Wheel Bubble

Wheel Bubble

Care And Cleaning Of Custom Wheels

Chrome and polished aluminum wheels look great, but require just a little extra effort to protect that factory finish and shine.  Painted and clear coated custom wheels are more forgiving, but should still be handled with care to protect your investment. For all wheels, a simple hand washing with a mild dish soap and water will clean them up nicely.  Dry thoroughly and finish with a soft nonabrasive cream wax to protect the wheel.  Keep in mind that you should never wash a wheel when it is hot.  Spraying cold water on your wheels when they are very hot can cause rapid contraction resulting in slight warping as well as stresses between different materials like chrome and underlying steel or aluminum. Over time, these shocks to the wheel can cause the chrome to begin flaking. Also avoid abrasive materials like bristle brushes and steel wool that can permanently scratch your wheels. Plus, always keep harsh cleaners including tire cleaners from coming into to contact with your wheels and damaging the finish.

Rules of Thumb
Washing your custom wheels once a week will keep road grime and brake dust from being ground on. When brake dust and other road dirt accumulate they will trap salts and moisture in the air that can react with chrome and aluminum finishes causing oxidation and pitting.

Avoid frequently using commercial car washes whose equipment could scratch your wheels and whose detergents are often very harsh.  Also carefully check the label before using any wheel brake dust cleaner -- many are too acidic to use on chromed wheels.

Winter weather and snow should be avoided at all cost. Corrosive salt and abrasive sand will wreak havoc on any finish.  Put your factory wheels on for winter driving and save your custom wheels for the prime cruising weather.

When in doubt as to how to clean and protect your custom wheels, the products you use to clean and protect the body of your car can usually be used safely. But as always, take a minute to read the labels for any warnings.  

Handling Minor Scrapes
Damage from curbs and other objects are unsightly, but usually not a real safety concern.  On painted wheels a touch-up may be possible with matching paint ordered from the manufacturer.  Scratches on aluminum may be buffed out if not too deep. But there is no real fix for scratched chrome. If you curb your chrome wheels, immediately apply a clear lacquer, like clear nail polish to reseal the chrome. After that has dried, also apply a light coat of non-abrasive cream wax. This should keep any moisture from getting underneath the chrome and causing it bubble up or peel away from the underlying wheel.

Ask a Pro
These days, most of us live not far from a large local tire retailer who stocks a big selection of custom wheels.  Get to know them. They can steer you toward the right products for your particular type of wheel.  They also talk to hundreds of car customizers every month, so often they can even recommend a local car wash that you can trust not to scratch your wheels or use harsh detergents.

Custom wheels are an investment in the look and character of your vehicle. And like all investments, they need to be protected.

About the Author

About Belle Tire
People have trusted Belle Tire for the best value since 1922. For the lowest tire prices, period, and great low prices on custom wheels, alignments, brakes, batteries, oil and lube, shocks and struts, windshield repair and replacement, and more, visit www.belletire.com. Also join our online communities: BELLE TIRE CARES BLOG, FACEBOOK, and TWITTER

Big Wheel Bubble Mower $33 Just like dad! Big Wheel Bubble Mower shows "junior" the fun side of lawn duties! SAVE BIG! Instead of watching while dad cuts the lawn, get your child in on the action with this Big Wheel Bubble Mower! He or she can follow dad's footsteps in freshly mown grass, releasing fun bubbles instead of boring-ol' grass clippings. It's easy to use... just fill the tank with the included bubble solution, then the side lever turns to blow bubbles out of the "exhaust" pipe! Has a "play" gear shift, steering wheel and key to heighten the realism! Grass is greener on the bubbly side: Wide wheel base provides a stable support for kids while they ride; Includes 4 ozs. of bubble solution; Made for ages 1 1/2 to 4 years old; 4 AA batteries required (not included). Measures 21 x 12 x 10" and weighs 4 lbs. Tons of fun for any kid... get this Mower today! CHOKING HAZARD. Small parts. Not for children under 3 yrs. Big Wheel Bubble Mower Type: Ride-Ons Color: Multi-Color Gender: Unisex Age: Child

Bubble $10 Bubble

The Bubble $13.99 The Bubble

Antari W101 Wireless High Output Bubble Machine $199.99 The Antari W101 Wireless High Output Bubble Machine is equipped with the "Double Bubble Wheel" designed to produce a solid, plentiful amount of bubbles continuously. The W-101's reservoir holds 1-liter of bubble liquid that will keep making bubbles for up to 2 hours continuously. Just plug in, fill up and the unit instantly produces bubbles. Easy refills and the included hanging bracket makes the W-101 very user-friendly.Another innovation is the learning-mode of the wireless function. Each receiver can memorize up to 5 sets of frequencies and all receivers can receive signals from any registered transmitter. The wireless controller comes standard.

