Aluminium is a versatile material that is used in the making of cooking pans to wheels of various vehicles. It has better thermal conductivity, and it’s cheaper than steel, so this is the reason its getting popularity among other materials.
Aluminium tends to oxidize over time, that the material accumulates a chalky, grey cast over its surface. There are a number of ways to remove it. Begin by cleaning and scrubbing the Aluminium to remove any debris from the surface then clean the aluminium with acidic cleaners to get rid of the oxidation.
Rinse the aluminium surface. Begin the process of cleaning oxidized Aluminium by rinsing the aluminium to remove surface dust or debris.
5 Easy Ways for Cleaning Aluminium Wheels
Use vinegar for cleaning:
For cleaning an aluminium wheel, soak a cloth in vinegar, then wipe it across the oxidation thoroughly. Scrub the area with a soft-bristled brush. Wipe away the vinegar and lifted oxidation with a damp cloth.
Don’t use abrasive materials like steel wool or sandpaper to scrub the surface of the aluminium. This can scrape away oxidation, but it will also scratch the surface and make oxidation more robust to remove next time.
Expert Trick: Try scrubbing with a sponge, soaked in a mixture of baking soda and water without much force.
Use lemon juice for cleaning:
Lemons are known as the best stain remover. You can do the same cleaning process as you did with vinegar, this time with lemon juice. Dip the lemon slice in salt to add abrasiveness to your cleaner if you are cleaning a particularly tough patch.
Lemon juice alone may remove stains, but the soda provides another suitable abrasive for tough cleaning. Use a soft scrubber or a stiff brush to remove stubborn spots and rinse with clean water.
Clean with cream of tartar:
Use the same method as you used with lemon and vinegar for the cream of tartar to clean off the oxidation. Wet a cloth to clean the wheel.
Apply a small amount of cream of tartar to the fabric and rub the cloth over the surface thoroughly. Then rub away the cream of tartar with a soft-bristled brush to get desired results.
Using Commercial Cleaning Products
Apply aluminium cleaners:
There are many cleaners made explicitly for cleaning aluminium. You can use a commercial cleaner after you have cleaned as much oxidization as you can from the above methods. Put on gloves and apply the commercial aluminium cleaner according to its instructions given on the package.
Warning: Many commercial cleaners contain ammonia, trisodium phosphate and other chemicals that can harm aluminium, so choose carefully.
Apply wax after cleaning:
To prevent oxidation in the future, you can coat it with automotive wax after cleaning.
WD-40: Harsh elements of road tar and sticky substances can be released with WD-40. Spray the WD-40 and scrub with a scrubber or brush. Rinse with water to remove the WD-40 from the rim, the tire, and the roadway, as it may be slick, so it’s better to remove it properly.