Fitting your vehicle with custom rims, especially those that are made from chrome, is probably one of the best means to improve your car’s aesthetics. Besides being stable under high heat, chrome finish is what gives your wheels that bluish luster that lends a generally luxurious appeal to your vehicle. However, while chrome rims may be durable in nature, it doesn’t take long for them to get dirty and dull looking. This is especially true if you drive your vehicle in a place that is dusty during the summer and sees winter months that require road salting during icy conditions, which in turn could immediately corrode the rims of your vehicle. And because it is necessary that you clean your chrome rims regularly, it is also imperative that you know what cleaning agents to use as improper chrome cleaning could lead to chrome scratching.
Probably the best way to avoid damage and dirt on your chrome custom rims is not to neglect them and leave them dirty. The dirtier your chrome rims become before you actually deal with them, the more effort you have to clean your wheels and the higher the risk of damage they will acquire. The moment you start to notice dulling and dirt build up on your wheels, immediately wash them. But, make sure that your rims are cool before you clean them to prevent any type of spotting that could result from cleaning your chrome rims while they are warm.
To appropriately clean your chrome wheels, a mixture of mild washing detergent or soap and water can do the trick. To make such mixture, dissolve two cupfuls of mild detergent soap on a half bucket of water. Using a soft towel drenched in the mixture you made, gently wipe the visible dirt or dust particles building up on your wheels. Also, clean the crevices and hidden areas of your wheels to remove hidden particles. Make sure to rub your wheels gently because exerting too much pressure on your rims could actually remove its chrome finish, or worse could cause scratches on your wheels. After the first round of wiping, take your hose and wash your wheels to remove the loosened particles. Do the whole process at least two times, or if you haven’t cleaned your car for long you have to repeat the process several times to ensure that your wheels are truly clean.
If you can’t remove the dust build up on your chrome wheels using soap and water, you could use plain white or cider vinegar as a substitute. As vinegar is slightly acidic, it works well in removing gunk and tarnish off of chrome. If you have a slightly serious problem such as rust peeking through your chrome rims, grab a bit of aluminum foil with the shiny side out and dip it in vinegar and scrub it on your wheels. Pay careful attention to the amount of pressure you apply to avoid removing your wheels’ chrome finish. After this method of chrome polishing, rinse well with water.
Once you’re satisfied with the cleanliness of your chrome wheels, make sure to dry it really well with a soft towel. You may not actually know it but chrome is notorious for developing water marks. For the last method, if you would like to make your chrome rims look nicer and as good as new, try polishing them with a wax especially made for chrome. Aside from making your rims shiny, this final touch up will help reduce the frequency of chrome cleaning.
Now that your chrome rims are clean, it is equally important that you pay attention to the maintenance needs of your wheels in general. Proper care and inflation of tires is necessary to get good gas mileage and handling for your vehicle. Likewise, you should also make sure that your wheels are balanced to ensure that they will run smoothly on the road. Once you are able to attend to all these things, your car will not only look visually appealing, it will also run safer and smoother mile after mile after mile.
Chrome wheels are probably one of the best upgrades that you could give to your vehicle to improve its aesthetics and performance. However, despite the durability of chrome custom rims, they are still subject to dirt build-up and scratches, especially if not regularly cleaned. With that said, it is essential that you periodically attend to the cleaning and maintenance needs of your wheels along with your tires and general wheel assembly to maintain their aesthetics and superior performance.



