Cleaning the chrome

[Chate]

So as Sean and Ben can attest to, my chrome rims often look like gunmetal by the time i get around to washing the car due to school and living in student housing. So, here's the dilemma- chrome rims don't get clean the brake dust and grime is baked on there...

Is there anything that can be done? I've tried those spray on foaming things and they dont do shit, i could scrub, and that works, but it'll just dull the rim overall.
Any suggestions for products or people that can make them rims shine again? I've read that putting wax on them once their clean keeps em clean longer...but getting to that point is easier said than done :(

[joedls]

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/05208.html

[Vettezuki]

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/05208.html

I agree. I also use the rotating ball attachment you can put on an electric drill to make it go a little faster.

[94cobra69ss396]

I use this Armorall wheel cleaner and it works great. Just make sure you don't leave it on too long. Spray it on one rim and then clean that rim and rinse well. If you leave it on too long it leaves a white residue on the rim that is really hard to get off (at least on aluminum). I also use it to get the black carbon build up off my chrome exhaust tips.

http://www.armorall.com/products/view_product.php?product_id=28&main_group=3&category_index=wheel

[SeanPlunk]

Chate,

I would also highly recommend doing a clay bar on your car. Adam and I both did our cars and it made a huge difference. I bet this would be especially pronounced with a black car. I'll even help if you want. Are you going to be in town at all the next couple weeks?

[Chate]

I read about clay bar-ing, but people say crap like "it damages clearcoat" and i dont wanna get into it if i dont know what i'm doing...so any help is appreciated. I'll be back from my 2 month exile this weekend till jan4! woohoo!

[Vettezuki]

I read about clay bar-ing, but people say crap like "it damages clearcoat" and i dont wanna get into it if i dont know what i'm doing...so any help is appreciated. I'll be back from my 2 month exile this weekend till jan4! woohoo!

I think you'd have to be a pretty serious crack head to damage your clear coat with a clay bar.

[Leedom]

I agree. Sean watched a how-to video on youtube that Meguire's Made and explained the whole process. It is quite easy really. I have heard people say it is hard and people say it is a mess. Unless I was doing something wrong it was neither for Sean and I.

[Vettezuki]

I agree. Sean watched a how-to video on youtube that Meguire's Made and explained the whole process. It is quite easy really. I have heard people say it is hard and people say it is a mess. Unless I was doing something wrong it was neither for Sean and I.

Old school waxing, especially with a power buffer is way more dangerous.

[BRUTAL64]

I think you'd have to be a pretty serious crack head to damage your clear coat with a clay bar.

Not "crack head" but the term would be "tweaker".:smack:


I've seen them destroy just about anything.:censored:

[Vettezuki]

Not "crack head" but the term would be "tweaker".:smack:


I've seen them destroy just about anything.:censored:

A tweaker could ruin clear coat with a wet sponge. . .

[big2bird]

I think you'd have to be a pretty serious crack head to damage your clear coat with a clay bar.

That's a fact. Clay bar is as safe as you can get.;)

[ZexGX]

Clean with favorite spray-on wheel cleaner, rinse off, soapy old rag and water, rinse.

Polishing:
Any polish will work - I've used NuFinish and Metal Gloss with good results- although I hear the Mothers and Turtle Wax polish work great.

Sealing:
Metal Gloss sealer - made my chrome wheels feel waxed when cleaned and it lasts. Don't know how it works but this stuff is great - sorta pricey though. Picked it up at the L.A. Auto Show in the aftermarket section with a nice discount. http://www.metalgloss.com/