Polish OEM wheels with Mother's PowerBall

cmoore74 · November 23, 2006

Hi All,

I'd like to polish the OEM wheels which I believe have a clear-coat finish before I wax them. I was thinking of using a Mother's PowerBall.

Has anyone polished up the OEM wheels (with clear-coat) using the PowerBall with good results? If so, I was thinking I would NOT want to use the metal polish as it is a clear-coat finish. Should I use a cleaner wax or buffing compound or maybe even the Mother's PowerPlastic polish?

Sierra 05 · November 24, 2006

To be honest with you, polishing them is not a bad idea, however, I would recommend using the same polish used on the truck and following up with a wax. They will shine better, protect against UV rays, and be easier to wash up. Polishing with the ball could be done if using the described manner, just follow up with wax.

Now, if they were unclear wheels, like polished aluminum, the using the powerball with an aluminum polish followed by wax is the easiest wayand only way.

If they were Chrome, then use chrome polish and fllow with wax.

Just keep in mind there are different finishes on wheels anymore.

If you have clear coated wheels, the polishing with aluminum polish will just take time away from you, and you will have not really accomplished what you really started to accomplish in the first place. The clear coat is the finish.

Hope it helps.

hcvone · November 29, 2006

If your wheels are clear coated, most are, then don't use anything to abrasive on them, you can clay them to clean them, once cleaned keep a good coat of "wax" on them, synthetic waxes will last 5 times longer than carnauba waxes.

Nappers · December 4, 2006

I used cleaner wax on mine by hand (took wheels off one at a time) and then coated them with NXT wax, they looked great. They are machine clear coated. I used chrome polish on the center cap and lug nuts and they also look great. My local Les Schwab guy who sold me the wheels say they look better than ones pulled off with less time even through the winter. Simple maintenance I say. This procedure took me about an hour and a half including removing the wheels, I rotated them just for giggles.

Just be careful with the power ball and use a non abrasive cleaners or ones used for paint as the clear coat is well....a paint.

I use Meguiars all wheel cleaner in between thorough cleanings.

Meguiars sells a wheel brightner for proffesionals through their website, check it out. Great forum too for detailing your ride. You can learn a lot by the guys and gals who keep their rides swirl free using their stuff.

Aaron