Many vehicle owners go for chrome wheels in many cases as these add immensely to the overall look and appearance of a vehicle. Chrome wheels are surefire method of adding some glamour and appeal to your car as a whole. Manufacturers often provide chrome wheels as optional accessories with many vehicles. Many car owners often purchase chrome wheels from the aftermarket too. Chrome has many benefits in comparison to aluminum or steel. What are these benefits? Chrome possesses ample resistance to rust and corrosion and no hubcaps are required for the same. They can be used almost anywhere and at any temperatures. The bright shine and polish of chrome renders it attractive to onlookers and aesthetics are combined with functionality to heighten the car usage experience.

Chrome is not a structural base in its own right; it is mainly crafted from either aluminum or steel with electroplated chromium layers on the same. This is a hard and tough coating and increases the durability of your wheels. The shine of your wheels is retained for a long period of time if you take care of the same in a dedicated and sincere manner. Chrome is vulnerable to accumulating dirt and grime if you do not endeavor to keep it clean. This leads to rusting which damages these wheels in the long run. All you need is essential items like wheel wax, a wheel cleaner and some much needed chrome polish. In climates that are normal and seamless, your chrome wheels should be maintained at least once every month. In case you live in areas where climates are harsh you should increase the maintenance schedule. You can find maintenance items online and at dealerships, service stores and garages. Chrome last for decades altogether if you care for it properly. Durability is ensured through the process of electroplating and this also ensures resistance to rust in the beginning. You should follow a simple regime of polishing and washing to keep your chrome wheels shining and looking bright for many years down the line.

There are many reasons for damages to chrome. These include brake dust which is generated out of the rotors, brake pads and also the car engine. Brake dust is not liked owing to aesthetic reasons and it makes a vehicle very dirty at times. There are ferrous particles contained in brake dust sometimes and this can corrode your chrome wheels in case they have not been polished adequately as ferrous dust mixes with moisture quite easily. Salt from the roads is another cause of chrome damage. Salt is often added to roads in cooler climes to enhance traction and this is kicked up by the frequent passage of cars and generates an abrasive residue of sorts. Polishing and cleaning will combat salt based damage to chrome.

Your maintenance regime should be regular and sincere as mentioned earlier. Waxing and polishing will enable you to keep chrome cleaner in the long run. Alongside, regular maintenance will help you avoid the frequent trips to the service station or the garage. Re-chroming can also be an expensive proposition, one that you should avoid in all likelihood with regular maintenance. You should also be alert before winter sets in and if chrome is amply waxed before winter, you can be less worried about any damages. Chrome has to be cleaned and rinsed regularly in order to keep salt and brake dust residues at bay. Once these accumulate, cleaning chrome wheels can be a very torrid affair indeed. Rinsing of chrome wheels is highly recommended every time the car travels through snow, sand filled or salted roads and even dusty roads. Rinsing can be done with the help of either a nozzle or a pressure hose. This should not be a time consuming affair ideally and if you have polished your wheels properly, it should be a breeze. This is because polished wheels do not accumulate much dirt and this will save you loads of time in the bargain. You should also wash your car wheels extensively after rinsing is completed. There are a plethora of cleaners available in the market for this purpose and there are specialized products which generate fast and effective results as well.

These products are the best bet when it comes to getting rid of residues that are stubborn and hard to clean. Alongside, you can also use a combination of arm water and liquid soap that is non acidic for chrome cleaning. You have to use a brush with soft bristles to scrub your car wheels and this is important as metal or hard brushes can end up scratching the overall chrome polish. Always brush your wheels in a circular motion with special emphasis on the inner crevices of the wheels and areas that look soiled. Washing the innards of chrome wheels will add immensely to their overall appearance. The wheels have to be rinsed with plain water after washing concludes and make sure that all the soup is thoroughly rinsed off in this regard. Drying with a cotton towel or cloth is also a must at the end. You can use air drying methods but these will only lead to water spots. Drive only when your wheels have totally dried off as dust and grime will accumulate again otherwise.

If you are a fastidious car owner, you can opt for detailing clay which removes all those little particles and contaminants that are usually missed out in regular washing and cleaning procedures. Detailing clay should only be used by spraying clay lubricants on dry and clean chrome wheels. Thereafter, you can apply the clay over wheel areas. After claying is completed, use a clay lubricant to clean your wheels. You should polish your wheels once a month as mentioned earlier. Chrome can be polished with polishes available in the mainstream automobile service market. However, check the suitability of a particular brand before using it for your car. There are specific directions for metal polish which should be scrutinized very carefully before starting the procedure. Coat your wheels in wax thereafter to give them long lasting shine and brightness!