How To Clean Rims

[brandon_guzzo]

I just ordered new gunner 6 chrome rims and new tires. I will only be running these in the summer and the stock ones in the winter. what is a good way to clean them? What type of product should I use? and my main Question how do i prevent PEELING or PITTING? Any ideas

 

Thanks

Brandon

[Nappers]

If they are indeed chrome, a good chrome wheel cleaner like Meguiar's Hot Rims Chrome Wheel cleaner is a good start. Follow with a coat of wax of your choice (I use Meguiar's M21 or NXT)

 

Make sure they are not chromed then clear coated as some chrome wheel cleaners are too aggressive for clear coats.

 

If they are not dirty or major brake dust, then just a good soaping with your car wash should work in a pinch.

 

If you use a wheel cleaner, most of them strip the wax and will need to be waxed again.

 

Find out from the manufacturer if they are chromed or chromed and clear coated. Clear coat is just like paint (most.....) and can be treated as paint (even clay them).

[RyanbabZ71]

I like poorboys wheel sealant.

 

www.poorboysworld.com

[00_Extended]

Even on my curent chrome clads or any other wheel i want to keep nice I use seperate bucket with as hot of water as I can stand to have my hand in. I have some very soft brushes and micro fiber cloths. I wash the wheels with dawn dish soap which cuts through grease and junk.

 

I then dry them off and wipe down with micro fiber and then give them a wax with some spray on NXT. It's easy, cheap and very effective. They get waxed at each cleaning and the NXT does build up or cause white junk to build up or chalking.

 

I use this method on chrome, steel, painted, cleared but not on machined. Machined I used hot soapy water and the cleaning brushes minus the wax.

[brandon_guzzo]

Alright thanks another concern is i wash my truck about once everyweek do i need to take the rims off to clean in behind them or will the brake dust cause peeling also? Or should waxing front and back before i put them on and then again when i take them off before winter suffice.

 

Thanks

Brandon

[GPGuy]

I use Mother's Wheel Cleaner paste as they work on both chrome and clearcoated alloy wheels and then as has been suggested, coat with some wax. I used Meguiar's NXT myself and it works and lasts quite well.

[jblakeney]

I do not use any fancy chemicals....... Just plain old 3M car wash soap(i think the bottle says Car Shampoo thou). Or some high pressure car was soap from my car wash (only put 1 small spoon full in you know that LONG spoon your wife gives ya to eat your cereal with sometimes haha).

 

Dish washing detergent removes wax at a faster rate, than car wash soap. At least twice a year I wax my rims (front and back side).... It helps getting off brake dust.... I learned that before ceramics came on the market for light vehicles.... If they are waxed the brake dust comes OFF MUCH easier!!

 

Jbo

[00_Extended]

Dish washing detergent removes wax at a faster rate, than car wash soap.

 

That is why I use detergent and it's dawn to boot. It also removes grease, grime, road salts and other stuff and with the NXT i can wax and shine up a wheel in just minute or two.

[FarmerDave]

Yes I would recommend taking the wheels off and cleaning the inside, I do this once a year for my own truck. All kinds of crud accumulates back there!!!!

[03YD163]

A simple solution is also a microfiber and some Stoner's Invisible Glass (Or any glass cleaner). My 95 Impala SS has chrome stock wheels and it doesn't get that dirty, but after the wash I go around to each wheel with glass cleaner and a microfiber, makes em look like glass . I NEVER, and would never suggest you use wheel cleaner. When I got my wheels chromed the owner of the place strongly suggested never to use any of the sort, just because some of them do affect the clear coat even if they say they don't. And from the sound of it you wash your truck enough to not have to worry about any serious build up.

[Snow White]

windex, you wouldn't believe how good it works... super mild abrasive, used it for decades.

[jblakeney]

windex, you wouldn't believe how good it works... super mild abrasive, used it for decades.

 

Windex.... I would compare it to WD-40 in terms of multiple uses.............. Seems their are more than just glass uses for that blue fluid.....

 

Just do not get the bright idea to use it in your washer fluid as a complete replacement. It will KILL the rubber in the blades..

 

Jbo