How to clean these wheels?

[KCz Eclipse]

Alright, i bought my car with these wheels on it and the style on my car isnt to bad, but the finish on them is horrible. The wheels i think are supposed to be chrome or something similar, and they are not shinny hardly at all. Theres brown crap and other stuff all over each wheel. Does anyone have any tips on cleaning wheels. Im just trying to get some tips from those who have had similar problems.

Thanks

IMAG0403.jpg picture by KCz91GSX - Photobucket

 

[KyleClyne]

Chrome polish!

 

[bryzenga]

Acid base wheel cleaner at autozone or even wal-mart will cut the brown stuff. Use chrome polish as said after the contaminants are cleaned off.

 

[sniperelite]

You could always give it a quick scrub with orange cleaner or some other degreaser and then just Plasti-Dip the rims.

It is a cheaper solution than powdercoating all the rims but still makes the rims look brand new again...

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Besides looking good, the plasti-dip also protects the rim from asphalt, tar, and other road debris that likes to stick to the rim and corrode it over time.


And best part is, once your done or want your old look back just PEEL IT OFF...

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...and your back to the original finish on the rim, looking just as clean as the day you sprayed the plasti-dip on.

 

[Silver99OZ]

Use a good wheel cleaner or something stronger like Purple Power if they are really bad to clean them. Then polish them with some Mothers metal polish. You wheels look like they are just polished aluminum to me. They will shine right up with a good cleaning and polishing.

 

[se7enine]

Those are aluminum but also might have a clear over them, try using an aluminum rubbing compound and see if it helps. If it has a clear coat and is flaky it won't clean up all the way and you might have to take all that clear off first to clean for best results. Or just sand smooth and paint the wheels.

 

[007jimmy]

acid based wheel cleaners are bad for the rims. if not careful they will tarnish the wheels beyond repair. I recomend getting a bottle of prep-all. It takes a little elbow grease but most of the brake dust and all will come off without harming the rim and then try some mothers mag polish. If that doesnt work you can scuff them up with grey scuff pads and spray them silver or another color of your choice. Use baseball cards around the outside edge of the rim between the tire to avoid getting paint on the tire. I offer wheel repair at my shop so heres a few color ideas
Silver

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white

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satin black

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[chevaholix]

If ya cant clean/polish them glass bead would be the best way to go then jus repaint them make sure they use glass tho or itll eat or rims up ive blasted enough of em to know theres no way round it

 

[dsmrollerz90]

Okay now My gf wants me to paint the rims on her audi, but she wants me to clean up the curb rash. How would I go about doing that. She has a silver B6, so if you guys have any color suggestions post pics I wanna see!!

 

[KyleClyne]

BMW wheels look great 0.0

 

[007jimmy]

Okay now My gf wants me to paint the rims on her audi, but she wants me to clean up the curb rash. How would I go about doing that. She has a silver B6, so if you guys have any color suggestions post pics I wanna see!!

i use 3m sanding discs in the 3 inch variety. the wheels are probably made of aluminum so get the red colored ones. i believe there 80 grit to get the bulk of the curb rash followed by 220 grit sand paper discs also 3 inch. Silver cars look good with almost any color wheel even hot pink so your choices are unlimited. the playing card trick works great on all wheels when it comes to paint but unless you want to paint the rotor and caliper the same color i suggest taking the rims off the car.

btw if you dont think you wanna tackle that job you can ask around at your local used car dealerships to see who does their wheels. im that guy around my area..

 

[KyleClyne]

Wish my wheels weren't flaking.

 

[simons3z]

acid based wheel cleaners are bad for the rims. if not careful they will tarnish the wheels beyond repair. I recomend getting a bottle of prep-all. It takes a little elbow grease but most of the brake dust and all will come off without harming the rim and then try some mothers mag polish. If that doesnt work you can scuff them up with grey scuff pads and spray them silver or another color of your choice. Use baseball cards around the outside edge of the rim between the tire to avoid getting paint on the tire. I offer wheel repair at my shop so heres a few color ideas
Silver

i'll have to remember that the next time i do rims, that i need to use a deck of cards or baseball cards to block the overspray.

 

[rommel rojasgsx]

Dont waste your time with autozone stuff. Find a detailing store and get some acid. What they have is meant for wheels . Dont put it on hot wheels or leave it on long. After that i like never dull or what ever is called.

 

[Tha Fella Dylan]

Is spray paint easy to remove with harming the original finish?

 

[Breezio69]

Is spray paint easy to remove with harming the original finish?

depends on what the finish is... I have removed spray paint from steel wheels with aircraft stripper and it was as easy as wipe on, wait, wipe off... but you cant use that stripper on aluminum because it can put off toxic fumes

also, the steel wheels were chrome underneath...

if they were an aluminum finished wheel youd have no choice but to pretty much damage the finish. youd have to sand em back down or blast em