If you care about keeping your car clean and spotless all the time then you know how difficult it can be to clean all the chrome-plated components. Although the chrome parts are some of the most durable and best-looking components on your vehicle, they are equally difficult to keep clean and over time become faded, dull, and rusty. Plus most people try cleaning the chrome parts, especially the wheel rims with water which does remove all the dust from the surface but leaves lasting stains behind. The only way to keep your chrome parts clean and brand new is to get yourself a high-quality chrome cleaner. In this article we will review the best chrome cleaner for wheels.
Chrome Cleaner Buying Guide
When you are looking for a quality chrome cleaner for your wheels, here are a few things that you should keep in your mind.
Some chrome cleaners are made to take care of much tougher jobs than others. If your car is considerably new, make sure you get a chrome cleaner that has a mild effect and if your chrome components are a bit older, it is best if you get one that is a bit stronger.
Make sure you buy a dual-purpose chrome cleaner that also works on metal and takes care of surface rust. This is a great time and money saver, especially when you are taking on a bigger restoration project.
Last but not the least, your chrome cleaner should add a protective layer to the surface of the metal that will act as a shield against dust, debris, and rust.
If you are in the market for the perfect chrome cleaner for your wheels, here is a list of some of the best in the market right now.
Meguiar’s G19124 Hot Rims Chrome Wheel Cleaner
- Removes dirt, grime and brake dust from chrome
- Provides a mirror-like finish
- Extreme cling foam stays put even on vertical surfaces
- Safe for pure chrome metal wheels
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The Meguiar’s G19124 Hot Rims Chrome Wheel Cleaner is one of the most effective and safe chrome cleaners for your wheels. It will take off the toughest stains, dirt, grime, and brake dust within seconds. It has strong foaming and cleaning agents that get to work the moment you spray it on your chrome components. However, make sure you don’t leave the solution on for any longer than 15 to 20 seconds because that might end up harming the chrome. It’s best to apply the solution, leave it on for around 15 seconds, and then rinse it off. Do this two or three times and you will get a perfect mirror-like shine.
Meguiar’s G19124 Hot Rims Chrome Wheel Cleaner gives you specialized Xtreme Cling foam which clings to the chrome surface and dissolves anything between the surface and the solution, including rust, debris, grime, and dust.
CAR GUYS Chrome Wheel Cleaner
- CAR GUYS Wheel Cleaner is a versatile brake dust cleaner that is safe on ALL types of wheel finishes, tires, and more!
- Safe on ALL Rims and Tires! – Our advanced pH Neutral formula, safely removes the toughest dirt and road grime on ANY wheel or tire.
- Quick & Easy to Use! – Our highly concentrated cleaning gel is ready to spray right out of the bottle, but can also be diluted with water to extend the longevity of the liquid.
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One of the first things that you will notice about the CAR GUYS Wheel Cleaner is that it foams up a lot more than a normal chrome cleaner and unlike some of the more abrasive wheel cleaners, you can leave this on the surface for a couple of minutes before rinsing it off. This is a much safer wheel cleaner because it won’t damage your chrome plating even if you leave it on the surface for a while or even if it dries up.
One of the biggest problems with the harsher cleaners is that once you rinse them off the residual product stays in your driveway and eats into the asphalt, which can end up ruining your driveway. With CAR GUYS Wheel Cleaner that doesn’t happen. This is formulated to be a much lighter wheel cleaner so you don’t have to worry about abrasion on the wheels, chrome, or in the driveway
The best way to use the CAR GUYS Wheel Cleaner is to spray it on once, leave it for a few minutes then rinse and repeat. Make sure you rinse the wheels before applying the solution and use a soft cloth to clean the wheels before reapplying the solution.
