How To Protect The Wheels On Your New Vehicle
The wheels on your vehicle are one of the parts most exposed to dirt, debris, and elements. So if you’ve got a new car, it’s worth the extra effort to protect its wheels.
Your Wheels’ Most Common Enemies
Your wheels’ archenemies are ready to wreak havoc on them. It’s up to you to guard your wheels against them. So what should you watch out for?
- Road salt
- Causes corrosion, especially on chrome plated wheels
- Curbs
- Can scrape up your wheels if you parallel park or otherwise drive too close to them
- Rocks
- If you drive off-road, rocks can do a number on your wheels
Luckily, there are ways to avoid or combat those common enemies:
1. Wash Your Wheels Every Other Week In Winter
When road salt mixes with water, it turns into salt water. It will splash on your wheels and stay there until you wash it off. The longer salt water stays on your wheels, the more it eats away at the metal. Keep your wheels salt free by washing them every other week as long as the roads are covered in salt.
Not up to this task? Try this solution instead…
2. Designate A Set Of Used Rims For Winter Use
Before winter hits, switch to a set of used rims you don’t particularly care for. This way, you don’t have to worry about cleaning your wheels all winter. Just let the road salt destroy ’em! You’ve get a set of good wheels sitting in your garage, safe and sound.
You can do this while switching to snow tires. This way, you can keep the “bad” rims with your snow tires, and the good rims with your summer tires. This makes switching between both sets of tires super easy.
3. Use A Soft Bristle Brush When Cleaning Your Wheels
Need to clean your wheels? Ditch the steel wool and use a soft bristle brush instead! Soft bristle brushes are your wheels’ friends.
Steel wool is great for tackling stubborn grime, brake dust, or tar, though. This doesn’t mean you have to resort to subjecting your wheels to those destructive little devils. Instead, you can use a regular cloth with wheel cleaner. Be sure to use a wheel cleaner made specifically for your type of wheel. This is important because the wrong type of wheel cleaner can ruin your wheels.
4. Install All-Fit Rim Trim On Your Wheels
All-Fit Rim Trim is a curb’s worst enemy! Apply these durable rubber strips to your rims, and almost no curb can scrape them up. All-Fit Rim Trim also improves the way your wheels look. This product comes in a variety of fun colors, as well as subtle colors.
5. Apply Wheel Sealant To Your Wheels
Wheel sealant is similar to car wax. It’s a great way to add another clear layer to your wheels. This will keep the metal safe from road salt, brake dust, and other impurities.