1. You'll need warm water, rubber gloves, eye protection and, of course the drain cleaner. They collect brake dust and road grime, and may require use of specialized cleaners to avoid damaging their finish. Corroded aluminum rims can mean anything from a bit of road grime and brake dust to severe pitting. In fact, if you scrub or polish such a surface all you will get is a shiny drab-looking finished product. Having equipped yourself with modern detergents, washing supplies and useful tips on how to clean aluminium window frames, you will maintain them easily. Sanding can be done by hand or, for large areas, a small sanding wheel on a drill can be used, but be certain not to apply too much pressure and to keep the wheel moving so that you do not gouge too deeply into any one spot on your rims. It’s not a terribly difficult task, either, as this article will describe—just a straightforward, step-by-step process that virtually anyone can do. Don't be afraid to use a little elbow grease. If you don't get the "black" spot then your wheels are clear-coated or have some sort of protectant on them. Oxygen is one of the enemies of aluminum. Rinse wheels to remove loose dirt and brake dust. Threfore, we decided to return to our friends at Meguiar’s for some wheel cleaning basics. We went to work trying to bring them back to a nice shine. Anodized aluminum is easier to dye that plain aluminum. All you need to de-anodize your piece of aluminum is a shallow pan large enough in which to lay it. First step is to wet sand your part. : I dislike the color of many anodized parts and tools, and I love the look of bare aluminum. Scrub with a Teflon-safe dish-washing scrubber. Wipe your rims dry with a good terry cloth. We find that keeping a coat of wax on the piece prevents tarnishing and staining. If you are cleaning aluminum wheels or house siding, use … While easier, they can actually provide too much power. Use a Fire Hose Nozzle to deliver a strong stream of water. This process causes a controlled oxidation that covers the every part that has been treated. Use water to rinse the aluminum wheels. They are anodized aluminum and really just needed a good cleaning. Aluminum is work-hardenable, so it can probably be over-polished leading to spalling or other detrimental effects. Formulated for bare aluminum metal and anodized wheels, it is beneficial in removing all types of stains and scratches. Living in the desert, they were dirty, dusty, and grimy. Anodized aluminum is pure metal that has been altered by chemicals and an electrical current. Step by Step. Unfortunately, anodized surfaces don't clean well. If your rims are still corroded, go to the next step. Removing Anodizing From Aluminum Quickly and Easily. Fill the pan with enough warm water to cover the piece and then add enough drain cleaner to do the job — we find that 1 tablespoon of cleaner to one gallon of water will de-anodize a couple pieces like headlight bezels. How much time and effort it will take to clean your corroded rims depends totally on how badly corroded they are and what type of corrosion is present. Apply more aluminum polishing compound and rub it gently by hand using a clean cotton cloth. You cannot polish the aluminum until you have it de-anodized, and strong cleaners will stain or … After a few minutes you will see that the piece is a uniform, flat color. Once your rims have been thoroughly sanded to an even brightness, rinse them with water and then polish them with aluminum brightener available to your local auto parts dealer. Spray the anodized aluminum with a high pressure rinse. Cast aluminum can be porous, but the aluminum used in our trim, which is probably die-extruded, should not be porous. will last a number of years without tarnishing. Frequent cleaning will help to keep future corrosion to a minimum. However, maintaining the look of new and shiny rims requires the correct type of cleaning … This should remove most of the surface grime and allow you to get closer to the real corrosion. The anodized layer will be porous. Do NOT use power tools. Don't be afraid to use a little elbow grease. Click here for Downloadable Instructions. Now you can sand your piece with 800 grit paper to remove scratches and then buff the surface to a bright shine. Begin the process of cleaning oxidized aluminum by rinsing the aluminum to remove surface dust or debris. After you’ve placed the billet aluminum wheels or accessories on your vehicle it’s typical to see hazing start after 24 – 48 hours. Do this using a pressure washer filled with water or a spray nozzle on a hose. Rub in only one direction and rub very lightly. Cleaning anodized aluminum is easy with the right technique. That would be nice and effective, but it turns out that aluminum is one of those metals that can be chemically de-anodized. So many people feel like they need to use heavy cleaners to get things clean. Since aluminum is one of the softer metals, it responds quite well to polishing. Furthermore, solvent cleaning is not the best pre-paint treatment for bare aluminum. Fortunately, it's easy to remove the anodized coating from most things. It can also be used for other metals such as chrome, painted wheels, steel, modular and custom/factory coated wheels. Sand any pitted areas with 400-grit sandpaper. Allow the soap to soak in for no more than 5 minutes and then hose it off with a strong stream of water. Apply two to three coats of clear coat, allowing sufficient drying time between coats. Although