AFTERCARE GUIDE
Diamond cut alloy wheels look spectacular, offering a premium, two-tone machined finish that comes standard on most modern luxury vehicles.
Diamond cut alloy wheels look spectacular, offering a premium, two-tone machined finish that comes standard on most modern luxury vehicles. However, they require a completely different maintenance approach compared to standard painted wheels. The clear lacquer on a diamond cut wheel is bonded directly to smooth, bare, polished aluminium. This bond is inherently weaker than powder coat applied over an etched primer. Using the wrong cleaning chemicals, specifically the harsh acids found at supermarket hand-car washes, will cause the lacquer to cloud, peel, or fail completely, leading to the dreaded ‘white worm’ corrosion.
Acid-based wheel cleaners will immediately attack any microscopic stone chips, seeping under the lacquer and causing rapid oxidisation of the bare metal.
Traffic Film Removers (TFR) used at cheap car washes have a very high pH level. Over time, these will chemically etch and dull the clear coat.
Always choose a dedicated pH-neutral wheel soap or a 'bleeding' iron-fallout remover that reacts with brake dust safely.
Never spray cold water or chemicals onto wheels immediately after driving. The thermal shock can crack the lacquer and warp the brake discs.
Never use stiff nylon brushes or abrasive scouring pads. They will inflict micro-scratches (swirl marks) into the clear lacquer.
Use a dedicated soft microfibre wash mitt or a specialist soft-bristle wheel brush designed specifically for delicate finishes.
Ensure the wheels and brake discs are completely cool to the touch before beginning the wash process.
Use a pressure washer (from a safe distance of at least 1 metre) to blast away loose dirt and heavy brake dust.
Spray a pH-neutral iron fallout remover. Let it dwell for 3-5 minutes until it turns purple as it dissolves the iron particles.
Use a soft detailing brush to gently agitate the cleaner around the lug nuts and into the corners of the spokes.
Rinse the wheel thoroughly with clean water, ensuring all chemical residue is removed from the brake calipers and behind the spokes.
Use a microfibre drying towel or a car dryer blower to remove standing water, preventing hard-water mineral spots from forming on the machined face.
Because the clear lacquer on diamond cut wheels is so vulnerable to stone chips and salt ingress, applying a protective barrier is essential. We highly recommend applying a high-temperature wheel wax or a dedicated ceramic wheel coating. These products create a sacrificial, hydrophobic layer over the lacquer. Not only do they provide an extra line of defence against Cornwall’s coastal salt air, but they also make the wheel incredibly easy to clean—often requiring nothing more than regular car shampoo and a hose to remove heavy brake dust. Reapply wheel wax every 3 months, or opt for a ceramic coating for 12-24 months of protection.
White worm is the milky, spider-web-like corrosion that spreads underneath the clear lacquer on diamond cut wheels. It occurs when water and salt penetrate a stone chip and oxidise the bare aluminium beneath.
No. Because the corrosion is happening underneath the clear lacquer, no amount of polishing on the surface will fix it. The wheel must be completely stripped, re-machined on a CNC lathe, and re-lacquered.
Generally, no. To work quickly, many volume car washes use highly aggressive, acid-based wheel cleaners and stiff brushes. These will rapidly degrade the finish of a diamond cut wheel.
To prevent brake dust from baking into the lacquer, you should ideally wash your wheels once a week, or at least every fortnight, using a pH-neutral shampoo.
Want to make cleaning your diamond cut wheels effortless? Contact us to add a professional ceramic coating to your refurbishment.
