polished aluminum wheels - best way to clean?

[groebuck]

What is the best way to clean them - and polish so they look da bling bling.

[GearHead_1]

Simple question, are these polished wheels coated?

[Beemerboy]

I agree with GH coated or not

[sullysdetailing]

If they are not coated then normal car wash soap and water. If they are coated P21S or similar

[CharlesW]

If they are clear coated or powder coated, then I would and do use the same products I use on any painted surface.

If they are bare polished aluminum, I have used both Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish and Nevr-Dull® Wadding Polish with good results.

FWIW, bare polished aluminum wheels were a real PIA for me to keep looking the way I wanted them. If I had it to do over today, I would probably spend the money to have them clear coated or powder coated.

[GearHead_1]

I typed a rather long response to this thread and hit post but a blank page returned. In the meantime Charles responded. In reality I couldn't say it much better and his post was to the point.

I have found Pro-Polish to work well on non coated wheels and Powerballs work well in semi-tight places. Dremels will get into the most intricate areas. I like to use a sealant on coated wheels, wax does not last long with the hight heat of the brakes. Though I have used specialized wheel sealants I haven't found the need to go beyond that of a regular paint sealant.

[Beemerboy]

Originally Posted by CharlesW

If they are clear coated or powder coated, then I would and do use the same products I use on any painted surface.

If they are bare polished aluminum, I have used both Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish and Nevr-Dull® Wadding Polish with good results.

FWIW, bare polished aluminum wheels were a real PIA for me to keep looking the way I wanted them. If I had it to do over today, I would probably spend the money to have them clear coated or powder coated.

Originally Posted by GearHead_1

I typed a rather long response to this thread and hit post but a blank page returned. In the meantime Charles responded. In reality I couldn't say it much better and his post was to the point.

I have found Pro-Polish to work well on non coated wheels and Powerballs work well in semi-tight places. Dremels will get into the most intricate areas. I like to use a sealant on coated wheels, wax does not last long with the hight heat of the brakes. Though I have used specialized wheel sealants I haven't found the need to go beyond that of a regular paint sealant.

Both very sound advice for polish besides PB I use Zephyr Pro40 AG I think carries it.

The one thing that you need in really getting polished non-coated aluminum to stand up is heat. The Mothers power ball on a drill do a decent job of that. Some years back I spent some months developing this process. The link to the thread where I talked about it


http://www.detailcity.org/forums/aut...polishing.html

	Poorboys World Products Poorboy’s has made a name around the show circuit for fantastic products at great prices! Its ever-growing popularity is due to word-of-mouth testimonies from novice detailers through auto enthusiasts about the brilliant results no matter what your level of expertise. You’re going to love Poorboy’s!

[groebuck]

oops out of town. I keep looking but I cannot find if they are coated or not - it is a 2008 Trailblazer SS - some of the corners of the wheels are looking brownish but I don't know if it is oxidation or ....

[Poorboy]

Originally Posted by groebuck

oops out of town. I keep looking but I cannot find if they are coated or not - it is a 2008 Trailblazer SS - some of the corners of the wheels are looking brownish but I don't know if it is oxidation or ....

I'd guess coated and the brown stuff brake dust

[Beemerboy]

Originally Posted by groebuck

oops out of town. I keep looking but I cannot find if they are coated or not - it is a 2008 Trailblazer SS - some of the corners of the wheels are looking brownish but I don't know if it is oxidation or ....

I would bet that they are coated, get some PB PP and or something like it and polish a small area, if that turns black they are not coated

	Poorboys World Products Poorboy’s has made a name around the show circuit for fantastic products at great prices! Its ever-growing popularity is due to word-of-mouth testimonies from novice detailers through auto enthusiasts about the brilliant results no matter what your level of expertise. You’re going to love Poorboy’s!

[Pockets]

Like this rim???




On this car




Steve told me to post this up it just came in rollover right by the shop

[Beemerboy]

Pockets

That one is going to take a tad more than buffing to get back in shape!

[groebuck]

Okay so what I see from the gm site is they are


Polished Cast Aluminum Wheels...so if they are polished are they not coated?

[Poorboy]

Originally Posted by groebuck

Okay so what I see from the gm site is they are


Polished Cast Aluminum Wheels...so if they are polished are they not coated?

but do they look like the ones above?

[groebuck]

I dunno I cannot see pictures at work lol