Maintenance Methods

Aluminum alloy wheels have gained increasing popularity among private car owners due to their elegant appearance, safety, and comfort. Almost all new car models are equipped with aluminum alloy wheels, and many car owners also replace the original steel wheels of their vehicles with aluminum alloy ones.

Here, we introduce the maintenance methods for aluminum alloy wheels:

1. When the wheels are hot, allow them to cool down naturally before cleaning. Never clean them with cold water. Otherwise, the aluminum alloy wheels may be damaged, and even the brake discs may become deformed, affecting braking performance. In addition, cleaning aluminum alloy wheels with detergent when they are hot can cause a chemical reaction on the wheel surface, leading to loss of luster and poor appearance.

2. If there is hard-to-remove tar on the wheels and regular detergents do not work, try removing it with a brush. Here, we recommend a home remedy for tar removal to private car owners: use medicinal "Huoluoyou" (a traditional Chinese medicinal oil for relieving muscle pain) to wipe the affected area. It can yield unexpected results, so you may give it a try.

3. If the vehicle is parked in a humid area, clean the wheels frequently to prevent salt from corroding the aluminum surface.

4. If necessary, after cleaning the wheels thoroughly, you can apply wax to maintain them, keeping their luster long-lasting.

Repair Methods

When there are stubborn stains on the wheel surface, use a professional cleaning agent. Such cleaners can usually remove stains gently and effectively, minimizing damage to the aluminum alloy surface. In addition, wheels have a built-in metal protective layer, so special care must be taken not to use paint polish or other abrasive materials during cleaning. Also, drive carefully to avoid "hard damage" to the wheels caused by scratches or scrapes. Once there are scratches or deformation, repair and repaint the wheels as soon as possible.

So, how to repair scratches? The specific repair process involves six steps:

Step 1: Inspect the scratch. If it does not reach the inner side of the wheel, it can be repaired simply. Use paint thinner to wipe the area around the scratch and remove dirt.

Step 2: Dirt in the deepest part of the scratch is hard to remove—use a toothpick to clean it thoroughly.

Step 3: To prevent accidentally applying paint to unrelated areas, carefully stick masking tape around the scratch.

Step 4: Prepare a fine-tipped brush and apply touch-up paint to the scratch.

Step 5: After painting, wait for the paint to dry completely, then use water-resistant sandpaper dipped in soapy water to smooth the surface.

Step 6: After sanding with water-resistant sandpaper, use a polishing compound to restore the luster, then apply wax. For deeper scratches, the key is to check if the metal underlayer is exposed. If no metal is visible, the wheel will not rust, and you can focus on applying touch-up paint—dab it bit by bit with the brush tip and wait for it to dry completely.

To avoid such damage, clean the wheels frequently when the car is newly used. For vehicles driven daily, clean the wheels at least once a week: first rinse them with clean water, then scrub with a sponge and cleaning agent, and finally rinse thoroughly with plenty of clean water.

Daily maintenance is also essential. When the wheels are hot, allow them to cool down naturally before cleaning—never use cold water. Otherwise, the aluminum alloy wheels may be damaged, and even the brake discs may become deformed, affecting braking performance.

In addition, cleaning aluminum alloy wheels with detergent when they are hot can cause a chemical reaction on the wheel surface, leading to loss of luster and poor appearance.

If there is hard-to-remove tar on the wheels and regular detergents do not work, try removing it with a brush. Do not use overly hard brushes, especially wire brushes, to avoid scratching the wheel surface. Experts have introduced a home remedy for tar removal: use medicinal "Huoluoyou" to wipe the area, which can yield unexpected results—car owners may give it a try. Furthermore, if the vehicle is parked near the coast, clean the wheels frequently to prevent salt from corroding the aluminum surface.