How to Remove Oxidation White Spots from Aluminum Alloy Wheels?
2 Answers
Toothpaste can be considered a "universal remedy." Toothpaste itself has a grinding effect. However, toothpaste can only be used to clean minor rust on chrome strips. It has strong surface affinity and permeability to metal, capable of penetrating into the metal's capillary pores to 100% eliminate moisture and humidity, forming an extremely thin and dense protective film. Copper polishing paste has a very good cleaning effect on rust found on most metal materials. Carburetor cleaner is one of the most effective methods for cleaning stains. However, it is highly corrosive, so be careful not to let it drip onto the car paint during use. You can pour a small amount of hydrochloric acid onto a cloth and then wipe the areas with glass film adhesive. Repeating the wiping process several times can effectively remove the chrome strip spots.
Speaking of white spots on rims, I have quite a bit of experience with this. These are usually caused by corrosion on the aluminum alloy surface. In northern regions, winter road salt or chemical-laden cleaning agents left unrinsed during car washes can easily lead to this issue. From my experience, the earlier you address it, the better. You can use a specialized mildly acidic wheel cleaner—spray it on, let it sit for a few minutes, then gently scrub with a soft-bristle brush. This typically removes non-stubborn white spots. Afterwards, make sure to thoroughly rinse off any residual foam, or the problem may recur. Prevention is also crucial: drying the rims after washing should become a habit. I recommend giving the wheels an extra rinse with clean water post-wash, especially where brake dust accumulates. Applying wheel wax periodically to create a protective film is genuinely effective, though it does take some time.