CLEANING/CARE TIPS
FAQs
Make sure to follow directions listed on the wheel
care product.
Always work on a cool wheel surface, preferably
in the shade.
Spray wheel cleaner from the bottom of the wheel
working upwards to avoid concentrated product
running down the face of the wheel.
Each wheel should be cleaned before allowing
product to dry on the wheel.
Appropriately agitate with soft bristle wheel brush
or wash mitt as needed.
Rinse wheel thoroughly ensuring all cleaner and
dirt is removed and dry completely with cloth.
Protect the wheel surface with sealer or wax.
A raw aluminum wheel will require regular
polishing to maintain its protection and luster.
What if I am unable to find a cleaner?
Use plain soap & water (same as you would use
to wash the vehicle itself) and contact the wheel
manufacturer or consult a professional reseller
for advice.
What is the difference between paint and clear coat?
Paint is generally an outwardly visible color, while
clear coat has no color or tint.
Does “uncoated” or “raw” mean that my wheel
is unfinished?
No, this is a specific wheel finish that has not had
any paint or clear coat applied.
How can I tell if my wheel is finished or not finished?
Contact the wheel manufacturer or consult a
professional reseller for advice.
What if am unable to identify the type of wheel on
my car?
Contact the wheel manufacturer or consult a
professional reseller for advice.
This information is provided by the Wheel & Tire
Council (WTC) of the Specialty Equipment Market
Association (SEMA) for informational purposes only
and should not be relied upon as your sole resource
when selecting wheel care products. SEMA does not
manufacture, distribute or sell wheel care products
of any kind and does not exercise control over any
entity manufacturing, distributing or selling wheel care
products. SEMA makes no representations about the
quality or suitability of any particular wheel care product
and expressly disclaims liability and responsibility for
any injury to a person or property that may result from
the use of a particular wheel care product.
For more information on the guide or other WTC and
SEMA programs, please visit SEMA.org/WTC or call
909-978-6696.
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Technically known as Chromium Plate.
Chrome is a very shiny decorative
and protective fi nish. Chrome can
be applied to metal or plastic by a
process called electroplating. When
properly cared for chrome is highly
resistant to corrosion and rust and
will maintain its mirror like shine for
many years.
Painted wheels have a chemically
bonded coating similar to the surface
of your car’s body. Paint can be tinted
with color or with no tint such as clear
coat. Painted applications can be clear
coat, color coat, or powder coated.
Not to be confused with powder coating,
anodizing is an electrochemical process
that actually converts the wheel surface
into a decorative, corrosion resistant,
oxide fi nish available in a large variety
of colors.
Plastic Clad. A stylized plastic outer/
face is bonded to an aluminum or steel
base wheel to give the appearance of
a custom wheel; can be painted or
chrome plated.
A wheel with more than one type of
fi nish; can be in an unlimited variety
of colors, materials, and fi nishes such
as paint, chrome, powder coating,
or anodizing. The manufacturing
processes can include casting, forged,
and billet, in one-, two-, or threepiece
wheels.
An unprotected, non-coated aluminum
wheel. The fi nish process can include raw
casting, machining, brushed, or polished.
CHROME
PAINTED
ANODIZED
PLASTIC & CLAD
MULTI-FINISH
POLISHED
MOST POPULAR AND COMMON WHEEL SURFACE FINISHES
USE THE APPROPRIATE WHEEL CLEANER BASED ON THE FINISH OF YOUR WHEEL
LOW PH CLEANERS
TYPICALLY LABELED “CHROME WHEEL CLEANER”
NEUTRAL PH CLEANERS
HIGH PH CLEANERS
TYPICALLY LABELED “ALUMINUM WHEEL CLEANER”
TYPICALLY LABELED “WHEEL & TIRE CLEANER”
PAINTED
ANODIZED
PLASTIC & CLAD
MULTI-FINISH
POLISHED
CHROME
PLASTIC & CLAD