car rims are close to the ground and take some degree of abuse, there are ways to keep them looking new. Due to wheel temperature increase during use,spots,discoloration and dullness will occur when tire shine and coating cleaner are not properly removed.Wheels are unrepairable if left in this condition.Thorough rinsing with water when cleaning is recommended to preserve shine. They are in decent shape, but could use a little work. Aluminum is a relatively soft metal, which means it responds well to polishing. Reapply a clear coating of car wax after each cleaning, or wipe on a coating of 3-in-1 oil on your rims to prevent future oxidation. After all, the anodizing process requires acid baths, cleaning steps and electric current, not to mention timing equipment and dyes (for those colored surfaces like brackets, etc.) Anodizing is a finish that is in the aluminum, not on the aluminum. Whether you want to restore its shine or prepare the surface for painting, vinegar will do the job without harsh chemicals. Also, you can spray the piece with clear lacquer or enamel to protect it in harsher environments. The build-up of road grime, dust and salt from riding in adverse conditions can make braking less consistent and wear down your rims faster. Before you get started with our Ford wheel cleaning tips, you’ll need some car care products. This is where I'm unsure of where to proceed. When cleaning wheels, you may need bug and tar remover, a wash mitt, microfibre towels for cleaning and polishing, a bristle wheel brush, sponge and a wash bucket. How-To Refurbish Oxidized, Faded or Stained Anodized Aluminum, Powder-coated Aluminum or Painted Aluminum. Today Parr train dogs and write articles on a variety of topics for websites worldwide. When cleaned and polished, aluminum wheels have the potential to shine like chrome. Simply leaving your rims exposed to the air will cause them to turn dull and look shabby. Again, don't be afraid to use a little elbow grease. Rinse and dry again. Treatment and maintenance of anodized aluminum window frames. This will remove any loose dust and dirt on the wheels. But, we knew we could clean … I first heard about this here, but I found their instructions lacking.The pictures be… I plan to clean them up first with soap and water, followed by an few applications of the multipiece wheel cleaner to clean up the back of the wheel. Sounds difficult, doesn't it? Cleaning wheels and rims is one of the least-fun chores of detailing a Lexus. To clean oxidized aluminum wheels, start by rinsing the wheels with water, making sure to focus on the build up around the spokes. It comes in liquid and crystal form and we find the dry crystals are the most effective (and least expensive.). Aluminum wheels can shine like chrome when they are cleaned and polished to perfection. Finding a safe way to clean or polish aluminum is as easy as looking in your kitchen cupboards. Next, use the 400-600 grit wet/dry sandpaper to sand the rims until the pitting is gone. Once your rims are looking good, they need to be protected from the air. Cleaning wheels first will prevent brake dust and dirty water from splashing onto a clean car. Allow the clear coat to dry overnight before attempting to reinstall the tires or reinstall the wheels back on the vehicle. The pressure washer will give you much greater power. Mask off painted areas of your vehicle using painter's masking tape and sheets of plastic. It will remain a soft surface unless you anodize it again, but that takes equipment and a little experience. Remove any dirt and grime from the rims with a rag and the soapy water. Mineral spirits is a better choice for degreasing and is safer to use. Here are the steps you should follow to clean aluminum wheels. Add in road salts and grime, brake dust and other contaminants and your bright, shinny aluminum rims can start looking really nasty. Hope this helps. All Rights Reserved. Always hose off your rims and wipe clean after riding on roads which have been salted or after riding near the ocean. Terms of Use | Who We Are | Contact Us | Sitemap | Privacy Policy. Clean aluminum wheels make all the difference, and cleaning them could even make you feel like you’ve got a new car all over again. For car enthusiasts, clean and shiny rims are just as important as having a clean and spotless car. If you are polishing an uncoated aluminum wheel, remove the wheels from the vehicle and remove accessories like center caps and valve stem covers. Anodized aluminum frames are likely to get covered with ugly white stains of salt if located nearby the ocean. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker. Frequent cleaning is the only way to keep your wheels safe. Anodized aluminum extrusions can fade and oxidize. Just my 2cents based on not physically seeing them. Make sure there's air movement over the pan, since the vapors can be a bit caustic. For many types of corrosion this is all that is necessary. Hose off with a strong stream of water and immediately buff with a clean terry cloth rag. I have seen numerous wheels and other items boogered from degreaser. For 25 years he wrote cartoons for television, everything from "Smurfs" to "Spider-Man." We won’t polish these to a mirror finish - that would require removing the anodizing. If the process is going too slowly you can add more cleaner. Because anodizing is so hard, you want to use an abrasive cleaning technique with a gentle soap. A lot of trim pieces on older cars were made of aluminum