Hey,

I am going to be doing the spring detailing tomorrow and Friday. What is the best way to protect the shine that my aluminum wheels have now? I want to keep them shinning and protect them from the road, break dust, the outdoor elements, etc.

Thank you.

 

I got a product at a local store. Wet the tire and rim, spray on foam, let it sit for a couple of minutes, rinse, dry rim. Used last weekend, satisfied.

There are several products to choose from, I personally like the foam. I also just use a separate bucket and sponge with hot water and soap. Just rinse well and dry.

 

Don't drive it.


Seriously, there are any number of products for wheels and wheel care. Find the one you like.

 

Ya, but how boring is that?

 

I've bought several different polish based products over the years on hype or every detailer & specialty shop on the planet loves and sells it or "looky how shiny I made the bottom of this here beer can" demonstrations. They all seem to work about the same regardless of price, notoriety, or beer can shinyness.

The brands that really succeed are the ones that manage to develop a tribe of passionate followers.

I'm still waiting for someone to figure out how to bottle elbow grease ...

 

That would be epically awesome!!

 

Forgot. Windex with elbow grease works well and gives the same shine as the more $$ products. Ultimately, it's your personal choice. Good luck.

 

Collinite makes one of the longest lasting waxes out there for automobiles & the boating industry. They get named on just about every detailing site. MB, Autopia, etc.

I picked up some Collinite Metal Wax last year and it works for me. You can buy it from a supporting vendor. I drive my car, its not a garage queen, and the product does seem to keep the dirt away. It acts just like Mother's on alum wheels, turning the rag black when you apply. http://www.autogeek.net/collinite-metal-wax.html

BTW, be careful of any product that you just spray on, and it removes the dirt without any work. Check the ingredients as there must be something that is eating away the dirt without scrubbing.

My $.02

 

Assuming you have original aluminum wheels, use a product like mothers wheel polish for almost chrome shine, with some elbow grease. If you use a spray on product, make certain it's safe for aluminum wheels, many wheel cleaners have an acid base that will discolor your wheels something ugly !!!
u

 

I just did a touch-up on my wheels while it was on the lift and used Never Dull. It comes it wads. I've used it on silver as well but it worked great on the wheels.

 

I use Mothers mag wheel cleaner and polish,I have American Racing rims on her,it really cleans and polishes the wheels,I love it!

 

http://www.pitstopinternational.com/chrome-guard.html

 

Weren't original aluminum wheels clear coated!?!?!?!?! (YES!!!). So unless your clear coat is gone the wheels won't shine like polished aluminum. If clear coat is still there just wash and wax, any aluminum polish is a waste of money and time...............

 

I don't think so. I tried the polish today and I got the black residue.

 

I just polished, but it does not look like it is really any different. I was expecting a more of a luster/deep shine in the polished aluminum. Am I doing something wrong?

I get the black residue, but it does not look any better. These wheels look good, but I was hoping for great.

 

"Chrome look" alloy requres the surface be absolutely smooth, then polished. I sand wet all the way to 1500 before any polish hits the surface if I wish the part to really pop.... there's absolutely no shortcutting the process I have yet found short of sending them out to a pro. Post up some pics of what they look like now... we'll tell you how many finger cramps/blisters lay between you and nirvana.

 

You need to have a real close look at the rims.
If they are showing any "turning lines" from the manufacturing, that's more or less a big scratch that needs to be dealt with.
Polishing is removing the scratches by using finer and finer grits
Buffing is the "color" part where you try to bring out the depth
You can polish something down to 1000 grit and it may still be dull, then buff it to bring out the shine (so to speak)

Chances are your trying to buff (mothers, flitz, blue-magic, etc) and the surface is still too "rough" so really you just end up with shiny turning lines.

Take a good look at the rim, run your nail across it or something like a plastic pen cap. If you feel any lines, the best your can hope for is a "bright" appearance by using any of the aluminum "polishes"

If you want better, you'll need to start sanding or Polishing using tripoli compound to smooth everything down, removing all turning lines and scratches, then move on to the color compounds, then you can look for mirror type finishes

AND there is a limit to the casting. Aluminum has a grain and depending on the grade and manufacturing method, sometimes during buffing you hit a point where the grain is showing (looks like dots stained into the surface but are perfectly smooth and scratch free) and it won't matter what you do after you can't make that go away
Mooser

Markids77 got there first

 

Probably the best detailing money I've ever spent.....couldn't agree more. P.S. .... easy cleaning afterwards also.....

 

I am scared to death to try sanding my wheels. They are original and I don't want to mess them up. Is there anyone here who has done this and lives near by?

 

Used Mother's wheel polish too and then got the 2 step process on wheel cleaners from Adams and man what a different. Adams process is also easy and leaves a slicker shine IMHO.