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Cleaning Chrome wheels

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Posted by: crab daddy

I have stock 17" chrome wheels. They have some sort of funk on them.I dont think that they have ever been cleaned before I just bought it. I have tried using meguires rim cleaner and the dupont teflon stuff... along with rubbing them with a rag while soaked in the stuff. Nothing seem to be helping.

I have never had chrome rims before. Is there some easy way to clean these? And if not easy, is there a right way to do it.

Has anyone used that FLITZ polishing thing? I saw an info-mercial and have considered tring that.

Thanks in advance.

Posted by: ToddG

Quote:

Originally Posted by crab daddy

I have stock 17" chrome wheels. They have some sort of funk on them.I dont think that they have ever been cleaned before I just bought it. I have tried using meguires rim cleaner and the dupont teflon stuff... along with rubbing them with a rag while soaked in the stuff. Nothing seem to be helping.

I have never had chrome rims before. Is there some easy way to clean these? And if not easy, is there a right way to do it.

Has anyone used that FLITZ polishing thing? I saw an info-mercial and have considered tring that.

Thanks in advance.

The general approach will be to clean the wheels (and tires) really well the first time, and then subsequent cleanings will be much easier.

The rim cleaners are good for removing brake dust, but you're problem is a bit beyond that. Can you better describe the stuff on the wheels now ("funk" is useless). Is it hard or soft? Greasy? Black, white, gray? How much is on the wheel? After we've determined what the "funk" is, we can decide what products to use to clean it off.

Posted by: LS4me

Two words...

Wheel Wax

Posted by: ToddG

Quote:

Originally Posted by LS4me

Two words...

Wheel Wax

Wheel wax will be a good choice after the wheel is clean. But first we've got to get the "funk" off.

Posted by: crab daddy

I apologise, I took this pic last night and I thought that I had attatched it.

I am planning on keeping up with it once it is clean.... but first they must be cleaned.

Posted by: whatsupadrian

oh god! FLITZ IT

Posted by: BanginLS

looks like ur polish is eaten up... i know u can repolish the rim.. btu thats expensive. i have that on my rim now and i havent figured anything out

Posted by: ToddG

Wow, it looks like burned on brake dust. If the wheel is not cleaned for a long time, the accumulated brake dust actually melts from the heat of the wheel, and attaches to the finish (sorta like powder coating). This happened on my Infiniti, and it was really tough to get off.

I would first try a good chrome polish to get that stuff off. You can try Flintz, but it is designed as a multisurface polish (works on plastic and fiberglass too), so it may not be strong enough.

Posted by: crab daddy

thanks for the responses. looks like I will head to my local advance and see if they have anything for chrome polish.

Anyone have any suggested brands or techniques?

Posted by: ToddG

Quote:

Originally Posted by crab daddy

thanks for the responses. looks like I will head to my local advance and see if they have anything for chrome polish.

Anyone have any suggested brands or techniques?

Try Mother's Liquid Chrome Polish or "No. 7" brand.

Posted by: BanginLS

I try mothers, the chrome polish that comes in a silver can... it does work..

i asked someone at a place what i can use on my chrome rims.. he said use some eagle one.. so i used it and it ate the polish on my lip.. i know thats what happened to mine.. not sure about u.. anyone got any help for me?

Posted by: crab daddy

The only thing that my local parts store had was Eagle1 Nano Polish w/Anticorrosion (for Mag, Chrome & Aluminum Wheels). Well, the only thing that didnt specifially say not for chrome. I spent some time, but I only have done 1 wheel so far (my hand is cramping up)... this is not exactly an easy fix.

Here is a before and after of that wheel.

Posted by: chr0me

looks good im actually impressed, i thought it was a goner...

Posted by: Motodrew

damn... I'll have to keep that stuff in mind for other applications.. looks good!

Posted by: crab daddy

Thanks

I am actually really pleased with it. I wish it wasn't so much work, but I figure that once it is done... It will never be like that again.

Thanks for everyones help.

Posted by: ToddG

Quote:

Originally Posted by crab daddy

Thanks

I am actually really pleased with it. I wish it wasn't so much work, but I figure that once it is done... It will never be like that again.

