A corroded alloy wheel can ruin the whole look of your car, and if left untreated it can cause permanent damage to your wheels.
Thankfully, you can remove light to medium corrosion yourself relatively easily. For heavy corrosion, or if you want to guarantee a quality finish, you may want to get your wheels professionally repaired.
To get a quote from the best alloy wheel refurbishment service in your area, just enter your car registration number here or click on Free Quote above.
To learn about the best alloy wheel cleaners for removing corrosion check out our Top 10 Alloy Wheel Cleaners in 2020
How To Remove Corrosion From An Alloy Wheel
Step 1. Give your wheel a good wash with your hose.
Wash the whole wheel, including around the barrel. This should clear away any dirt and brake dust. Make sure you maximise the pressure of your hose, either by using an adjustable nozzle, your thumb, or ideally by purchasing a proper high pressure hose attachment – you’ll get many years of use out of it and a far deeper clean every time!
Step 2. Use a soft microfibre cloth to dry the wheel.
Letting your wheel air dry can leave water marks or spots on it, so instead use a soft microfibre cloth and scrub the wheel in small circular motions until it is completely dry. It’s a good idea to keep dedicated cloths for drying only and to keep them as clean as possible.
Step 3. Apply the right alloy wheel cleaner or aluminium polish cleaner to remove the oxidation.
To learn about the best alloy wheel cleaners for removing corrosion check out our Top 10 Alloy Wheel Cleaners in 2020
Apply the product liberally to the corroded area and leave for 10 minutes. After the cleaner has had enough time to work, use a soft detailing brush to remove the oxidation by applying pressure and scrubbing in a circular motion.
Step 4. Use 40-60 grit sandpaper to tackle any remaining corrosion.
If there are any tough areas of oxidation left over, soak them in water and then use 40-60 grit sandpaper to tackle them. Wrap your sandpaper around a wooden block to get an adequate purchase, and then rub the sandpaper from side to side along the corroded area using as much pressure as possible.
Step 5. Use 240-400 grit sandpaper to touch up and smooth the surface.
As the pitting fades, work your way through finer sandpaper, starting at 240 grit and working finishing with 400 grit. Apply pressure and work the surface until pitting disappears or fades as much as possible.
Step 6. Protect the area from future corrosion by applying wheel wax.
Work your wheel wax over the repaired area in small circular motions, until it turns clear. If you notice any streaks or residue then keep working it. It may be possible to use a microfibre cloth, but ideally you should purchase a car polishing pad for best results.
You may want to apply some sealant after your repair, to protect your alloy wheel. See our article How to Clean Alloy Wheels to learn how to use wheel sealant on your alloys.
If you’re not happy with the finish of your repair, or if the corrosion is to heavy for this method then you may need a professional repair. Just enter your car registration number below and we’ll send you a quote from the best wheel repair service near you.
Looking for an alloy wheel repair service near you? Get your FREE quote from a pre-approved, local alloy wheel refurbishment specialist today. Just enter your car registration number below and answer a few quick questions. Wheel do the rest for you!
