How to Protect Car Rims While Applying a Protectant

Car rims are vital to vehicle operation. Rims provide support for the tires and a damaged rim can negatively affect a vehicle's operation. Rims can also serve a purpose other than simply function. Some people upgrade their rims to more expensive decorative models and it is important to keep the rims looking their best. Applying a protectant to the tires can assist in keeping the tires healthy but you want to prevent the chemicals from damaging the rims. Protecting the rims while applying protectant is not difficult but it does require care and diligence.

• 1

  Place masking tape around the rim to protect the edges from getting tire protectant on it.

• 2

  Cover a rim with a furniture pad or a worn blanket to help further prevent tire protectant from dripping down or spraying onto the rim while the protectant is being applied.

• 3

  Apply a small amount of protectant at a time to the tire and allow it to set into the rubber. It will take longer to apply the protectant this way but it will be a more thorough job and will prevent the protectant from affecting the rim material.

• 4

  Wipe off the rims as soon as the tire protectant is applied with a damp cloth to quickly remove any residue that has come into contact with the rim material. Many tire protectants are silicone-based and are easy to remove prior to drying.