.
The softness of chrome also means that brake dust- made up of carbon fibers, adhesive from your brake pads, and tiny shavings of metal from the rotor- penetrate chrome rims more easily.
This mixture can become highly corrosive due to the friction and intense heat that is generated by the car when you brake. With braking being a frequent part of driving, brake dust is equally common.
As we mentioned, chrome rims have a non-porous finish that helps with the cleaning process, but appropriate and frequent cleaning is still a necessity in order to keep your chrome rims safe.
Regular soap and water aren’t recommended with chrome due to the harsh chemicals that can be found in certain soaps, such as hydrofluoric acid or oxalic.
These kinds of chemicals can be detrimental to chrome as they can leave stains that can permanently blemish the finish as well as cause spotting.
When it comes to the product to use for cleaning, do your research to find the one that will work best for your rims and your wheels.
There are all sorts of different kinds available, such as Simple Green All Wheel and Tire Cleaner, which offers residue-free cleaning without any caustic fumes. Look for the brand that suits your needs the best, but remember to avoid any harsh chemicals by checking the labels.
What Happens If You Don’t Clean Your Chrome Rims?
There are a few issues that can occur if you don’t clean your car’s chrome rims appropriately.
These include the following:
- Pitting caused by corrosion
- Corrosion of the bead
- Corrosion of the valve stem, which could lead to air leaks
- Peeling from the metal structure underneath
- Loss of shine
A Step-By-Step Guide To Cleaning Your Chrome Rims
Let’s get into the step-by-step guide to cleaning your chrome rims! Here is what you will need to have to hand.
Essential
- A bucket with water
- A garden hose or pressure washer
- Your chosen rim-cleaning solution
- A soft bristled wheel brush
- A lug nut brush
Optional
- Microfiber cloth
- Chrome polish
- Step One: Rinse the wheels of your vehicle one at a time with either a pressure washer or a garden hose. This should get rid of any brake dust and loose dirt. Don’t forget to only rinse and clean off one wheel at a time. Otherwise, you risk water drying on the surface and leaving water spots on the rims.
- Step Two: Spray the surface of the rims with your chosen cleaner. Make sure that the rims are thoroughly coated, and then leave the cleaner to sit for around one to two minutes.
- Step Three: Grab your soft-bristled brush and begin to reach through the spokes of the rim in order to clean them from front to back. Repeat this process for each of the chrome rims, making sure that you get as deeply into the spokes as possible. You also need to ensure that you only use a soft-bristled wheel brush, as they loosen up brake dust and grime that is lodged in the rim without scratching at the surface of the chrome.
- Step Four: With your lug nut brush, clean the inside of the lug nut holes as well as around the lug nuts themselves.
- Step Five: Repeat the rinsing process whilst ensuring that you rinse between the spokes and the lug nut holes as thoroughly as possible.
- Step Six: Allow the rims to air dry rather than hand drying them, though if you do opt to hand dry then do so with a microfiber cloth as this will reduce the chances of scratching the chrome.
- Step Seven: Repeat each of these steps with the other rims until all four are completely clean.
Optional Step
If you want to see the best possible results, then apply your chosen chrome polish, as this will seal the surface.
Make sure that you follow the instructions on the label of your chosen polish and- depending on how often you drive- repeat the polishing process at least twice a month. Doing so will keep that shine lasting longer.
Final Thoughts
So there you have everything that you need to know about cleaning your chrome rims.
Make sure that you follow the above directions to keep the chrome of the rims if your car shining, whilst also keeping them in the best possible condition to avoid dangerous possibilities, such as corrosion or peeling.
With a little elbow grease, you will have your chrome rims looking perfect in no time!