Autumn has begun in earnest, and if you've been driving lately, you too may have noticed that it's not the best time of year to keep your vehicle clean... Dead leaves, torrential rain, first snow and mud are often the order of the day as soon as you venture off the freeways. If you're the kind of person who uses his or her vehicle more during the summer, it may be even dirtier than average! Your wheels, in particular, are probably coated with a mixture of grease and metal dust. My solution? After spring cleaning, fall cleaning!
We rarely think about it, but even your car's rims sometimes deserve a bit of special attention, especially right before you get ready to install your winter tires. As the weather changes, a clean rim is less likely to corrode than one filled with mud and brake filings. Cleaning them may sound simple, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
Watch out for your instruments!
The aim of washing your rims is to prolong their life and limit wear and tear. It would be a bit disappointing to damage them even more by using inappropriate tools! Large debris can easily be removed with just water, no need to get out the sponges. When it comes to removing small particles, turn to simple, soft cloths, preferably microfibre.
Avoid abrasive sponges or excessively rough cloths that could damage the rim finish and, above all, don't add more pure water. If you dislodge metal particles too effectively, you could make the situation worse by scratching the rim! The worst places to wash are often the corners formed by the rim pattern. Here, the same trick applies. A simple toothbrush or a soft, non-abrasive brush is preferable.
What kind of cleaner should I use to wash my rims?
Some will say that you should turn to one brand or another of specialized products, but the truth is that any detergent with good degreasing power will do the trick. While some swear by dishwashing detergent, others prefer a product designed for bodywork. There's no wrong answer... except abrasive detergents!
Once again, some detergents can be particularly corrosive to the surface of your wheels. This is particularly true of products made with strong acids or bases. A PH-neutral soap is therefore preferable. Once washed, rinse with another clean microfiber cloth and enjoy your clean rims!
