How to Clean Aluminum Rims With Oven Cleaner and Make Them Shine

Owning a car is a luxury these days. Aside from the needs of a car, it is also a hard job to maintain your favorite vehicle.

Keeping an eye on your seats, accidental dents on the streets, kids scratching them, and a whole lot more is exhausting. We can have a whole article about the fuel price and your best way to minimize that.

But what is most important about your car is the rims. Especially if they are aluminum rims. They are shiny, stunning, and gorgeous to look at. It’s like one of the most attractive features of your car.

And also, perhaps the worst part. Because they are the support to move your car around and about. This makes them dirty. And by dirty I mean knee-deep dirty sometimes. And aluminum rims are the worst to get dirt on.

So what do you do to make them look shiny again? We will tell you how to clean aluminum rims with oven cleaner in this article. Yes, you heard it, your good old oven cleaner can also clean your dirty rims.

How to Clean Aluminum Rims With Oven Cleaner | 5 Steps

To clean your aluminum rims, you have to follow some basic steps. But the small details are crucial. One little mistake and you will end up scratching your precious rims. That isn’t anyone’s intention. Also, you will need to make them shine in the end. Here are the steps you need to follow to clean and shine your aluminum rims.

Cleaning Your Aluminum Rims With Oven Cleaner

Oven cleaners are great for the grease and dirt in the oven. They have powerful dissolving qualities and can save your elbow grease by a lot. 

To clean your car rims, on the other hand, you need a different approach than cleaning an oven.

Step 1: Use a hosepipe and rinse your rims thoroughly. Especially the brakes. As they are on the back of the rims, the dirt is hard to reach. So using a high-pressure pump helps. But a regular hose pipe will do.

Step 2: After you have done rinsing them, immediately apply the oven cleaner to your rims and brakes. You can use a soft bristle brush to go into the small gaps. And let it sit for a good 30 minutes or so.

Step 3: Start brushing the rims and brakes afterward. Do not rub it with a hard bristle brush as aluminum is prone to scratches. Use a gentle motion and rub on the gaps and remove the dirt. After you are satisfied with it, use hot water to rinse it off.

Step 4: Applying one time might not cut it if the dirt is heavy. You can do the process 2 or 3 times and it will be clear of any dirt. But remember to use hot water as it helps get rid of clingy dirt and mud.

Step 5: When all the dirt is cleaned, give it the final hot water wash off. And you will be left with shining car rims.

Polishing Your Rims Like Brand New

We are not finished yet. After all those oven cleaners and hot water, your rims might start to look a little bit dull. To get the new rim finish, you have to use car polish. Any car body polish will do.

Start by applying the polish gently on the rims. And let it sit for a few minutes till it drys. Use a soft cloth, I repeat, a soft cloth, and start rubbing them. Using any sturdy and rough cloth will develop scratches on your rim.

Do it with the brake too, to make it look extra extravagant. Repeat the process if needed.

In the end, you will have your aluminum rims look brand new. Take a photo of them and admire your hard work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use oven cleaner to clean aluminum wheels?

Yes, you can use oven cleaner to clean aluminum wheels. Matter of fact, they are the best solutions to make them clean thoroughly without any harm to them or you. Rinse the wheels off first with water and then apply the oven cleaner and wait for half an hour and then rinse the wheels with hot water. And use a soft bristle brush to rub the excess dirt off. 

What is the best thing to clean aluminum wheels?

Although you can use oven cleaner to clean your aluminum wheels, you can also use detergent and baking soda solution to clean them. Make an equal part of detergent and water solution. Dip your cleaning sponge in the solution and put on some baking soda on it. And then rub away the dirt. This does work and if you don’t have an oven cleaner lying around, this is the best way to go. 

How do I clean heavily oxidized aluminum wheels?

To clean heavily oxidized aluminum wheels, you will need an equal portion of vinegar and water solution. Rub the solution on the wheels with a sponge or soft cloth. If there is still some large oxidized part that won’t come off, use a solution of cream of tartar and water to create a paste and apply it for 10 minutes. And then rinse it off. This will clean the oxidized aluminum wheels. Don’t forget to apply some polish afterward.

Conclusion

Aluminum rims are sophisticated and prone to scratches. Using the wrong material will not only harm the rims but also compromise their shine. Oven cleaners are the best thing to apply on your rims besides homemade solutions like baking soda, vinegar, and water. Other than this, you can use WD-40 to take off the dirt that doesn’t want to come off easily. And always remember to use a wax-based car polish after cleaning them.