As we have stressed time and again, regular maintenance of your used car in Abu Dhabi is crucial to make sure that it retains its value. One of the things you might have overlooked is corroded aluminium wheels. However, the good news is that removing corrosion from wheels is a relatively straightforward process and you can do it on your own.
If your wheels have gritty spots and the surface seems pitted, chances are corrosion has occurred. Another telltale sign is that the wheels look white and rough. The experts at CarSwitch.com have compiled this guide to help you keep your aluminium wheels clean and shiny.
Start with basic cleaning
The removal of corrosion from aluminium wheels is no rocket science. That said, there is surely a way to it, and you can’t just randomly clean the wheels to get the job done. First things first, take a hose, and splash a generous amount of water on the tires to get started. Use a liquid detergent to coat the surface of the wheel. Let it sit for around 5 minutes and then use the hose again to rinse it off. Next, get hold of a soft textured piece of cloth to dry off the wheels.
Keep other areas of your vehicle protected while cleaning
At this stage, you will see the top layer of dust and debris coming off. Getting rid of the corrosion requires a bit of elbow grease. Get some painter’s masking tape and a few sheets of plastic to cover up the areas of your car that are painted. This precautionary measure will keep the other parts of your car safe during the cleaning process. Then take an electronic cleaner, such as an oven cleaner, and spritz it on the surface of the wheels. After that, take a dishwashing scrub or a Teflon-safe brush to clean the wheels. Use hot water to rinse the wheels and use a cotton rag or a terry wipe to dry them off.
Finish up
Unless there is a lot of deposit on your wheels, you will not have to repeat the aforementioned process. After that, use an aluminium brightener to polish the wheels and then apply some car wax. At this stage, your wheels should look nice and clean, but if they don’t, despair not, and start investigating for any pitted spots. You can use 400-grit sandpaper for such surfaces. This can be done manually or with a sanding wheel. If the area is small, your hands will be enough for the job. However, if the spots are large, you will likely need a sanding wheel. Once you are done, you will notice that the aluminium surface looks brighter and there is no corrosive matter.
After that, wash the wheels with water and then use an aluminium brightener to polish them. To prevent oxidation, use a thin layer of car wax to coat the wheels.If you want to buy a used car in Abu Dhabi, you can do so easily through CarSwitch.com today. Happy shopping!