Thanks for everyones help.

What an improvement! You should submit those photos to Eagle 1 for use in an ad!

I hope the results will motivate you to do the other wheels. Put in the effort, then you can do simple upkeep to maintain the wheels!

Congrats!

Posted by: BigBoiLS

i bought the wheel nanopolish. because of your thread i have the same problem but not as bad. and it worked wonders on my rims i'm sold untill i find something better. i highly recomend this product.

Posted by: decibels5

the easiest stuff to use is called dlr corrosion remover, i used it on a set of my friends wheels, the bolts were getting rusted. he had the plastic inserts with about 25 little allen screws that would get rusted. also the inserts caused them to be very hard to clean, so the break dust built up on them. simply soaked the bolts and rubbed the wheel down, five minutes and then bam, clean as can be. they also have dlr rust remover if you ever need it. bought mine at autozone or advance

Posted by: chriswells78

I had to use Steel Wool and Simple Green to get the same type of corrosion off of the chrome wheels on my Mountaineer when I bought it. It worked well. They were steel though, I am not sure how the chrome on alloy would do.

Posted by: J3FF

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatsupadrian

oh god! FLITZ IT

AHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Posted by: J3FF

Quote:

Originally Posted by chriswells78

I had to use Steel Wool and Simple Green to get the same type of corrosion off of the chrome wheels on my Mountaineer when I bought it. It worked well. They were steel though, I am not sure how the chrome on alloy would do.

Steel whool might scratch the chrome. I know I was scrubbing my chrome with a wheel scrubber and noticed tiny scratches where I did it. So I use a sponge now. I'll have to try this product. Has anyone used steam on their wheels?

Posted by: LSC_YA

I have also used 0000 steel wool with great sucess and no scratching. It is very, very fine.

Posted by: chriswells78

^^^yeah if you use it with a mild detergent it really doesn't scratch chrome. Chrome is pretty tough but like I said, I have never used it on an alloy chrome wheel, just steel ones but it did a good job with minimal elbow grease.

Posted by: JPsBored

I used Mothers Crome Polish on crome wheels on old 96 gmc truck.

Were oxidized and rusted,, 2 coats of Mothers and cleaned them right up,, was very immpressed.

Posted by: Beamer

Looks so much better, I'm gonna have to pick that stuff up when I go back to update my supplies, my wheels have some unsightly spots here and there I would like to get rid of.

Posted by: SoonerLS

Quote:

Originally Posted by J3FF

That all depends on the "grit" of the steel wool, the lubricant used, and the loose nut behind the wheel.

I've used 0000 steel wool and RB-17 cleaner to remove rust from blued firearms, and bluing (which is really a controlled form of corrosion) is far more delicate than chrome.

I don't think I'd suggest RB-17 (or Hoppes) for chrome; IIRC, it will attack the copper substrate used in the plating process, thereby damaging the chrome chemically...

Posted by: 2003v8sport

^ I like that post, in depth info. Someone told me that newer chrome wheels come with a protective clearcoat that can actually be polished off, which would be a bad thing. I take it this was b.s.?

Posted by: crab daddy

Heres a little bump for those that might have missed it.

They are still lookin good, I just wipe them down with a wet cloth once a week.

Posted by: Trebor

Hi Crab Daddy,

Here in Canada we have Canadian Tire. It's a car care store similar to a Pep Boys or Auto Zone in America.

Here's a couple of web links to Simoniz car care products. One's for the Simoniz Cyclone. It's to clean and polish your car, but it's mostly to care for tire rims.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortments/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=140847439 6669473&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474396670271&bm UID=1158755242586&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524443280 953&assortment=primary&fromSearch=true

The other link is for the complete Simoniz line-up in one "station". Pretty cool looking.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/assortments/dept_landing.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=14084743966 70242&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474396670271&bmUI D=1158720152807&FOLDER<>browsePath=253437430351749 4&FOLDER<>browsePath=1408474396670242

The Cyclone looks like it's a serious way to apply and remove a rim cleaner, whether it's liquid or paste. It's most likely available in America too. I'm thinking of getting it since I recently bought a 2006 Lincoln LS V8.

