How to Remove Rust from Alloy Wheels | Step by Step

Alloy wheels are a very common type of wheel that you will often see in all types of cars. The most notable feature of this is that they are long-lasting and durable. However, even if they are durable, it is important to clean them regularly so that they can prevent harmful corrosion.

If it is considered from a technical point of view, it must be said that it is not rust. Corrosion occurs if not cleaned regularly but you cannot adjust it to rust. Alloy wheels have a protective finish which makes them resistant to corrosion. However, if you leave them without cleaning them for a long time, grease and rust can form.

There are several commercial or household cleaning solutions available to prevent or align your alloy wheels. By using those cleaning items you will be able to clean them better. But do you know how to remove rust from alloy wheels? If you don’t know then this article is for you. In this article we will try to discuss what alloy wheels are, its types and how to remove rust. So let’s get started.

What are Alloy Wheels?

You may be a little surprised to hear the name “Alloy Wheels” and wonder what it is. Alloys are formed by a mixture of two or more metals. This means that steel itself is an alloy because steel is a combination of at least two elements: one metallic and the other metallic.

Most cars built today come with standard aloe wheels. These are also called aluminum wheels, which are made from a mixture of aluminum and nickel.

They are more attractive to the eye than steel wheels but more lightweight yet stiff and durable. Low weight means less suspension, better acceleration, and higher fuel economy in your car.

Types of Alloy Wheels

There are two types of Alloy Wheels. One is the cast aluminum wheel and the other is the billet aluminum wheel. Cast aluminum wheels are made by pouring molten aluminum into a mold. Billet aluminum wheels, on the other hand, are made from the hardest part of aluminum.

When you clean and polish aloe wheels keep in mind that they can be polished with cast wheels but you can never shine them like chrome, so don’t try. Billet wheels can be polished to look like chrome, in contrast.

Steps to Remove Rust from Alloy Wheels

Although removing rust from alloy wheels is not a very difficult task. But if you don’t know how to do it then our guideline will be helpful for you. We will now try to highlight the step by step here how to remove rust from alloy wheels.

1. Rinse the Wheels

First, wash your wheels with a hose to remove loose dirt and brake dust. Be sure to wash each part, including the inner surface around the barrel. Use a regular nozzle to remove stuck debris with a high-pressure stream. If you don’t have a compatible nozzle or pressure attachment, pinch the hose opening to create a stronger, more concentrated stream.

2. Soak It

If your wheels have plastic hub covers, remove them before performing this task. Spray a generous amount of your chosen cleaning products all over the wheel, spray extra on stubborn areas. Let the cleaner soak for at least 2-3 minutes so that it is time to enter the cackled ingredients. It will be scrubbed more easily later.

3. Scrub

After wetting, first deal with the least stained wheels and then leave the most troublesome wheels. This will give the deer more wetting time for the wheels. Use a soft bristle brush with a flexible stem to easily scrub each corner of the wheel without scratching the end of the wheel. Reach the mouthpiece to clean each wheel from front to back. Don’t forget the rim screws, where the brakes like to accumulate dust.

4. Wash and remove

Rinse well with your nozzle in wide fan mode for better coverage. Make sure there is no cleaner to avoid dry residue and potential corrosion. Then wipe the dry wheels with a soft microfiber cloth to avoid water stains and small scratches on the wheels.

5. Wax

Applying a sealant will give your wheels a shiny and decent look. More importantly, sealants designed specifically for alloy wheels will provide an extra protective barrier that will make your wheels harder for dirt, dust, and debris to get stuck.

Which Cleaning Products Are Useful to Clean Alloy Wheels

You will find several cleaning solutions on the market that will help you to remove dirt or rust from Alloy Wheels. However, there are some cleaning items that can give you the most benefits. Here we will try to discuss about two cleaning items. One is vinegar and the other is oven cleaner.

Vinegar and hot water

Vinegar is a cleansing solution with natural acids that can deal with many stubborn substances but there is no harm if you touch or smell it. Dissolve one bucket of some white vinegar in hot water as your cleaning solution.

If your alloy wheels aren’t horribly stained, you can use this simple home remedy. However, do not use vinegar on coated and polished aloe vera. As mentioned above, do not use acidic cleaners on alloy wheels.

Oven cleaner

Do you need something that is stronger than vinegar? You can easily take oven cleaner. It can probably be found in your home. The oven cleaner can cut through stubborn mineral stains, grease, and rust in a few minutes.

Final Thoughts

Is it very difficult to remove rust from alloy wheels? Obviously not. We have tried to discuss in detail how to remove rust from alloy wheels in our article. Also, we try to describe what is alloy wheels and their types. Hopefully, with this small effort, you will be able to easily remove rust or any other powerful dirt from your alloy wheels.

If you want to know more about alloy wheels, you can comment to us. We will try to answer. Thank you all.