Aluminum rims are currently more and more common on cars and also more and more popular. There is nothing surprising, as they not only look good, but compared to steel discs , they can also bring a number of important positives. These include, for example, the fact that they can cool the air brakes better, just as they can improve the driving characteristics themselves thanks to their lower weight. If we look specifically, the car has perfect ALU wheels from the factory, or when we buy these new discs. But what if we want to preserve their beauty? It is primarily necessary not to forget regular and especially thorough care. If you are interested in how it should look specifically, take a look with us at several paths you can take.
The basis is regular cleaning
Yes, you definitely can’t do without it. If you want it to look new literally every day, you need to devote regular time to cleaning. If we are more specific, we must say that the ideal interval for the cleaning itself is 1-2 weeks. That is, depending on how often you drive and where you park your car. It makes a difference if it is placed in the garage and you only drive it occasionally, or if you drive it hundreds of kilometers every day and then leave it parked outside.
Regular cleaning means at least thorough rinsing with water. Water from a regular garden hose can help here, but a much better and more effective way is to use a pressure washer. Whether you have it at home or you go to one of the gas stations where this solution is available in the form of a self-service car wash. After that, all you need is a stream of water and all the dirt that hasn’t settled on the car can be completely removed in a few moments. And expenses? One cleaning does not have to exceed more money than just a few tens of crowns.
What about the eaten dirt?
Ordinary water will hardly help you here. Therefore, it is necessary to use much more effective methods of cleaning itself. If we look at a few options more specifically here, it must be said that the basis should be a dish sponge, a washing sponge, or perhaps a cotton cloth. Always remember that the tool in question should not only be strong and sturdy, but also soft at the same time. This means above all that you should definitely not use any tools associated with an abrasive layer. That is, with one that would risk scratching the disc of your bike. In that case, you will definitely do more harm than good. That’s good to think about.
Also, keep in mind that even stubborn dirt needs to be removed more gently, with regular rinsing. Remember that if it is dried mud and other debris, it will contain a number of pebbles. In this case, any stubbornness would result in you scratching your ALU discs significantly . Therefore, proceed gently, with regular circular movements and with the necessity of regular rinsing.
Don’t forget the right preparations
What you absolutely cannot do without are the right preparations, which are directly related to the management and cleaning of your ALU discs. If you choose universal options, we recommend that you pay attention to the fact that they get along well and without any problems with the aluminum that forms the basis of your discs. Therefore, the product in question should definitely not contribute to its possible damage in any way. This can be related, for example, to tarnishing, as well as possible etching. What is also good to watch out for is the fact that today there are products that are specifically designed for ALU discs. You definitely won’t go wrong with their purchase, as they can offer a combination of not only strength, but also frugality. It goes without saying that if the dirt is really strong, the entire thorough cleaning procedure must be repeated several times until everything is as perfect as it should be.
Pay attention to the wheel temperature
It is also very important to know that we should never clean or perhaps wash the wheels with water while they are still warm. That is, when they are especially warmed up after a long drive. In such a case, it is ideal to leave the car in the shade for a few tens of minutes so that the wheels cool down. Only then can we apply water. This is necessary for the reason that the combination of too hot wheels and ice water could cause major complications connected mainly with the fact that the given aluminum wheel could even crack. It is therefore good to think about it whenever you decide to clean. Although this is not that common, it is good not to underestimate it.
Also think about prevention
Once your ALU wheels have been thoroughly washed, you can start the second step, which is related to their care. This means that it is necessary to let them dry and then polish them with a dry cloth. This is primarily because if you were to go out on the road with wet discs, dust and other dirt will get caught on them much faster and also much easier. In this regard, do not neglect this step and always wait until they are perfectly dry. In addition, the polishing itself will give them a perfect appearance again.
Also, don’t forget that even in this segment there are a number of really practical products that you can use for the polishing itself. Not only will they give your discs a perfect look again, but they also have preventive properties. Usually, they can create a unique film on the surface of the disc, which primarily prevents any specific dirt from adhering. Thanks to this, you are assured that there is no need to worry about any other dirt remaining on your wheels. Thanks to this, in the future you can only go through the cleaning process associated with rinsing with water.
