Aluminum rims are a really attractive accessory for any car, but their maintenance can be time-consuming. The rims must be removed from the car, cleaned thoroughly, examined for scratches or traces of erosion, finally polished and reassembled. When the aluminum rims are perfectly clean and shiny they produce a brilliant mirror effect.
Steps
Step 1. Get an adequate amount of rags and towels, you will need them to clean the rims during the various polishing stages
Also, wash your hands thoroughly after each step of the cleaning process.
Step 2. Remove the rims from the car
This way you can easily reach every part of the rim. Also remove the center hub cap, balance weights, any tire inflation valve guards, stickers, or any other object that could hinder the complete cleaning and polishing of the rim.
Step 3. Remove dirt and dust using water and a specific car soap
Help yourself by using an abrasive sponge.
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Rinse thoroughly with water to remove all traces of soap and grime. Otherwise you could scratch the rims during the polishing phase, due to the residual dirt still present on the surface.
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Step 4. Proceed to a second washing phase by applying a product designed for cleaning the oven
Leave the product to act for about 20 minutes.
- Use a dishwashing sponge, suitable for Teflon pans, to scrub the entire surface of the rims.
- Rinse thoroughly a second time using plenty of water. Repeat this step if necessary to achieve perfect cleaning.
Step 5. Check the rims for scratches caused by surface contact with the pavement during parking
Eliminate them by filing the affected area very carefully. Use a flat file.
Step 6. Eliminate any unevenness from the rim surface
Use a 400-grit sandpaper or as fine a grit as possible. Test the abrasiveness of the paper in a hidden spot to make sure you don't leave any visible marks after removing blemishes.
Step 7. Rinse the rims with water and dry them using towels
Step 8. Apply a cleaning product with a polishing effect to the rims
This will remove the oxidized layer from the aluminum surface. Use a cloth to clean the rims.
Step 9. Apply the polish
You can use it in both liquid and cream form.
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Distribute the polish over the entire surface of the rims. Polish the rims by making linear and gentle movements, always following the same direction.
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Use a toothbrush to polish the hard-to-reach spots on the rims. Wrap the brush head in a soft cloth so the bristles cannot mar the rim finish.
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Focus on polishing a small area at a time, then move to a new portion of the surface. This way you will get a smoother result, avoiding missing some points.
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Step 10. Apply a product for the final polish of the rims
Step 11. Continue polishing the rims until the cotton cloth used remains clean after contact with the aluminum surface
The more you rub the surface of the rims, the shinier they will become.
Step 12. Finished
Advice
- Make sure you do a deep and thorough cleaning.
- Make sure to always remove the labels from the cloths you use for cleaning, you will avoid scratching the aluminum.
