Aluminum rims are definitely very nice to have on your car or bike. They look nice, they are shiny, and they are really durable too. However, aluminum rims, due to their shiny silver nature, do get dirty very fast. Of course, none of us want to drive around with grimy rims. So, how do you clean them? There are many chemical and professional products which can clean them, but they tend to be expensive and they can do some serious damage too. How to clean aluminum rims with household products is what we are here to talk about today. Let’s try to save you some time, hassle, and money right now.
Cola
One of the best ways to clean aluminum rims with a household product that we all have is cola or soda, whatever you want to call it. Soda has a lot of acid in it which has the ability to remove dirt and rust with ease. Moreover, the carbonation, which are the bubbles, also help to remove grime and grit. Simply use a towel soaked in cola to get the job done. You will probably want to wash the rims with water afterwards do get rid of any sticky residue, or else dirt will just stick right back to the rims real fast.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is another great way to get stains and dirt off of aluminum rims. It is acidic, just like cola, and acid is great for getting rid of stuck on grime and tough stains. Soak a rag in lemon juice or use a scrubbing pad with lemon juice to scrub away hard to get stains and spots. The acid should be more than enough to get the job done. This comes with the added benefit of being able to remove rust. Remember to wash the rims off afterwards so they are not sticky.
>>>If you’re dealing with painted rims you might want to check this top wheel waxes guide
Soda & Lemon Juice
Just like the previous point, here you are going to use soda to clean your aluminum rims. Yes, like we mentioned, both the acidity of the cola as well as the carbonation will help to remove stains. However, here you are going to add some lemon juice into the mix. The added acidity from the lemon juice will help remove really stubborn stains better than lemon juice or cola alone. Use a stiff brush of sorts to remove hard to get spots. Make sure to wash the rims off with water once you are done to avoid stickiness.
Cream of Tartar
Cream of tartar contains a chemical compound known as Potassium bitartrate. Cream of tartar is used for cooking, but can definitely be used for cleaning aluminum rims too. Make thick paste using cream of tartar and some water. Apply this paste very generously to the aluminum rims. Use a scrubbing brush or scouring pad to remove spots and stains. For some added strength, you could mix the tartar with some cola and/or lemon juice. Once again, be sure to wash it off with water when you are done scrubbing.
WD 40
If you happen to have some WD 40 or some other anti-rusting agent lying around the home, it will work too. DW 40 has the ability to clean away rust, corrosion, and stains of all sorts. At the same time, it will also help to shine and polish your aluminum rims. Most people have WD 40 or something similar lying around the home.
Dish Detergent & Baking Soda
If you have really dirty aluminum rims and need to get them clean ASAP, using a degreasing dish detergent in combination with baking soda should do the trick. Start off by applying the dish detergent to the rims. Make sure to add some water to the mix to get those suds going. Use a pad or brush to do some preliminary scrubbing. After this, with the solution still on the rims, sprinkle a fair amount of baking soda on them. This will provide you with an abrasive substance, and when you scrub with a pad, should remove all manner of grease, rust, and stains.
Conclusion
How to clean aluminum rims with household products is something that we are often asked. Well, the above options are by far the best way to go. They are quick, easy, inexpensive, and effective, so give them a try!