How to clean motorcycle aluminum wheels?

August 23, 2022

How to clean motorcycle aluminum wheels?

Although a tedious task to some, bike maintenance is paramount when owning a motorcycle. Something you should be cleaning after every ride are your wheels. Tyres, and Rims make the first contact with whatever surface you're riding on and cop the brunt of dirt, mud, sand and anything else you throw at it. 

So to make sure you’re getting the most out of your wheels we’ve created a step by step to make sure you’re cleaning them the best way possible so the next time you’re bush bashing or hitting the tracks, your wheels are performing at their best! 

Why is cleaning your motorcycle’s aluminum wheels important?

Like any other vehicle, motorcycle wheels can be vulnerable if not taken care of. Cleaning the wheels of your motorcycle removes the dust and dirt on your rims. Continuous collection/build up of dirt/mud etc, has the capacity to corrode your wheels. Every time you ride, dust and dirt gathers on the brakes, wheel bearings etc, and can only be removed with some TLC and elbow grease! 

What you will need to clean your aluminum wheels

Before taking care of your motorcycle wheels, keep the following items on hand. Here’s your list of equipment for a start-to-finish aluminum wheel cleaning job.

Steel Wool - used for scrubbing and polishing the wheels.

Metal Polish - restores aluminum wheel’s surfaces to their original finish and protects them with a layer of wax. 

Microfiber Towel - you will use a couple of microfiber cloths for drying and buffing the wheels.

Clean Rag - used for wiping excess dirt, cleaner, and spills.

Mag & Aluminum Polish - quickly cleanes and improves the appearance of aluminum wheels. Use a product that is specifically formulated for use on aluminum. It is designed to strip away grime, stains and oxidation without harming the metal.

Steps in cleaning motorcycle aluminum wheels:

Before you start cleaning your aluminum wheels, choose a place that has shade. The sun’s heat can damage your motorcycle wheel’s paint. Wear safety hand gloves whilst cleaning and polishing your motorcycle, your bare hands can be easily burned or damaged in case of acid spills and other mishaps..  

Whatever you need to use, you should make sure it goes with your aluminum wheels. 

Wash off the wheels

Use a water hose to deliver a strong stream of water. Clean between spokes, the brake calipers, behind the wheels, up into every little crevice. Make sure to remove the brake dust. The dust causes damage to your aluminum rims and other wheel parts. 

De-grease and remove debris

Spray the wheel generously with cleaner. Use your soft bristle brush to scrub all the surfaces you can reach. Use a small brush for the narrow crevices. Rinse thoroughly and dry off with a clean microfiber towel. If there is still some hard dirt stuck to the surface, scrub your wheels thoroughly with soap. But don’t scrub too hard on clear-coated wheels, even with soft brushes. Instead you can use detailing clay to clean hard to reach areas. Finally, rinse the wheels to completely wash everything off. Make sure to clean the wheels first as  dirty wheels can result in scratches. 

Apply cream to the spokes of the wheels

Rub the spokes with cream to clean the grime and dirt. Take some cream and rub the cream with your fingers over the spokes. Using an autosol mixed rag, rub the spokes to clean the dirt and grimes. Once the back part of the spokes is cleaned, rub the front part of the spokes. After cleaning the spokes, your motorcycle aluminum wheels are now ready to be polished.

Clean and polish the wheels

Clean and polish the aluminum with an aluminum-safe wheel cleaner. Pay special attention to what products you’re buying and if they match the surface you polish. Other wheel cleaners contain harmful chemicals that may damage the finish of your aluminum wheels. When you’re done, wipe the wheels with a clean microfiber towel and check if it needs additional polishing. A properly polished aluminum will reveal a very reflective, mirror-like finish similar to chrome.

Aluminum is a relatively soft metal that responds well to polishing. Cleaning and polishing your motorcycle aluminum wheel is important in keeping your wheels looking like new. Ready to clean your wheels like a pro? Be sure you have all the products you need, check out our range Motorcycle Cleaners today!