Can I clean car rims with coke?

At least when changing tires you should clean the rims thoroughly. It is often heard that simple home remedies such as vinegar, cola or oven spray are suitable for this. Is that correct?

Driving costs money. At least when it comes to maintenance and care, many drivers want to save money. There are many tips for this. Among other things, it is recommended to clean the rims with home remedies such as oven sprays, diluted vinegar essence or cola. Is this a good idea?

Wrong means attack rims

The ADAC is skeptical: yes, superficial dirt could be removed in this way. But you can’t use it to remove stubborn dirt. This is especially true for brake dust. But not only that: If you use vinegar in the wrong concentration, for example, you could attack aluminum rims.

The ADAC therefore recommends using special cleaners for aluminum and steel rims. The instructions for use of the funds should be carefully observed, especially with regard to the exposure time.

How often should I wash?

Basically, regular and thorough care of the rims on the car makes sense: the more often you clean, the less harsh cleaners are needed.

Thorough cleaning is advisable at least when changing wheels every six months in spring and autumn, preferably with the removed rims. Firstly, you can easily reach the often heavily soiled insides. And secondly, no cleaning agent can get onto the brake discs, pads and calipers in this way.

The ADAC recommends thorough pre-cleaning, for example in the car wash or with a high-pressure cleaner. Then the rim cleaner comes on the dried wheels. Before cleaning, drive to a suitable washing area – and not to the green meadow. Disposable gloves protect the skin, even if washing gloves are used instead of a washing brush.

Avoid circular movements

When choosing utensils, the following applies: do not use anything that can grind or scratch. Otherwise the surface of the rim will become rough or damaged. This allows dirt to settle even better.

After the agent has been applied, you should always work in one direction and avoid circular movements when wiping. Areas that are difficult to access, for example between spokes or at the indentations of the screws, can be cleaned with a brush or toothbrush.

Finally, residues of the cleaner should be rinsed away with a microfiber or cotton cloth and plenty of warm water. After drying, you can also apply a special seal that preserves the clean cleaning result longer. Such a seal is not absolutely necessary for steel rims.