How to protect aluminum/alloy wheels ALFA ROMEO 147 (937)

Great question! Your Alfa’s aluminum wheels deserve the best TLC, especially with winter throwing salty shade and dull vibes at every rim. Here’s how to keep them looking sharp when the roads are full of icy “seasoning”:

Clean ’em religiously: Ideally, once a week during peak winter. Use a pH-balanced wheel cleaner and a soft brush, or you’ll risk scratching up that lovely finish. Skip the aggressive chemicals—even if the bottle says stuff like “super turbo clean!”.

Wax or ceramic coat: Give your wheels a spa day with a high-quality wheel wax or ceramic coating. These form a protective barrier that keeps salt, water, and grime from making friends with your alloy. Reapply every few weeks to keep that shiny shield going.

Rinse after every salty drive: Road salt loves to linger. Hose down your wheels when you get home—even a quick rinse pays off and makes you feel slightly heroic.

Avoid abrasion: No steel wool, no sandpaper, no cheese graters (yes, someone has tried). Just gentle sponges and microfibre towels.

Repair chips ASAP: Any kerbing or chips let salt in like a bad houseguest. Clean and touch up any nicks to prevent corrosion from starting and spreading.

Consider winter wheels: If you love your stock alloys way too much, swap them for cheaper steel wheels during the salt fest—old school but effective.

You keep this up, and while your car might get blasted with every reagent known to mankind, your alloys will stay shinier than a Christmas disco ball. Just don’t lick them to test—road salt’s not that kind of seasoning.