In the automotive industry, alloy wheels are widely popular as a way to add style and substance to a vehicle. As the name suggests, they are wheels made from alloys of aluminium or magnesium. As alloys are a mixture of metals and other elements, they ultimately provide greater strength and enhanced aesthetics.
However, keep in mind that these wheels will become dirty and fade away over time. For this reason, you have to regularly polish them to maintain their finish and take good care of the vehicle’s paintwork.
If you don’t know how to proceed with polishing your alloy wheels, here are five key steps to follow:
1. Clean them thoroughly
Before you take the plunge into polishing your wheels, a thorough cleaning is a must, and this entails washing them to get rid of stubborn dirt, grime, and debris. In this stage, it’s best to use a specialised cleaner for wheels as a vehicle shampoo only removes the dirt on the surface.
Avoid using abrasive cleaning products and resorting to steam cleaning as they compromise the quality and life expectancy of the alloy. You also have to wash your wheels when completely cooled as heat evaporates the water and soap quickly, leaving soap spots. To end it off, use a fresh cloth to avoid applying previous dirt to the wheels.
2. Keep them completely dry
After ensuring that your wheels are completely clean, you must make sure that they are dry. Of course, you need to get rid of moisture or water so that you can apply the wheel brightener and polish.
To keep the wheels dry, use a clean, soft microfibre cloth that won’t react with the polishing solutions. Once done, you are all set for the actual polishing treatment.
3. Apply a wheel brightener
At this point, you’ll need to apply a wheel brightener just before you get into the actual polishing. Keep in mind that a good amount of brightener works wonders on your wheels.
The brightener is designed to keep the aluminium and alloy parts bright and sparkling for a long period. Likewise, this product is excellent at removing brake dust for the benefit of your wheels.
4. Use an alloy polish of your choice
Now that the wheels are completely clean, dry, and sparkling, let’s proceed to the actual polishing work.
First, use a clean cloth to apply the polish onto the wheels, and be sure to work in the direction of the grain, and avoid rubbing in circles. Likewise, you have to work in small sections to avoid the polish from drying out. Finally, use a small, soft brush to get into the hard-to-reach wheel spots.
5. Have a finishing polish
After applying the initial polishing grade, you will need to apply the finishing polish by using a soft microfibre cloth. Be sure to polish until the fabric runs out of it. Keep in mind that the longer you polish the wheels, the shiner they will be!
Conclusion
Our guide to polishing your alloy wheels is straightforward and relatively easy to follow. All it takes is to clean them thoroughly, keep them completely dry, apply a brightener, use an alloy polish, and apply a finishing polish. Be sure to follow the crucial steps discussed above. If you aren’t sure how to proceed, it’s best to get a professional wheel service instead!
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