I think we can all agree that:
Dirty brown-hued wheels are an ugly sight. They mess up the whole aesthetic of what would otherwise be a sleek looking car
Picture this: you’ve washed and wiped every inch, every nook, and cranny of the body of your car. It is spotless. Elegant. Beautiful and- oops you’ve got a rusty tire rim.
Every day, many car enthusiasts are faced with this gut-wrenching dilemma of aesthetics. You can make your car as shiny and clean as humanly possible but you will never be able to enjoy the beauty of it unless your tire rims reflect the same.
And If wheel cleaning is something you have a bone to pick with, you’ve come to the right place! I have taken it upon myself to compile a list of the best chrome wheel cleaner and the best wheel cleaner products in general so that you never have to deal with those pesky rust stains ever again! check out our guide on How To Clean Wheels near the Conclusion at the end!
Best Car Wheel Cleaners in 2021:
Here are our top picks of the best car wheel cleaners:
Best Car Wheel Cleaner | Ratings | Price |
TriNova Wheel Cleaner Spray | 10/10 (Editor's Choice) | |
Adam’s Wheel & Tire Cleaner | 9/10 | |
Mothers Foaming Cleaner | 8/10 | |
Carfidant Ultimate Wheel Spray | 9/10 | |
Sonax (230200-755) | 8/10 | |
Griot's Garage 10973 | 7/10 | |
Eagle One | 9/10 | |
CarMagic | 8/10 |
1. TriNova Wheel Cleaner Spray
- Acid-free formula
- Suitable for all types
- Melts away grime
Pros | Cons |
Works well with black chrome | Needs agitation sometimes |
More quantity for less price |
Why we recommend this:
2. Adam’s Wheel & Tire Cleaner
- Safe on virtually all finishes
- Great satisfaction guarantee
- Extends tire dressing life
Pros | Cons |
Attacks brake dust | Foams up sometimes |
Relatively cheap for quality |
Why we recommend this:
Looking for related articles? Check out our guide on the best car scents in 2021!
3. Mothers Foaming Cleaner
Why we love it:
- Quick and easy clean
- Safe penetration
- Foaming and non-acidic
Pros | Cons |
Pleasant smell | Needs strong stream of water |
Easy spray and wash-off | Not suitable for aluminum |
Why we recommend this:
4. Carfidant Ultimate Wheel Spray
- Safe for all rims
- Full refund on non-satisfaction
- Neutral PH Formula
Pros | Cons |
Low effort required | Not good for dark finishes |
Does not harm finishes |
Why we recommend this:
Interested in related gadgets? Read our guide: Best Microfiber Towels For Drying Cars [Top 6 Reviewed]
5. Sonax (230200-755)
- Color-changing formula
- Emulsification action
- Great for DIY
Pros | Cons |
Good for yellow stains | Pungent and unpleasant smell |
Precise jet-spray action |
Why we recommend this:
6. Griot’s Garage 10973
- Non-caustic
- Easy refill
- Color changing action
Pros | Cons |
Specific application instructions | Scrubbing required |
High volume |
Why we recommend this:
7. Eagle One
- Ideal for aluminium
- Manufacturer recommended
- Rigorously tested
Pros | Cons |
Removes small pieces of grime | Peculiar instructions |
Around 20 car washes in a single bottle |
Why we recommend this:
8. CarMagic
- Advanced formula
- Easy 3 step use
- Fast deterioration
Pros | Cons |
No scrub | Harsh chemicals |
Easy to use |
Why we recommend this:
Conclusion
These were some of the best car wheel cleaner products. Remember, the key to a smooth drive are well-maintained tires! Keep your tires clean and know what signs to look for to identify Common Tire Issues.
How to clean chrome rims that are pitted:
Chrome wheels are beautiful. There is no denying that. But that elegant sporty looks can come at am price which the salesman will not tell you – enter pitting. Pitting is when there are bubbly deposits of tiny holes on the rim of your wheel.
At first, you will think that this is just a loss of shine in general; a result of long drives and dust accumulation. But soon, you will come to realize that this is a separate problem altogether and that to tackle the dust, you must tackle the pits in your wheel.
Make no mistake, this is a loss of mass, so you will need to recoat it. But before you do, you should thoroughly wipe your rims clean so as to avoid the spread of an uneven coat on your wheels which would look even more unsightly!
1: Dust the chrome surface with a clean cloth, preferably microfiber. You may use surface soap to aid with this process.
2: Shine a light through the pits and see if you see significant leaks on the opposite side. This is a good indicator of how messed up your rims have become. In the worst areas, it is recommended that you vigorously rub sandpaper so as to smoothen the tiny pits and hopefully cover up any visible damage that can be at that stage.
3: Slowly apply a new clear coat on the remaining pits and make sure you cover all the big holes. Now you can use chrome polish to make your tires look as good as new!
What is the best chrome cleaner?
This is all about what you’re looking for, really. In the list above, I have included all kinds of products with varying degrees of harshness in their formula. Not all tires are the same, not all rims are the same and in the same way, not all rim cleaners are the same. You need to match your product with your objective.
A good rule of thumb is that the older the car, the harsher the chemicals. Old cars have withstood the test of time so it only makes sense that to shine those rusty rims, you’re going to need products that are aggressive and go above and beyond in their formula.
Newer cars have specific rim issues so it is best to look for products that are meant to tackle whatever niche problem you are faced with. And trust me, these products are definitely out there! You just need to look.
Source:
- [PDF] Cleaning products




