Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

Aluminum rims are a very attractive car accessory, but they can be time consuming to maintain. Discs should be removed from the machine, thoroughly cleaned, checked for scratches, abrasions and erosion, then polished and reinstalled. Clean and polished aluminum rims have a mirror-like shine.

Steps

1. 1 Gather as many terry towels or aluminum discs as possible at each step of the polishing process.
2. 2 Remove the discs from the machine. This will make it easier for you to reach all areas. Also remove the center caps, balance weights, nipple caps, stickers, and anything else that might interfere with the preparation and polishing of your aluminum rims.
3. 3 Use water, car shampoo, and a hard sponge to remove dirt from discs.
   • Rinse the discs thoroughly with water to remove any soap and dirt. If you don't remove them completely, you can rub the dirt into the aluminum surface during the following steps.
4. 4 Apply oven cleaner to the aluminum discs. Let it soak for about 20 minutes.
   • Wipe the discs with a dish brush that can be used for the Teflon coating.
   • Rinse discs thoroughly with water. Reapply if necessary.
5. 5 Check the aluminum rims for chips and scratches that form due to friction against the curb while parking. Remove them carefully with a file.
6. 6 Remove all traces of corrosion on the discs. Use a 400 grit sandpaper or a quality sanding pad. Try doing this in an inconspicuous place first to make sure you can remove any corrosion marks without scratching the discs.
7. 7 Rinse discs with water and dry with a towel.
8. 8 Apply aluminum cleaner to the discs. It will help restore the surface and remove oxide. Wipe the discs with a cloth.
9. 9 Apply polish, which can be liquid or pasty.
   • Rub the polish into the surface. You need to polish the discs with uniform movements in one direction.
   • Use a toothbrush to polish hard-to-reach areas on your discs. To prevent the bristles from damaging the finish, wrap your toothbrush in a soft cloth.
   • Polish small areas of the disc one by one. This allows for the most uniform polish without dark spots on the discs.
10. 10 Apply a finishing polish to the discs.
11. 11 Buff the discs until the cotton cloth you would use to clean them is clean after use. The more you rub the surface, the more shiny the discs will become as a result.
12. 12 Ready.

Tips

• Always remove the tags from the cloth you will be polishing the aluminum discs to avoid scratching.
• Make sure you clean them well.

Warnings

• Never use polishes or polishes containing acids, ammonia or anhydrides on discs. They can age and discolor your aluminum wheels and even damage them. There are many polishes on the market that contain these harmful ingredients. Read the composition of your aluminum polish before buying to make sure it is free of these substances.

What do you need

• Terry towels or rags
• Car shampoo
• Hard lips
• Oven cleaner
• Dish brush
• File
• Skin
• Sanding pad
• Aluminum cleaner
• Aluminum polish
• Toothbrush
• Finishing polish
• Cotton fabric