How to clean wheels.
#1
How to clean wheels.
I just put my IROC wheels on and they are filthy. I tried using degreaser and a power washer they were a little bit cleaner but i want them to look a new as possible any suggestions?
#2
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Re: How to clean wheels.
Most likely, they've dulled. I have the same year and wash mine every year but they still look dull. I just brought them in to be refinished. The do it yourself posts here are awesome but I don't have time to drive my car, let alone the many hours it will take to make them look great. I think the members name is Cavazo? here.
This was my cars first time out of the garage early July this year and it hadn't been washed/waxed yet. Look at the 'regularly' cleaned wheels and their (lack of) shine.
This was my cars first time out of the garage early July this year and it hadn't been washed/waxed yet. Look at the 'regularly' cleaned wheels and their (lack of) shine.
#3
Re: How to clean wheels.
Yeah I have the same style rims as you so I dont think they are meant to be polished to a mirror finish I think??? At least thats not what am wanting. I want the silver to look brighter along with the black lines.
#4
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Milltown, NJ
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Car: 86 iroc, 02 v6 camaro
Engine: 350 HSR, 3800 V6
Transmission: T56, WCT5
Axle/Gears: 9in 4.11 posi, 3.23 LSD
Re: How to clean wheels.
you can try some mothers mag polish, it should bring them out decently and remove some oxidation
#5
Re: How to clean wheels.
They were not "meant" to have a mirror shine, but they can with (many) hours of wet sanding then polishing.
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Car: 86 iroc, 02 v6 camaro
Engine: 350 HSR, 3800 V6
Transmission: T56, WCT5
Axle/Gears: 9in 4.11 posi, 3.23 LSD
Re: How to clean wheels.
agreeed butttttt they did polish my friends GTA crosslace lips pretty well (to my surprise) . it removes oxidation from the clear which is the first thing to deteriorate, if the clear hasnt pealed this should work fairly well.
obv like you stated wet sanding would be the best given the OP has the will and time to freshen up older rims.
#7
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Car: 1988 camaro sports coupe
Engine: Fast Burn 385
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt w/ 3.27 gears
Re: How to clean wheels.
Metal polish is best used on bare metal. If the rag doesnt turn black when you polish the metal, your hitting a clearcoat. If the clearcoat is weathered, like most 20+ year old wheels, a rubbing/polishing compound for paint will give you the best results. A metal polish will dull the clearcoat on a polished paint. On a weathered surface, it might polish the clearcoat some, but something to address the clearcoat would work better. If its too far gone, the clear that is, it will yellow the wheel no matter what you do.
You can just strip them and re paint/re clear the wheels. With my first set of Z28 wheels, I did that and they looked great. I actually left them bare aluminum and hand polished them when i washed the car. My second set had curb marks that I needed removed, so I polished them. I've actually got a set of single line IROCs in the garage now. Not sure if I polish them or not.
You can just strip them and re paint/re clear the wheels. With my first set of Z28 wheels, I did that and they looked great. I actually left them bare aluminum and hand polished them when i washed the car. My second set had curb marks that I needed removed, so I polished them. I've actually got a set of single line IROCs in the garage now. Not sure if I polish them or not.
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#8
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Re: How to clean wheels.
Metal polish is best used on bare metal. If the rag doesnt turn black when you polish the metal, your hitting a clearcoat. If the clearcoat is weathered, like most 20+ year old wheels, a rubbing/polishing compound for paint will give you the best results. A metal polish will dull the clearcoat on a polished paint. On a weathered surface, it might polish the clearcoat some, but something to address the clearcoat would work better. If its too far gone, the clear that is, it will yellow the wheel no matter what you do.
You can just strip them and re paint/re clear the wheels. With my first set of Z28 wheels, I did that and they looked great. I actually left them bare aluminum and hand polished them when i washed the car. My second set had curb marks that I needed removed, so I polished them. I've actually got a set of single line IROCs in the garage now. Not sure if I polish them or not.
You can just strip them and re paint/re clear the wheels. With my first set of Z28 wheels, I did that and they looked great. I actually left them bare aluminum and hand polished them when i washed the car. My second set had curb marks that I needed removed, so I polished them. I've actually got a set of single line IROCs in the garage now. Not sure if I polish them or not.
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