How to Polish Chrome Rims

Author: David Barefield, Jr.

Chrome rims look great when cleaned and can transform your vehicle from normal to eye-catching! Chrome rims are great because they have a mirrored reflective surface that bounces light off of them. So, whether you are driving during the day or at night chrome rims will pull in the light and throw it back out. However, dirty brake dust infected chrome can look very dull and unattractive.    The best way to maintain their shine is by frequent cleanings. Once per week is ideal with a simple solution of soap and water. When cleaning your vehicle you should start by cleaning your tires and rims first! If you decide to clean them last you may contaminate the body of your vehicle with cleaner or dirty water that can dry onto your vehicle's finish.    Following the simple steps below will help you keep them looking new for years to come.       Clean your vehicle by starting with the tires first. For frequent washers you will probably only need your usual soap and water solution. If your tires & rims are extremely dirty, we recommend that you use a product designed for your types of rims or a PH-balanced product that is safe for all types of rims and follow the manufacturer's directions.    Use a plastic or nylon bristled brush for scrubbing your tires. Avoid using brushes or sponges that contain hard materials like metals such as Brillo pads when cleaning your chrome. Using rough materials could scratch and damage the surface of your chrome, white lettered tires, or white wall tires.     Once you have washed your vehicle, tires, and rims the final step is to add a protectant. For your chrome you should use a chrome polish. Do not use regular vehicle wax on your chrome rims.     Add the chrome polish to a soft cloth and gently rub it onto the rims of your vehicle in a circular motion. Allow the polish to dry onto the rims until you see a haze effect. Finally, simply use a separate soft cloth and rub off the haze in a circular motion to add that extra shine that makes your vehicle stand out from the crowd! Once you get the hang of it you will be able to apply the product to more than one rim at a time. Therefore allowing you to buff one while the others are hazing over.     Finish off the look by placing tire gel, tire gloss, or tire wax onto your tires.        Note: You can also use the same chrome polish to polish other chrome on your vehicle such as chrome bumpers, chrome side mirrors, chrome door handles, etc.