Do you have ALCOA® rims on your truck or trailer? Great! These rims are not only super strong and durable, but they also look fantastic. To ensure they always look their best, it's important to regularly clean and maintain your ALCOA® rims. Don't worry, it's not difficult at all – in fact, it's quite enjoyable! In this article, we'll explain what ALCOA® rims actually are, why you shouldn't just start cleaning them with a standard cleaning product, and how you should clean them properly.
What are ALCOA® rims?
Alcoa rims are made (as the name suggests) by Alcoa, a company specializing in making top-quality aluminium products. These rims are built to last. But what makes Alcoa rims so great? Well, they are made of super-strong aluminium, making them lightweight yet durable. This means your vehicle uses less fuel and performs better. And let's be honest, they also look fantastic on the road!
Types of ALCOA® rim finishes
A finish actually means the 'look' of the Alcoa rims. There are different types of finishes to choose from, and each finish has its own maintenance instructions. Below you will find the types of Alcoa rims:
ALCOA Brushed Finish
This is the basic finish, which prevents the rims from rusting. These wheels will be less shiny than wheels with an LvL ONE finish or Dura-Bright EVO finish.
ALCOA LvL ONE® Finish
This is a very shiny finish that is smoother and glossier than the brushed finish. You will need to regularly polish these rims with Alpolish to maintain their shine. Nonetheless, the wheel looks fantastic and offers the same benefits as other ALCOA® WHEELS finishes
ALCOA Dura-Bright® EVO Finish
These types of Alcoa rims are very easy to maintain. This is also the most common finish. This finish is popular due to its easy maintenance and long-lasting shine, eliminating the need for polishing. Therefore, neveruse ALpolish for this type of rim.
Cleaning ALCOA® rims
Each type of Alcoa rim has different maintenance instructions. Below, we explain how to best clean the different types of finishes.
Before you start, it's important to know that the rims should not be warmer than 35 degrees Celsius to be polished.
ALCOA® Brushed Finish & LvL ONE®
Step 1: Rinse the rims with warm water, preferably with a high-pressure cleaner, to remove dirt.
Step 2: Dilute ALclean, a special cleaning agent for once every 3 months, 1 to 3 with water in a bucket. For daily/weekly cleaning of the aluminium rims, you can also use the undiluted Wheel Wash.
Step 3: Apply the diluted ALclean evenly to the surface of your Alcoa wheels.
Step 4: Let the product soak in to loosen the dirt. Absolutely do not let it dry!
Step 5: Brush the wheels clean with a soft brush, such as the ALbrush2 or a sponge.
Step 6: Rinse the rims very well with clean water to remove all residue of the cleaner.
Step 7: Dry the rims with a soft cloth to prevent water spots and make them shine beautifully.
ALCOA ALpolish®
This high-quality polishing paste has been specially developed for cleaning and polishing Alcoa wheels, restoring them to their original shine and appearance. With ALpolish, dirt, oxidation, and small scratches are a thing of the past, giving your wheels an impeccable finish. Never use ALpolish on Dura-Bright® wheels!
Once the ALCOA rims are nicely dried, proceed with the following steps:
Step 8: Then apply a small amount of ALpolish to a soft cloth.
Step 9: Spread the product evenly over the wheel by gently polishing the wheel with the cloth. This helps to remove any imperfections and give the surface a beautiful shine.
Step 10: Allow the polishing paste to work for a few minutes. Then wipe off the paste with a clean cloth until you achieve a glossy finish.
ALCOA Dura-Bright® EVO
Step 1: Rinse the rims with warm water, preferably with a high-pressure cleaner, to remove dirt.
Step 2: Use the Dura-Bright Wheel Wash, a special cleaning agent for these aluminium rims, which can be used daily/weekly.
Step 3: Apply the Wheel Wash evenly to the surface of your ALCOA wheels.
Step 4: Allow the product to soak in to loosen the dirt. Absolutely do not let it dry!
Step 5: Brush the wheels clean with a soft brush, such as the ALbrush2 or a sponge.
Step 6: Rinse the rims very well with clean water to remove all traces of the cleaner.
Step 7: Dry the rims with a soft cloth to prevent water spots and make them shine beautifully.
If your ALCOA Dura-Bright rims are really very dirty? Then you can also use ALclean. It is important to do this once every 3 months. Make good use of the instructions.
