How to Clean Your Chrome

When you order your custom motorcycle wheels from RC Components, you’re getting one of the best products in the industry. Our wheels are designed to make a statement and catch attention as you cruise down the road. All of our wheels are either chrome plated or ceramic powdercoated using our proprietary system. We stand behind our products, offering a seven year warranty against defects, but you will need to show your chrome a little love from time to time to ensure that it looks its best. Here, we’ll take a look at the right way to clean chrome.

Soap

You may think you need a fancy soap designed specifically to clean chrome, but it’s absolutely not necessary if you’re just cleaning off regular road grime. When chrome is cleaned regularly, the dirt won’t settle into the finish, making it simple to clean with a soft rag and a mild detergent. Often, your regular dish soap will be strong enough to take the grime off your wheels. Best of all, the soap won’t damage your paint job if you happen to fling water on the body of your bike.

Vinegar and Water

If simple soap and water didn’t quite clean the chrome completely, try using some white vinegar to remove the tough stains. Dilute the vinegar with one part water to one part vinegar and use a soft rag or sponge to scrub your wheels. You want the solution to stay acidic so the vinegar can eat away at built up dirt and road grime. When you’re done, simply rinse the vinegar solution off with clean water and polish your wheel.

Cola

You’ve probably heard the myth that cola can dissolve battery acid, and while we haven’t tested this, we know that cola does dissolve rust! If you’ve neglected your chrome for a while and small bits of rust are starting to collect on your wheel, try using colato dissolve it away. If the rust is particularly stubborn, you can use a piece of aluminum foil to scrub the rust away, but be cautious. If you scrub too hard, the foil will scratch the chrome plating. Once the rust is gone, wash your wheel with soap and water to remove any residue from the cola.

How Often Should You Clean Chrome?

With chrome, it’s best to clean it frequently. As soon as you notice a buildup of dirt and grime, or start to see the brilliance of the finish go dull, clean the chrome. The longer the finish sits with dirt, the harder it will be to keep it looking like new. As dirt collects on chrome, the finish can become damaged, either due to chemicals used in road materials, or a buildup of grease and oil. Once the finish is damaged, it will become harder to keep rust from developing and professional repairs will be needed. Remember, rust is corrosive and can damage the metal beneath the chrome, compromising the integrity of your wheel.

Should You Polish Chrome?

If you want to keep your chrome looking great year round, polishing it with a high-quality carnauba wax or even baby oil on a soft cloth will go a long way towards maintaining that perfect shine. Chrome is by no means a maintenance-free metal and should be inspected regularly for signs of damage.

If you’ve been cleaning your chrome wheels and accessories regularly, but believe there’s some underlying damage, contact RC Components today. We stand by our products and if there’s an issue with our chrome plating, we want to hear about it! Contact us today for more information.