John Craddock Ltd Magazine (December 2020)
Alloy wheels are very much favoured for their aesthetics. When it comes to performance, the lightweight nature of these kinds of 4×4 wheels have the potential to supercharge off-road adventures. However, many drivers favour alloy wheels for the way they look. Many different types from big name brands, including Kahn Design, are available in a wide range of colours and finishes to coordinate vehicle types and styles.
If you’re a big fan of hitting the trails and getting stuck in the mud, you may find that your alloy wheels get grubby quite quickly. From mud to dust from the brakes, all manner of unsightly materials can sully your alloy wheels when you’re out and about. What’s more, the heat generated by the brakes and tyres can bake on these stubborn marks and make them tricky to remove without the risk of leaving scratches.
To help you comprehensively clean your alloy wheels, we’ve put together a quick guide for cleaning them in readiness for your next trip!
How To Clean Alloy Wheels
Invest In An Alloy Wheel Cleaner
If you’re cleaning your 4×4 alloy wheels along with the rest of your vehicle, it may be tempting to use regular car shampoo to save time. This will work to remove surface dirt and grime, however it won’t be strong enough to remove ingrained and baked on dirt that is likely to build up on your alloys. For the best results, we recommend that you invest in an alloy wheel cleaner.
Use A Pressure Washer
Pressure washers are a quick and easy way to remove dirt and grime from alloy wheels. Before applying alloy wheel cleaner, simply fire it up and watch as all the surface dust and brake dust washes away. If you’re concerned about chipping your paintwork or ruining your tyres, choose a pressure washer with variable jet nozzle settings. This will allow you to vary the pressure of the water on different parts of your vehicle to avoid damage. Some pressure washers are also compatible with different nozzle attachments which can be used safely on cars, too!
Follow The Instructions
If you’ve invested in a specialist alloy wheel cleaner, check the instructions to find out how long you should leave the solution on your wheels. This is usually around five minutes, but it can vary from brand to brand. It’s important that you leave the cleaner on your alloys for the allotted time to let it do its things. These sorts of cleaners are designed to remove tough, ingrained dirt, so sit back and let the magic happen before you rinse it off.
Apply Wheel Wax
After you’ve rinsed off the alloy cleaner and allowed them to dry completely, we’d recommend applying an alloy wheel wax to protect them moving forwards. Not only will an application of wax make your wheels look shiny and new again, it’ll also stop brake dust from sticking in the future. Using wheel wax will also mean you don’t have to worry about scrubbing your wheels every week to clean off ingrained dirt as the wax will do some of the leg work for you.
Land Rover Alloy Wheels From John Craddock
If you’re considering alloy wheels for your Land Rover Discovery, Defender, or Range Rover Sport, we stock a wide range from big name global brands. Here on our website you will discover a fantastic selection of alloy wheels to help you kit out your vehicle with the best 4×4 wheels on the market. To find out more, check out the Land Rover wheels for sale section of our website today, or contact us today to speak to our team.
As 2020 draws to a close, check out our articles to kick-start your off-roading in the new year in style!
