This tip allows you to clean car rims with an inexpensive ingredient known to everyone.
Contrary to popular belief, a car’s rims are not just there to look pretty. Obviously, their graphics give style and assert the character of a vehicle. But the role of rims does not stop at aesthetics, far from it. Attached to the wheel hubs, they hold the tires in place and ensure the transmission of power from the engine to the road. When you accelerate or brake, the rims play a crucial role in transmitting these forces to the tires. The fact remains that their design is an attractive asset for manufacturers who often offer different rims on the same model depending on the finish (and therefore the price).
The problem with rims is that they get dirty very quickly. Brake dust, road dirt, air pollution, particularly exhaust fumes, and weather conditions contribute to the browning of rims, whether they are sheet steel or aluminum. It is possible to clean them with a high pressure jet or by running your car with rollers but this has a cost and the result is not always very satisfactory. To obtain clean rims, the best solution is to clean them by hand to remove all the dirt embedded in each corner. It is true that this requires a little energy but it is possible to save a lot of money by doing it yourself.
Especially if you’re using a product that’s found in just about every home. You may not think about it when you open your fridge, but it is very likely that it contains a liquid that is super effective for cleaning car rims. Most often sold for less than 2 euros in supermarkets, the one and a half liter bottle of Coca-Cola is the inexpensive ingredient validated by many experts to give a second life to your rims. The procedure for washing them is quite simple:
- Start by pouring the famous American soda directly onto the rims then leave to act for a few minutes
- Rub on the most stubborn stains with aluminum foil that you can crumple into a small ball
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove any sugar residue from the soda that could make the rims sticky
- Wipe the rims with a clean, dry cloth to avoid water spots
- Repeat the operation if necessary
The phosphoric acid in Coke will dissolve dirt, grime and brake dust residue left on your car’s rims. This tip should, however, be used occasionally because the acidity of the soda can potentially damage the finish of the rims if you do it too often. It is also recommended to apply a wax after washing to protect the rims and help repel dirt, which will give you a little more time before the next cleaning.