Cleaning Chrome wheels

J3FF said:
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?
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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...
 
^ 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.?
 
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.
 
Simoniz:All in One Car Cleaning Center.

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=1408474396669473&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474396670271&bmUID=1158755242586&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524443280953&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=1408474396670242&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474396670271&bmUID=1158720152807&FOLDER<>browsePath=2534374303517494&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.:D

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!:D

Hope my links helps you.

Trebor.:cool:
 
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!:D :p

Trebor.:cool:
 
Husker Z said:
What does that stuff do to the clear coat on the rims?
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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).
 
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. :)

2003 Lincoln LS Chrome Wheel (2).jpg
 
ToddG said:
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).
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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
 
Iancusp said:
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
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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!)

rear2.jpg


rims3.jpg
 
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.
 
"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)! :D
 
man, that stuff did the trick, I had the same problem and my wheels are back to shining.





:)
 
RJCC, great! They're looking good!

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