that was anodized. I only use VP power wash moto formula diluted 5-1. If there are any, immerse the piece in the chemical for a little longer and rub them out. Watch the bubbles form on the aluminum and lift it out every minute or so to remove the accumulated "smut." For many types of pitting this is, unfortunately, the only solution. The "magic" chemical is sodium hydroxide, and it is the active ingredient in drain cleaners (Drano). Anodized Rim Precautions. Eventually, however, the metal surface becomes stained and scratched and looking generally dull, so much so that it either needs to be replaced or cleaned. All you need to de-anodize your piece of aluminum is a shallow pan large enough in which to lay it. The oxide formed is harder than steel and extremely porous. Hose off your rims with a hard stream of water and apply a liberal amount of liquid dish soap. Use solvents with care as they may stain the finish. We recommend cleaning the wheels before washing your vehicle. You'll need warm water, rubber gloves, eye protection and, of course the drain cleaner. As mentioned already, the best thing to wash anodized aluminum with is a quality car wash with water. Cleaning the aluminum wheels prior to cleaning the vehicle will prevent dirty water and dust from dirtying your clean car. And on anodized aluminum I use car wash soap. Hose off your rims with a hard stream of water and apply a liberal amount of liquid dish soap. One would think, therefore, that de-anodizing would require the same materials, only in reverse order. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. If you take a little dab of the Mother's or Brasso that you are using to shine your aluminum cast wheels and rub on the wheel using a cloth for only a few seconds you should get a definite "black" spot on the cloth. Although lacquer thinner may remove oily soils, using it for solvent cleaning is not a good method because it evaporates too quickly. Larry Parr has been a full-time professional freelance writer for more than 30 years. Dry it off and inspect for any residual anodized spots, which show up as darker surface finish. All you need is the right chemical, and you can find it in your grocery store. Fill the pan with enough warm water to cover the piece and then add enough drain cleaner to do the job — we find that 1 tablespoon of cleaner to one gallon of water will de-anodize a couple pieces like headlight bezels. Smut is the chemical residue that forms during the de-anodizing process and you want to remove it periodically to expose the surface to the chemical. Ford Wheel Cleaning Tips. Then spray Easy-Off oven cleaner on your rims and allow it to soak in for 20 to 30 minutes. Cleaning your aluminum wheels is an important habit to get into if you ride often. Allow the soap to soak in for no more than 5 minutes and then hose it off with a strong stream of water. Stains and blemishes should have disappeared, leaving only scratches. Reproducing any material on this website without permission is prohibited. Wipe the wheel down with the mineral spirits and a clean, dry rag. Anodizing is an effective way to create a hard, weather resistant surface that ProtectaClear is recommended for highly polished aluminum, mirror finished aluminum, anodized aluminum wheels or automotive parts. Once you’ve removed as much dirt and brake dust as you can, spray each wheel with a non-acidic wheel cleaner, like Sonax, and use a soft bristle brush to work it into a lather on the surface of the wheels. I just picked up a set of 3 piece wheels which have an anodized lip. Rub areas that the electric polisher missed. Aluminum may tarnish. Red Tripoli polishing compound; Optional: Firm cloth polishing wheel, the type that attaches to a bench grinder or drill. Mix the cleaner thoroughly in the water and place the aluminum piece in it. Polish your rims with a commercial aluminum brightener available at your auto supply store and then polish with a clear car wax. Billet aluminum is polished to a high gloss by the wheel and grill manufacturers and although they’re produced by several manufacturers, you’ll rarely come across a dull one off the show room floor. © 2021 Second Chance Garage, LLC. Cleaning and polishing aluminum is very rewarding and it is an absolute must if you want to keep aluminum wheels looking like new. It is also dangerous due to its low flash point. It’s important to choose the right kind of wheel cleaner. The fancier a wheel is, the easier it is for dust and grime to get stuck in hard-to-reach places. Wipe your rims dry with a good terry cloth. Repeat this step if necessary. In order to properly clean and polish aluminum you have to de-anodize it. Take the piece out and rinse thoroughly with fresh water. Aluminum polish, in this example I used Blue Magic, but there are many other brands that will work. Do not use harsh acidic or alkaline cleaners because they may destroy the finish. If you are cleaning an aluminum pot or pan, rinse the pan under a strong jet of water. Dremel tool and felt polishing wheels/cones; Safety glasses, respirator mask, and gloves. Always clean a cool wheel Only use soap and water to clean, never any chemicals Always wash the wheel to clean it, never wipe it down between cleanings If exposed to salt, wash immediately 1. Wax your rims with a clear car wax to prevent further oxidation. Keeping those new wheels clean is crucial both for their appearance and longevity. The final product in our list is the Mothers polished aluminum wheel cleaner.