Mothers 05222 California Gold All Chrome Polish
- Quick and easy way to clean, polish, and protect any hard or decorative chrome finish, including chrome plating, PVD chrome, and even todays chromed plastics
- This unique spray polish takes the grunt work out of keeping your wheels, trim and accessories their shiniest, anytime, anywhere
- All-Chrome effortlessly removes fingerprints, smudges, dust, bugs and even light water spots, leaving behind a protective barrier to keep your chrome sparkling
- Fit type: Universal
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The Mothers 05222 California Gold All Chrome Polish makes it easy for you to clean any chrome finish whether it is chrome plated wheels or other chrome components on your vehicle. It will get rid of fingerprints, dust, smudges, and water stains, and leave the chrome components with a gleaming shine that will last for quite some time. All you need to do is spray on the solution and use a piece of soft cloth to rub it in. Make sure you get all the nooks and crevices, so there isn’t any residual dust or debris. Rinse it off and repeat the process. This will leave your chrome components looking brand new.
Mothers 05222 California Gold All Chrome Polish is a multi-purpose cleaner, which means you can also clean other surfaces with this solution as well, including leather surfaces, coated plastic, and painted components.
Meguiar’s G-9524 Wheel Cleaner
- Loosens and dissolves brake dust, road grime
- Safe for all wheels
- Spray on & hose off
- 24 oz sp
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If you want to make your wheels look like they just came out of the box, you should use the Meguiar’s G-9524 Wheel Cleaner. However you need to make sure you are working with factory OEM clear coated wheels. You shouldn’t be using this product on sensitive surfaces like uncoated aluminum or painted components.
This is a very strong product, so rinse it off within 30 seconds. Otherwise it’s going to start eating into the chrome coating. Also, make sure it is used in a well-ventilated area. Don’t let it sit in the driveway after you rinse it off. Once you’ve rinsed the wheels twice, it’s time to dry them up completely using a cotton terry cloth towel to get a mirror-like appearance and prevent water spots.
Chemical Guys CLD_997_16 Diablo
- Safe enough to use on all OEM and after market wheels
- Sticks to grime and breaks dust and efficiently loosens contaminants for a safe, spotless rinse
- Can be applied with a brush or sprayed on
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What’s great about the Chemical Guys CLD_997_16 Diablo is that it takes all the hard work out of cleaning your chrome-plated wheels by using the concentrated suspension technology. This removes all the dust, contamination, and brake dust from the wheels without having to scrub the surface. This prevents accidental scratches and damage to the chrome surface and helps keep it new for longer. The solution isn’t too abrasive which means it is safe to use on all OEM, aftermarket wheels, painted and powder coated wheels, chrome, and virtually all painted surfaces.
Chemical Guys CLD_997_16 Diablo has a unique consistency that easily sticks to the dust, grime, and debris. It loosens it up so it can easily be rinsed off with water, leaving the wheels spotless.
TriNova Wheel Cleaner
- Removes Unwanted Grime - TriNovas Wheel Cleaner is a premium spray that will give your dirty wheels back their original shine by melting away dirt and grime that accumulates from things like brake dust and oil residue.
- Tough on Stains to Restore Shine - This spray easily restores the original shine to your car wheels or rims by tackling even the toughest stains that have set in from exposure to damaging elements over time.
- Suitable for All Wheel Types - Safe for use on all types, from aluminum to chrome to white-wall tires, while still providing the ultimate clean youre looking for.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
If you often have a hard time keeping your wheels brand new during the winter season, you need the TriNova Wheel Cleaner. It is formulated to not only fight against dirt and grime. It also fights against snow and salt that can ruin your wheels during winters.
The TriNova Wheel Cleaner is safe to be used on all types of wheels. It leaves no long-term damage as it is acid-free and provides a protective layer against dirt and grime. All you have to do for this solution to work perfectly is apply it from a 6-8 inches distance. Leave it on for around 2 minutes. Get it into all the crevices with a brush or sponge and rinse it off. Your wheels will start looking brand new once again.
If you are looking to keep the rest of your car shiny, check out our article on the best cheap car buffers.
