How To Clean Mag Wheels
Mag wheels are important parts of automobiles. Just like all the other parts of vehicles, they can look much better when cleaned and maintained properly. However, these parts are exposed to numerous factors, which can actually make them look dirty. Corrosive materials, brake dust and road debris can all cause wear and tear. Help extend the life of your wheels as well as improve the overall appearance of your cars by learning how to clean mag wheels.
Materials Needed
To provide your mag wheels with a newer and shiner look, you will need a number of important materials to get this moderately challenging job done. These include a bucket, a nozzle and a water hose. Likewise, prepare other important things such as a couple of terrycloth rags, aluminum wheel cleaner and soap. In addition, purchase a heavy-duty brush, which is highly important particularly in removing stubborn dirt, dust and grime.
Steps
Before cleaning, it is important to check the wheels. The brakes must be cool before starting because spraying cold water on hot brakes can actually warp the rotors. When sprayed with cold water, there is a tendency for hot wheels to develop spotting. Get the water hose and use it to wash away road debris and brake dust from the mag wheels. For higher pressure, simply attach a nozzle at the end of the hose. This can actually help remove dirt and debris much better.
Next, prepare the bucket and then fill it with warm water. Make it look sudsy by adding enough soap on the water. Get one of the terrycloth rags and saturate it with the soapy water. Use it then by rubbing it against the surface of the wheels. Slowly clean them one at a time. Try to take out all the debris and dust. For hard-to-reach crevices, you can use a brush with a relatively long handle enough to reach these spots. Never use a brush that is too abrasive because it can actually cause damage to the mag wheels.
For best results, it is good to use aluminum cleaner on your mag wheels. If your wheels are made up of other metals such as chrome, use the appropriate type of cleaner in order to achieve a highly desirable result. For aluminum, one of the trusted products available today is Mother’s Wheel Mist All Wheel. The wheels look better if they are shiny. In order to do this, remove the tires and then clean their backsides as well. Before putting back the tires after cleaning, allow them to dry off completely.
Additional Tips and Other Helpful Information
For aluminum mag wheels, constant maintenance is required, mainly because they have the natural tendency to turn gray quickly due to oxidation. Never use cleaners with ammonia as ingredient because they can lead to spotting.