xtreme heat, intense UV, and sand are probably the worst enemies of alloy wheels. Unfortunately, these are the default in Dubai. But the irony is that Dubai is home to the best cars on the planet, and the custom wheels and rims in them make any enthusiast excited. 

But the high temperatures here can degrade protective coatings and speed up corrosion, especially with the sea salt in the air from desalination. As makers of the best forged wheels in the UAE, we’ll give you the most useful practical advice on cleaning and maintaining your alloy wheels in Dubai.

Key Highlights

• Rinse wheels and tires, followed by a dedicated alloy wheel cleaner
• Use soft-bristle brushes and avoid harsh chemicals like vinegar
• Use products like Formula 88 or CarPro IronX to remove stubborn grime
• Refinish damaged wheels professionally or DIY with caution
• Apply ceramic coating or wheel sealant for long-term protection.

The complete guide to cleaning alloy wheels

Cleaning alloy wheels sounds simple until you try scrubbing off weeks of dried brake dust, grease, and grime. There is a ton of generic advice on the internet, but from our expertise, we’ll give you the best and most effective practical tips to clean your alloy wheels, even the high-end AMG Forged wheels.

1.Start with the basic rinse

Use a pressure washer or a garden hose with a narrow nozzle to push away all the loose dirt and sand. Remember to rinse the tyre first, though, because mud may drip from the dirty tyres. 

2.Use the right alloy wheel cleaner

Your typical car wash shampoo will not work its magic here. You’ll need a more powerful, dedicated alloy wheel cleaner that eats through all the brake dust and oil. 

You can use the Turtle Wax Redline Wheel Cleaner, Autoglym Custom Wheel Cleaner, or Meguiar’s Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner. All of these work well. 

Spray the cleaner generously and wait for it to react. You’ll probably see their color change as they break down the grime. This is when you should start scrubbing.

Use a soft-bristle wheel cleaning brush to get inside the spokes and around the nuts. Grab an old toothbrush if your brush is too big to reach tight spaces and grooves. Wear gloves and eye protection as these chemicals are super strong.

3.Remove stubborn stains and brake dust

After a quick rinse, if you still see black residue or rusty spots, we need to step it up:

• For dried-on brake dust, you can use Formula 88 Cleaner & Degreaser.
• To remove iron deposits, try an iron fallout remover like CarPro IronX.
• If there are rust stains from lug nuts, you can try CLR (Calcium Lime Rust) Cleaner or Smooth Top Stove Cleaner with Citric Acid. Test it on a small area first.
• For even tougher grime, Simple Green and a soft pad or drill brush combo will do the trick. Or if you have Magic Eraser at home, you can use it to remove mild grease. 

4.Deep clean with alcohol or acetone if necessary

If you still see sticky gunk on the alloys, then you can spray some isopropyl alcohol or acetone. Protect your eyes, cover your nose, and wear gloves while using these. Let it sit for one minute and then scrub with a toothbrush. Rinse well after.

Avoid vinegar and WD-40. They are not made for this and may damage alloy wheel finishes or coatings.

5.Restore or refinish damaged alloy wheels

If your wheel’s clear coat is peeling off or the bare metal underneath is corroding, you’ll need to do more than cleaning. 

Option one: Get your wheels professionally refurbished. You’ll find a number of wheel restoration shops in Dubai and Sharjah. They’ll strip the coating, repair it, and refinish alloy wheels to factory condition.

Option two: Do it yourself (at your own risk):

• Strip the old coating using a paint stripper like Citristrip (it’s safe for alloys).
• Power wash the wheels.
• Neutralize the stripper with a mix of water and acetone.
• Scrub and sand it with Scotch Brite pads or any abrasive cones.
• Clean again with dish soap and let them dry.
• Apply a primer. Follow it with 2 to 3 coats of wheel paint.
• Finish with a high-temperature rated clear coat spray.

Of course, you can change the wheel color to the one you like.

6.Seal and protect your custom rims

Once you’re done cleaning or painting, you’ll need to seal them to prevent any future dirt from sticking. Use a wheel sealant or ceramic coating like Gtechniq C5. 

Apply it using a lint-free cloth or makeup pad. Buff it up with a microfiber towel. We recommend that you do ceramic coating on your alloy wheels. They’re a bit expensive, but they protect your wheel finishes for 2 to 5 years. They also make cleaning easier.

If your wheels are bare polished metal, apply a protective coating ASAP. UAE’s heat and sand will dull the finish faster than you can say 6061-T6 aerospace-grade aluminium.

Best custom alloy wheels for Dubai’s heat and roads

Yes, it’s important to clean and protect your wheels. But starting with the right set of wheels is even better. K7 Forged gives you high-performance forged alloy wheels in the UAE, engineered for extreme conditions. We also back it up with a lifetime structural warranty and a 1-year finish warranty for all our custom wheels and rims. 

FAQs

• How do I clean matte-finish alloy wheels?

Use gentle, non-abrasive cleaners and soft brushes to avoid damaging the matte finish.

• Is it necessary to use a separate wash mitt for wheels?

Yes, using a separate mitt prevents cross-contamination and protects your car’s paintwork.

• How often should I apply protective sealant to my alloy wheels?

Reapply every few months to maintain protection against contaminants and to make cleaning easier.