Wheels 101: Caring for Your Pricey Chrome Wheels the Way Professionals do!

When it comes to aftermarket car wheels, styles and trends come and go like the seasons. If hot red is the flavor of the month of January, it might just be flamingo pink or a bright yellow over the next 2 months.

Over the last decades, there has been an invasion by a series of different finishes in gloss and matte.

That said, only 2 finishes have retained the public attention. They are black and chrome.

Ever since the first chrome wheels hit markets worldwide, they have never gone out of circulation. And to be honest, a set of high-end and branded chrome rims are a sight to behold – especially if they are clean and free of any visible dents and other damages.

If you are new to the world of aftermarket and custom wheels, you might be confused by the name ‘chrome wheels.’ Are they really made of chromium?

Not really!

Chromium (shortened to chrome) is a metal. More correctly, it’s what is known as a transition metal. Chromium has various uses, one of them being their widespread popularity in the wheels business.

Chrome is softer and more prone to damage than aluminum, the material used in the construction of off-road wheels among others.

But a set of chrome plated and branded wheels has a charm that is seldom duplicated, if ever.

This is the dilemma: you adore your chrome rims and yet you use them rather roughshod on occasion. But you would like to keep them looking brand new.

The solution is simple: to clean these rims scientifically and follow the directions of professionals who deal with all manners of aftermarket wheels almost every day.

Scroll down as we list out the exact procedure to follow!

How to care for chrome rims

Before we begin, do keep 2 vital points in mind.

One: chrome is a lot more resistant to corrosion than any metal or alloy used in manufacturing car wheels. In fact, stainless steel was first formed by adding a bit of chromium with steel. It got rid of rust and the rest is history.

Two: chromium is electroplated on the surface of your favorite aftermarket rims. This layer is thinner than you can possibly imagine. Therefore, no matter how bright the wheels shine, there’s always an off chance of a dent or distortion.

Cleaning and polishing chrome wheels

These are the steps the pros follow.

1. Keep everything handy: You will require a mild dishwashing liquid (or wheel/tire cleaning detergents from companies like ‘Chemical Guys or ‘Turtle Wax’), a handheld hose with a high-power spraying head, cotton rags, hard and soft-bristled brushes, and a fully absorbent microfiber cloth which must not leave behind streaks.
2. Spray the surface of the rims at high speeds: This step applies to cleaning any type of wheel. Hit the surface pretty hard with the water so that any debris (from nails to chipped rocks) and dirt is thoroughly soaked. Some of the debris gets dislodged too.
3. Use the detergent: It is crucial that you abide by the instructions of the chrome wheels manufacturer’s advice. Do not use too much soap. Just a little should do. Mix it with lukewarm water and rub it with the microfiber cloth thoroughly all over the external surface. 

Do not assert too much pressure during this stage. Wait for 30 minutes and wash off the lather with plain water.

4. Use the brushes to good effect: Now that the dirt is gone, use the hard brushes to clean the outer lip first. Then, use the softer ones (try and buy the ones with longer handles) to reach out inside the spokes and the nut holes. They often accumulate a lot of unseen dirt and even brake dust. 

Pro tip: If you are using a customized rim like Vision Wheel’s American Muscle 57 (this is a chrome rim ideal for long rallies), you must also carefully clear the fine machining and the unique drum that is the hallmark.

5. Rinse the car wheels well: Thorough rinsing is crucial as it often eliminates the last few remaining traces of soapy water and even tough-to-remove stains and debris.

Once a wheel has been rinsed, use the microfiber cloth and vigorously dry the surface. It will not only leave behind the exterior chrome plating shinier, it will also ensure that there are no streaks or nasty spotting that often afflicts DIY methods!

As far as possible, try to dry out the wheel in the daylight. Nothing works better!

Note that this process must be followed without exception for the other wheels too. 

A few last words

We have tried this cleaning technique on a pair of our favorite chrome wheels: the Saber D243 from Fuel Wheels and the 18-inch Enkei TX5. If you follow the instructions above to a tee, you’ll soon witness a remarkable change in the style department.

Note that chrome rims are not advisable for off-roading because of the nature of chromium. If you are itching to purchase a new set of off-road wheels, try and avoid chrome finishes.

That’s about it!