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?
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?

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
 
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 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
 
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

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!

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.
 

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