Some detailing ?'s

[Beamer]

Well I heard that if you wax your rims (chrome) that it helps make them brighter, like the same affect as waxing the car. Me and a friend did this to my dads f-150 and it made them look awesome. I'm just wondering if there is any "side affects" to doing this, like does it screw up the rims in any way? And what about the other chrome pieces on the ls, like on the bumper, grill, front bumper and around the doors? Can I do them too?

Or is there some good cleaner or whatever that would be better to help shine them up and maybe even get rid of some of the scratches?

Also, is there any stuff that can make my weather stripping and the rubber around the windshield, rear window, door windows and sunroof like new again and get rid of "fadding"?

Any type of just regular cleaning products to clean the dash, lthr seats and etc. that are really good to use like Meguires(sp), Mothers? I know this is mainly a opinion ? but just thought I'd ask. I've used armor-all products on my other vehicles but since I have kept the LS very clean since I've had it, I have not had to do any detail work to the interior besides a quick wipe down and vacuum since I've had it.

Thanks!

 

[Chris_n_FL]

I usually use Mothers chrome wheel polish on mine but, if i run out of that i hit em with regular meguires car polish or wax. Hasn't hurt mine for over a years worth of doing that so....its all good. I also use the wheel polish on my chrome trim, works real nice. Try using Lexol brand cleaners in the interior. Try finding a rubber restorer for the window trim pieces, i just use whatever i use on my tires.

 

[lsbit]

A lot of wheels are painted and clear coated, so it is just like paint on a car. Some wheels are bare aluminum(polished). It probably wouldn't work nearly as well on those.

 

[Jim Henderson]

Yeah don't use metal polish on clearcoated or painted rims, you will wear out the coating and then have oxidization. For clearcoated or painted rims use a good car wax.

I am pretty sure our rims are clearcoated. I do not like any of the spray on wheel cleaners. I have had two sets of clearcoated rims start to loose their coating with big name brand spray ons that claim safe for clearcoat. Wash it by hand and use a good wax.

You can wax any painted or metal surface with a good wax. If it is real metal you can use a metal polish first. Make sure the metal you are polishing is NOT just plated plastic, otherwise over time you will wear out the plating and then have dull plastic to deal with. A good car wax is better on plated plastics.

I have had good luck with Meguires products in general. They keep changing the names so I am not sure what their latest and greatest product is called. I really liked a brand called Classic Car wax and still use it but I think they are out of business and I am down to my last cans.

I have read on another car site that Zaino Brothers wax and products are excellent but a bit expensive.

I have used Armorall and similar to take the fade out of rubber trim and been ok with it, but I have heard there are better solutions, but I forget what.

Waxing your rims will also make that black brake dust easier to remove.

I like a lot of the Griots garage cleaning products for leather. Also had good luck with I think Tanners leather products.

I also like the California Duster(looks like a big red string mop) for quick dusting inside and out if the car is absolutely dry and just has some dust on it.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

[DLS8K]

Yeah don't use metal polish on clearcoated or painted rims, you will wear out the coating and then have oxidization. For clearcoated or painted rims use a good car wax.

I'll tell you what works best for rims. By some some "mean green" degreaser from a dollar general or dollar store and use that on your rims and tires. Take a bug sponge and clean the wheels with that. Take a brush and clean the tires with that. As for waxing your rims, good luck with that. Aside from taking a large amount of time from your day making sure not to get it in any crevices or the tires, the wax will collect brake dust 10 times worse than just leaving them be. Have you ever noticed after you wax your car that it ends up collecting dust a lot faster than before? Same applies for the wheels. You could spend a good hour out of your day detailing your wheels with wax or you could spend an extra 5 minutes cleaning your wheels once a week. I detail cars for a living so I'll just leave it at this. Wax is for paint on the car......not the wheels.

 

[Angry_Inch]

I hate to go against a professional detailers word, but I use a product called Wheel Wax on my chrome wheels.. mcuh less dust to clean. Make sure you buff it totally clean and you'll have no problems.

 

[DLS8K]

I hate to go against a professional detailers word, but I use a product called Wheel Wax on my chrome wheels.. mcuh less dust to clean. Make sure you buff it totally clean and you'll have no problems.

Actually, if you would have read the quote that I was responding to, I said to not wax rims that are painted, aluminum, etc. Most of those wheels have a clear coat on them. But for chrome, that is a different story. They make products to clean and protect chrome. So you really didn't go against a detailers word.

 

[lsbit]

I am pretty sure our rims are clearcoated. I do not like any of the spray on wheel cleaners. I have had two sets of clearcoated rims start to loose their coating with big name brand spray ons that claim safe for clearcoat. Wash it by hand and use a good wax.

I'll second that! I had this happen to me years ago with a spray on wheel cleaner. What a bummer that was. I only use car wash now, to be safe.

 

[GrayGhost1]

I hate to go against a professional detailers word, but I use a product called Wheel Wax on my chrome wheels.. mcuh less dust to clean. Make sure you buff it totally clean and you'll have no problems.

Wheel Wax is great! I use it on my OZ wheels!

 

[ohioLS]

Griots Garage BBS Wheel Cleaner and a sponge then lint free towel dry and a lot of elbow grease.

-Scott-

 

[Fordman]

Where can you buy that Wheel Wax... I usually clean them with Orange Blast. Then glass cleaner to get them real pretty. I've never put any kind of wax on my wheels. I guess I need to.

 

[GrayGhost1]

Where can you buy that Wheel Wax... I usually clean them with Orange Blast. Then glass cleaner to get them real pretty. I've never put any kind of wax on my wheels. I guess I need to.

You can get it here:

http://www.llsoc.com/V2R1/CyberMerchant_public/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=20