Bubble Town $19.99 Bubble Town

Bubble Hemp $10 Bubble Hemp

Bubble Fun $10 Bubble Fun

Colorful bubble $10 Colorful bubble

Bubble Rain $10 Bubble Rain

Planet Bubble $10 Planet Bubble

Bubble Background $10 Bubble Background

Bubble Pop $10 Bubble Pop

Bubble Light $10 Bubble Light

Pink Bubble $6 Pink Bubble

Bubble - $12.99 Steven Soderbergh followed up his slick, star-studded sequel, Ocean's Twelve, with Bubble, a small-town drama about workers in a doll factory, played by a cast of unknowns. Martha (Debbie Doebereiner) seems to have acclimated herself to a very simple life. She works at the factory, where she eats lunch with a younger co-worker, Kyle (Dustin Ashley), and goes home to take care of her elderly father. Her routine is disrupted when an attractive young woman, Rose (Misty Wilkins), is hired at the factory to help them with the holiday rush. Rose soon tells the others that she's eager to leave their town, where there is "nothing to do." She immediately attracts Kyle's attention. One night, Rose asks Martha to baby-sit for her two-year-old daughter while she goes out on a date. Martha is startled to learn that her date is with Kyle. When Rose returns home that night, she's greeted by her angry ex-boyfriend, Jake (K. Smith), who accuses her of stealing from him. Martha looks on while Rose and Jake have a heated confrontation. The next morning, one of the characters is found murdered, and a detective (played by Decker Moody) begins to investigate. Bubble was written by Coleman Hough, who also scripted Soderbergh's Full Frontal. It was shown at the 2005 New York Film Festival, presented by the Film Society of Lincoln Center. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi

Bubble Boy $4.99 Bubble Boy

Bubble And Scrape $8.99 Bubble And Scrape

Wrap,16x9 Bubble,Be $3.99 WRAP,16X9 BUBBLE,BE

In The Bubble $19.99 Cd Baby:66852

A Bubble $13.63 No Synopsis Available

Wheel Balancer & Truing Stand $116.99 BikeMaster Wheel Balancer & Truing Stand Features a bubble level to balance wheels correctly the first time Steel plate construction for durability and stability Comes with shaft, cones and spacers fit just about any wheel Fits wheel widths 30cm to 54cm

Antari W101 Wireless High Output Bubble Machine 889406766518 $149.99 The Antari W101 Wireless High Output Bubble Machine is equipped with the "Double Bubble Wheel" designed to produce a solid, plentiful amount of bubbles continuously. The W-101's reservoir holds 1-liter of bubble liquid that will keep making bubbles for up to 2 hours continuously. Just plug in, fill up and the unit instantly produces bubbles. Easy refills and the included hanging bracket makes the W-101 very user-friendly.Another innovation is the learning-mode of the wireless function. Each receiver can memorize up to 5 sets of frequencies and all receivers can receive signals from any registered transmitter. The wireless controller comes standard.

Antari W101 Wireless High Output Bubble Machine 886830134180 $169.99 The Antari W101 Wireless High Output Bubble Machine is equipped with the "Double Bubble Wheel" designed to produce a solid, plentiful amount of bubbles continuously. The W-101's reservoir holds 1-liter of bubble liquid that will keep making bubbles for up to 2 hours continuously. Just plug in, fill up and the unit instantly produces bubbles. Easy refills and the included hanging bracket makes the W-101 very user-friendly.Another innovation is the learning-mode of the wireless function. Each receiver can memorize up to 5 sets of frequencies and all receivers can receive signals from any registered transmitter. The wireless controller comes standard.

Liquid Bubble $7.97 Features a quart of liquid bubble.

Bubble Bobble $10 Bubble Bobble - Game