Our car’s image reflects ourselves. Therefore, you need to take good care of your car to keep it in tiptop condition. Chrome wheels are a sight to behold because they look pretty and can add glamour to any car. Pitting is common among chrome wheels mainly when you take them out after the winter. Don’t buy new rims yet, there is a tried and tested solution to repair and clean them to look good as new.
Because your chrome rims are plated and not painted, it can be hard and lengthy to restore them. You cannot strip them as the waste is toxic and regulated. With such a hazard to the environment, re-plating them is not an option either.
Why is Chrome Rims Deteriorating?
When driving, particularly at high speeds, the gravel and sand are kicked by your tires and send them flying to your wheels. These materials can cause small abrasions to the chrome rims, either on the barrel or its face. Sometimes, curb damage is also a culprit because they break the chrome seal.
Another reason can be the movement of your tires on the rims which weakens the bead of the rim over time.
When this process begins, there will be distinct damages on the finish. When the salts at the road are trapped in the rim, and you did not wash them, this salt will eat into the alloy.
If left unattended, pitted rims can become a problem. So, how do you keep the chrome rims clean and protected? Read on the steps in cleaning your pitted rims.
Steps in Cleaning Pitted Chrome Rims
Chrome can pit easily when they are exposed to air. Some chrome items are applied with a clear coating that prevents the oxidizing effect of the oxygen in the air. But this solution is not permanent. The only way is to maintain them.
Step 1: Washing with Soap and Water
Wash the rims with soap and warm water. Rinse them well. Inspect the rims for pitting. If the scratches or pitting is not felt when you run your fingernail over the rim, you can start rubbing them with a 0000 (fine) steel wool. You should rub lightly and in a circular manner until you can see the scratches disappear.
Again, wipe the rim with a damp cloth and let it dry. Wipe it again with the very fine steel wool, but this time it should be wet. This will make the rim shine like new. Wipe with your damp cloth and leave it to dry.
If you can still feel the scratches or the pitting when you run your fingernail over the rims, proceed to step 2. If none, you can skip and proceed to step 6, as the next step.
Step 2: Sanding
When you can still feel the scratches on your chrome rim, start sanding them using 400-grit paper. Sanding should be in a circular pattern until the pitting on the rims is removed. Wipe them again and leave them to dry.
Step 3: More Sanding
This time uses an 800-grit paper to sand over the pitting. It must be done in a circular pattern and with less pressure. The sanding will continue until all the pits and scratches disappear. Then wipe it with a damp cloth and pat the rim dry.
Step 4: And More Sanding
After much sanding, you must sand it one more time using a 1000-grit paper to remove the signs of pitting completely. Do this in a circular motion and wipe with a damp cloth and then pat to dry. Rub it with fine steel wool to remove the tiny scratches that the 1000-grit paper did not.
Step 5: Rub with Steel Wool
Dip a small piece of very fine (0000) steel wool in water and rub it briskly over the rims in a circular motion. Do this repeatedly until the rims shine like new. Then wipe it gently and let it dry.
Step 6: Sealing It
You need to put eye protection and a breathing mask in this step. Do this in a well-ventilated area too. Spray a light coating of lacquer into the rims. Allow them to dry according to the directions in the can. After drying, rub it gently with fine steel wool and dry. Put a second coating of lacquer and allow your rims to dry.
Conclusion
Despite its drawbacks, chrome rims are beautiful. So how to clean chrome rims that are pitted? The key to ensuring a longer-lasting rim is to clean it regularly with soap and water and rinse. Do these more often during winter because there are plenty of salt and chemicals that can speed their deterioration.