How to Clean Aluminum Wheels and Remove Brake Dust

Aluminum wheels take the worst of it — brake dust, road film, and salt all bake onto a hot wheel and bond hard. Cleaned right, they come back to a bright shine; cleaned wrong, you etch and dull the aluminum. Here's how to do it properly.

Let the wheel cool first

Never clean a hot wheel. Product flashes off and can stain or etch the surface, and water spots set instantly. Let the wheel come down to ambient temperature before you start.

Hot water and the right cleaner

Brake dust and road film respond to a hot-water wash with a wheel-appropriate cleaner. Avoid harsh acid cleaners on bare polished aluminum — they can etch and discolour it. Agitate with a soft brush to lift the baked-on dust from the spokes and barrel.

Polish to restore shine

Once clean, polished aluminum that's gone dull can be brought back with a metal polish. This cuts the light oxidation and restores the mirror finish. Bare machined or polished wheels benefit most.

Keep on top of it

Brake dust is acidic and corrosive over time. Regular cleaning stops it from etching the finish, and keeping wheels polished protects the aluminum from the pitting that's much harder to reverse.