The 10 Best Black Wheel Polishes - Review and Buying Guide in 2023 (2023)

FAQs

What is the best product to clean brake dust off rims? ›

We recommend a decontaminator, such as Sonax Wheel Cleaner. Spray this wheel-specific cleaner on a cool, dry wheel and wait 10 minutes or so. Though the product sprays on clear, its color changes from clear to red as its chemicals interact with the iron molecules in the brake dust.

The product we recommend to our detailers is Americana Breakdown – but you can use a high-quality, pH neutral degreasing spray on your tires and wheels. Spray the degreaser along the entire tire, inside, outside, and the entire tread. Use a tire brush to agitate the degreaser over the entire surface.

One of the best ways to keep your vehicle's rims protected from curb rash is to install wheel rim protectors. Rim protectors are a great product to keep rims safe from damage while also complementing your car's overall look. These products are an easy DIY project, and take little time to install.

Diamond Cut – high shine look commonly used by manufacturers to highlight their top of the range models. Split Rims – often seen on Porsche, BMW and VW, very popular in the custom scene. Chrome – mostly found on classic cars.

Thankfully, Dawn® cleans everything from baked-on to braked on messes. So take a quick pit stop to clean your brake dust and make those tire rims and wheels shine like new.

It's likely your kitchen has products needed to remove your car's baked on brake dust. Commonly owned staples such as soap, vinegar, and baking soda lift off tough grime found on most surfaces.

Does vinegar clean alloy? ›

One of the best approaches is using a mixture of white wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar), soap, and warm water. You can spray this solution directly onto the alloy wheels, leave it for a few minutes, and then wipe it off with a soft cloth. You may find that this removes the dirt.

Secondly, apply the WD-40 Multi-Use Product onto a Cleaning Cloth. Begin to rub the entire surface of the alloy wheel, focus on the areas with remaining stubborn grime or brake dust. Please be advised this should be applied using a cloth to avoid getting any on the wheel or brake pads.

Professional detailers use microfiber towels to wash, dry and even apply wax to your car. This ultra-soft, microfiber material consists of thousands of tiny, highly absorbent fibers that encapsulate dirt and soils to protect your clear coat from scratches and swirls, drawing them away from your car's painted finish.

Microfiber offers maximum results

However, microfiber towels are often the most commonly preferred cloth at professional carwashes when tackling glass cleaning. “Another way to [effectively clean glass] is by using a high-quality microfiber towel.

White vinegar cuts through dirt and oil, and can get rid of streaks, stains and tarnish. Use equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray your rims with it. After a good coating, go in with a clean microfiber cloth and wipe off the solution.

Cleaning matte wheels is pretty much the same as cleaning chrome, metal, or glossy finished wheels. The only main difference is that you want to use a silicone-free wheel cleaner, as silicone tends to make matte surface appear somewhat blotchy and uneven.

When your brake pads heat up, their metallic particles get a static charge as they wear off the surface of the pad. That's how the dark, metallic dust sticks to the wheels, both steel and alloy, as well as other parts of your vehicle. Plus, those petroleum adhesives can turn into a film that hangs on to your wheels.

It can be said that black rims do look absolutely amazing no matter the size of the car. Black wheels are varied enough to fit any vehicle and enhance its overall appearance, contributing to their enduring popularity. They can make cars appear sportier, stronger, or more luxurious.

Black rims on any vehicle screams dark, edgy, sporty and confident. If you're more into the silver and chrome, you definitely express a more luxe lifestyle. Lastly, but absolutely not least, there are multi-colored rims. The full color scale includes reds, blues, purples, yellows and greens.

How do I protect my black rims in the winter? ›

That said, the answer to winter wheel protection is a synthetic wheel sealant. Synthetic oils, unlike carnauba, can form a bond with metal, paint, and powder coating that protects and lasts even at the highest of temperatures because it does not have a melting point.

Rinse the area and dry it thoroughly. Paint the damaged area with a rust-resistant spray paint; once that dries, you can cover it with a coat of silicone-based wheel sealant for extra protection.

Powder coated wheels are very durable and resistant to chemicals, chipping, scratching and fading. Because there are no evaporating solvents used in this process, no holes develop in the finish. This makes powder coating wheels corrosion resistant and great for exposure to the elements.

