V8lust

I have an '06 coupe with factory polished aluminum wheels. I've been cleaning them for years with various brands of wheel cleaner spray. I spray it on, brush it a bit with a big soft brush, and then hose it off. That simple process has seemed to work well.

Recently, I've seen some minor pitting or corrosion in a few "corners" where the spokes meet the wheel. Nothing too noticeable, but I'd like to clean it up if it's safe to do that. I presume that my factory wheels are clear-coated. (Anybody know for sure?) I've been thinking about getting some aluminum polish, cleaning up these corners by polishing them out with a rag, then maybe "painting" some clear nail polish over the area so not to invite additional corrosion on the bare, just-cleaned aluminum.

That a good idea? Maybe better to just leave it be?

Any advice or comments would be appreciated. Thanks

Note: I had posted this in the "Tires Wheels" general forum, with more than 100 views and zero suggestions, I'm hoping this is a better place for this sort of advice. Thanks if you can offer some.

CheckeredFlag

this may help:
http://www.autogeek.net/how-to-clean...at-wheels.html

0Adam's Polish

Those wheels are indeed clear coated, so you can treat them just as you would any painted surface. A metal polish won't yield you any results as they are made for raw metal.

Is it actual pitting/corrosion, or possibly just a heavy build up of brake dust? That's pretty typical in areas that you're describing that are tough to clean thoroughly.

Can you post some close up pictures?

0Killrwheels@Autogeek

1. Use a good, safe wheel cleaner
2. Use a paint cleansing lotion or paint polish as needed
3. Use a ceramic based coating to protect

This is the safest, and best line of attack. There are companies that recondition wheels when the clearcoat fails.

V8lust

Thanks folks. And Nick, just so you know, my wheels are dirty right now and its been raining, so I can't take a picture that would show my problem.

Killrwheels, I'm unfamiliar with "ceramic based coating" -- is there a brand name for one you recall? I guess I should use one of those drill/ball things with both the paint cleansing lotion and ceramic coating?