Amazing, when a guy buys a new car, all the new toys and stuff he buys to care for it. Like it's a little new born...needing 24/7 babysitting.

Now, if I could only get some breastfeeding...from a Playboy Playmate...in the new Lincoln!

Hope my links helps you.

Trebor.

Posted by: Brozly

Might try a Dremmel tool with a polishing tip...

Posted by: Husker Z

What does that stuff do to the clear coat on the rims?

Posted by: Trebor

Are you talking about the steam cleaning, the simoniz power polisher, or the nano polishing compound from Eagle One?

I think it all should be safe for chrome rims as long as you don't use sand paper!

Trebor.

Posted by: ToddG

Quote:

Originally Posted by Husker Z

What does that stuff do to the clear coat on the rims?

It is unclear whether the chrome wheels on the LS are clearcoated or not, although the general consensus is that they are not. However, that said, I treat my chrome wheels as if they had a clearcoat (e.g., gentle cleaners and polishes).

Posted by: TorontoLS

I am getting these 2003 chrome rims (OEM) tomorrow and was wondering if there are any recommendations to prevent/minimize brake dust buildup and keep them clean longer.

I tried the www.wheelwax.com link in this thread but the site seems to be down.

Thanks in advance.

Posted by: Iancusp

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToddG

i think they gotta be clear coated cuz when i shot my moms with eagle 1 it cleaned the break dust right off and they were BLACK as compared to my 20s which werent as dirtty and i hada use some elbow grease

Posted by: ToddG

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iancusp

I'm not following here. Simply because the cleaner turned black does not mean the wheels are clearcoated. In fact, it works against it, because the clearcoat would, in theory, prevent a chemical reaction between the wheel metal and the cleaner which would turn the cleaner black.

To TorontoLS: Many places sell wheel wax. Do a google search and you're sure to find some. However, that said, any good wax or sealant will do the job -- the fact is that "wheel wax" is a marketing gimmick. I think you'll get great results by cleaning the wheels with Nevr-Dull or other good chrome/metal polish, and follow up with any good wax or sealant that you would use on your paint. On my chrome wheels, I used Meguiar's "Metal Polysh" followed by Meguiar's Tech Wax. Here's the result (note the clean tires and wheel wells!)

Posted by: HyeLifeLS

nice wheel wells Todd, clean.

Posted by: jmz2k5

My god, those wheel wells are spotless!

Posted by: Eliot_Ness_Ls

There is a new power ball just for that type of mess. Or I use Eagle One Never Dull. But I think what you got works good.

Posted by: TorontoLS

"To TorontoLS: Many places sell wheel wax. Do a google search and you're sure to find some. However, that said, any good wax or sealant will do the job -- the fact is that "wheel wax" is a marketing gimmick. I think you'll get great results by cleaning the wheels with Nevr-Dull or other good chrome/metal polish, and follow up with any good wax or sealant that you would use on your paint. On my chrome wheels, I used Meguiar's "Metal Polysh" followed by Meguiar's Tech Wax. Here's the result (note the clean tires and wheel wells!)[/quote]

Thanks Todd! They are really nice and clean. I will try Meguiar's Tech Wax. Since the rims are brand new out of the box, I don't think they'll need the polish yet. I want to prevent getting them too dirty to begin with. I read another poster who was a detailer who said that wax just attracts more dirt but I don't buy it--he seems to be doing some business development by advising against waxing the wheels (and forgive me if I'm wrong)!

Posted by: Eliot_Ness_Ls

Holy hell TODD, why are those wheel wells so clean? ( NO OFFENSE)

Posted by: rjcc

man, that stuff did the trick, I had the same problem and my wheels are back to shining.

Posted by: ToddG

RJCC, great! They're looking good!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eliot_Ness_Ls

Holy hell TODD, why are those wheel wells so clean? ( NO OFFENSE)

Heh heh! Just call me obsessive! To get the wells clean, I washed them with Simple Green and a scrub brush, dried them, and coated the inserts with plastic protectant.