The colour which boasts unflagging popularity amongst drivers is black, as black wheels look good on almost all light-coloured cars, even if the car body is painted a vibrant colour. Black wheels go very well with silver, yellow, green and red vehicles.

For average to poor condition rims, about a 200 grit will be where you can start. If fairly good, you could start with 300. As you work through, you will use a higher number to finish your project.

Grab the Magic Eraser and firmly swipe along the desired surface. Soon, dirt buildup, residue from your brake pads, scuffs, and road wear and tear will start to virtually disappear. Who knew that cleaning your rims could be so simple?

Use a sponge and a brush to apply soapy water to all 4 wheels, as well as the hubcaps. Scrub all of the wheels and hubcaps with a brush to loosen dirt and grime. Pay close attention to the rims, where most of the brake dust gets lodged. Use a sponge to scrub away all of the grime that was loosened with the brush.

In order to prevent ruining certain surfaces, avoid using brake cleaner on plastics, rubber, and any painted surface that you want to maintain. Protect these surfaces with careful application and small amounts of product at one time.

While it's normal to have a small amount of brake dust on your wheel, excessive brake dust can generate brake noise and limit braking performance. Brake dust can also form on the brake caliper and rotor, resulting in an uneven braking surface that causes vibration and noise.

Choosing the right type of spray-on brake cleaner, matched to the type of rim finish that you're working with, is the best way to protect and extend the life of your wheels. That being said, there are also universal wheel cleaners that are safe to use on any type of rim finish.

Can WD 40 be used to clean brakes? ›

WD-40 has formulated the perfect solution that can dissolve the grime and dirt stuck in your brakes for easy removal.

The best wheel cleaner for painted wheels

We recommend using either AutoSmart Red 7 or TW 39 Degreaser. Both these products will safely break down the grease and lift brake dust from your wheels. These products are non-acidic and also non-abrasive.

Use non-abrasive cleaning agents like dish soap, warm water, and wheel wax. If you're curious about how to clean car tires naturally, try using a 70/30 mix of white vinegar and baking soda.

Leaving vinegar on your wheels can lead to corrosion – which can cause potential safety and mechanical problems down the road. While all the cleaning solutions above work, it will take more of your time to mix and create your product; some more than others.

We recommend a decontaminator, such as Sonax Wheel Cleaner. Spray this wheel-specific cleaner on a cool, dry wheel and wait 10 minutes or so. Though the product sprays on clear, its color changes from clear to red as its chemicals interact with the iron molecules in the brake dust.

Household abrasives like baking soda or toothpaste will scratch the finish of your alloy wheels. So will many other materials. Stay away from steel wool, dish scrubbers, or Scotch Brite pads.

Cleaning matte wheels is pretty much the same as cleaning chrome, metal, or glossy finished wheels. The only main difference is that you want to use a silicone-free wheel cleaner, as silicone tends to make matte surface appear somewhat blotchy and uneven.

Secondly, apply the WD-40 Multi-Use Product onto a Cleaning Cloth. Begin to rub the entire surface of the alloy wheel, focus on the areas with remaining stubborn grime or brake dust. Please be advised this should be applied using a cloth to avoid getting any on the wheel or brake pads.

White vinegar cuts through dirt and oil, and can get rid of streaks, stains and tarnish. Use equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray your rims with it. After a good coating, go in with a clean microfiber cloth and wipe off the solution.

Will vinegar remove brake dust? ›

It's likely your kitchen has products needed to remove your car's baked on brake dust. Commonly owned staples such as soap, vinegar, and baking soda lift off tough grime found on most surfaces.

2. Use a Pressure Washer. Using your pressure washer or hose will remove any surface dirt and brake dust from the alloy wheel before you start the cleaning process.

Since it's a simple process to clean your wheels, it's a good idea to give them a good scrub every time you wash your car. Even if you take your car to a self-service car wash, you can still apply wheel cleaner and give them a brushing before you get to work on the rest of the vehicle.

We would recommend picking up a dedicated wheel cleaner or wheel shampoo for the best possible results; you can use car shampoo or just regular old soap and water, but products specifically designed for use on alloy wheels will by far give you the best clean.