The rims on your vehicle are particularly susceptible to damage by road debris. During the colder months, road salt can get on the rims and cause significant damage if not cleaned off periodically. Road salt can cause corrosion and rust, which are serious when it comes to appearance and performance. Even though road salt can cause serious damage, there is a relatively simple process for removing it.
Make a schedule for washing your rims during salt season and stick to it. When the weather gets cold and the roads get snowy and icy, wash your rims at least every 10 days. When the temperature rises, such as above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, you should also take time to wash your rims.
Let your rims cool down after driving before you get the salt off. Trying to clean them when they're still hot could stain the tires.
Fill a bucket with warm water and add several drops of high-quality car wash soap or the amount the manufacturer recommends. Avoid using cleaners with harsh or abrasive chemicals because these can damage your rims more than the salt.
Use a scrubbing brush and the cleaning solution to remove the majority of the salt from your rims. You will most likely have to scrub pretty hard to remove the salt.
Use an old toothbrush to scrub the more intricate areas of your rims. This ensures that you remove all the salt from the crevices.
Rinse the rims thoroughly and dry them with a large towel. Check out your work to make sure you didn't miss any salt before calling it a day.
