wheel care
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 482
Likes: 2
From: Mt. Juliet TN
wheel care
I got my wheels.....
hahaha now comes the post asking questions about care for high polish aluminum. I hope this subject hasn't been talked over some much that this will make my post like.
I have searched some on the forum but didn't find the information I was looking for. I saw posts saying chrome is easier to care and such but I went for aluminum from ccw. I swear I won't put them on until they have some protection on them and they are taking up A LOT of SPACE right now.
I know there has to be some experts out there on ccws. Please chime in and give me some pointers on scratch removal(for future), enhancing the shine, and protection.
hahaha now comes the post asking questions about care for high polish aluminum. I hope this subject hasn't been talked over some much that this will make my post like.
I have searched some on the forum but didn't find the information I was looking for. I saw posts saying chrome is easier to care and such but I went for aluminum from ccw. I swear I won't put them on until they have some protection on them and they are taking up A LOT of SPACE right now.
I know there has to be some experts out there on ccws. Please chime in and give me some pointers on scratch removal(for future), enhancing the shine, and protection.
Uber Waxer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 8,651
Likes: 5
From: Hanover MD
Cruise-In 8-9-10-11 Veteran
CI 9, 10 & 11 Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '08-'10
i have ccw's for a while.
i used mothers billet on them with good results. i would put some zoop seal on them before putting them on especially on the inner barrels of the wheels.
i used mothers billet on them with good results. i would put some zoop seal on them before putting them on especially on the inner barrels of the wheels.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 0
From: Palmdale CA
St. Jude Donor '06
I did some searching for the same question about a week or so ago and what I found is that most people like using the mother's polish along with the powerball. I just bought a set of CCW 505a's last week from a forum member and like you I refused to put them on the car until they were thoroughly cleaned and protected. Bought the powerball, the polish and went to work. Polishing can be a real pain and some have sworn off polished rims because of it. If you use the powerball and your polish of choice, it makes the task so much easier. That's what I did and I followed it up with a few coats of wax to make it easier to clean the rims. The wheels turned out great and now I just use some detail spray every few trips to keep them looking good. One other thing that was recommended to me was using some 3m tar remover. Can't say that I've actually used this but these wheels do seem to attract tar. The wax should make it easier to wipe this stuff off but if it's caked on pretty good, I was told some 3m tar removal product would work wonders without damaging the rim. Hope this helps. 
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 542
Likes: 1
From: Odenton MD
"Polishing can be a real pain and some have sworn off polished rims because of it."
Yep. And one of them has already posted in this thread. Hint, it isn't me. I have been debating the 505s for at least six months and I think the polished ones look best. I just can't go chrome on my Z (personal taste) and am hesitant to go polished because of the labor that goes into the upkeep. Since I'm going to put air tool capability in my garage soon, maybe taking my wheels off to clean them won't be such a pain.
Yep. And one of them has already posted in this thread. Hint, it isn't me. I have been debating the 505s for at least six months and I think the polished ones look best. I just can't go chrome on my Z (personal taste) and am hesitant to go polished because of the labor that goes into the upkeep. Since I'm going to put air tool capability in my garage soon, maybe taking my wheels off to clean them won't be such a pain.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I don't have CCW's but I do have polished wheels. I spent an extra $200 for the set to have the clear coated. In some respects, it makes caring for them harder, but in other repsects it makes it easier.
It's easier because when they are dirty - a simple wipe down with some soap and water or detailing spray makes them sparkle, they don't tarnish like non-clearcoated wheels do.
But it is imperative that clear coated wheels be handled the same way you would handle your paint. After all - clear coat is nothing more than paint with no pigment.
As far as wheel repairs - here is an excellent post with pics on how to fix a polished aluminum wheel from former CF member Evil-Twin. (I miss having him around, but that's another story)
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1377064
One of the tips Bill shared was that he made sure to keep a coat of a high quality protectant like Zaino, Meguiars, etc. on his wheels after they were thoroughly cleaned and polished. I do the same on my clear coated wheels. If they are protected, it sure makes them easier to clean, and if you keep them clean, upkeep is a lot easier than having to take them off and perform a thorough clean and polishing.
It's easier because when they are dirty - a simple wipe down with some soap and water or detailing spray makes them sparkle, they don't tarnish like non-clearcoated wheels do.
But it is imperative that clear coated wheels be handled the same way you would handle your paint. After all - clear coat is nothing more than paint with no pigment.
As far as wheel repairs - here is an excellent post with pics on how to fix a polished aluminum wheel from former CF member Evil-Twin. (I miss having him around, but that's another story)
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1377064
One of the tips Bill shared was that he made sure to keep a coat of a high quality protectant like Zaino, Meguiars, etc. on his wheels after they were thoroughly cleaned and polished. I do the same on my clear coated wheels. If they are protected, it sure makes them easier to clean, and if you keep them clean, upkeep is a lot easier than having to take them off and perform a thorough clean and polishing.
Guest
Posts: n/a
about Bill aka Evil-Twin...I curbed one of my polished IForged the other day and was able to repair it to perfection using Bill's post, saved myself several hundred $$$ and learned a lot in the process. Prior to curbing the wheel I had been really kicking myself for not getting the lips chromed but I sure was thankful that they were just polished when it came time to repair one.Total PITA to clean but so easy to repair!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 47,647
Likes: 1
From: Queens, New York Life begins at 183 mph....
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Hi LaDonna!!!
Congratulations on the CCW's!!!
I've been using mother's polish as well and although its labor intensive, it gets the job done. I've also been putting a bit of zaino on them afterwards to keep from getting water spots if I hit a puddle. I'm going to buy a powerball and see if that helps with the polishing.
A forum friend of mine has said that Wizard's wheel polish is really good, I just haven't gotten around to buying some. Anyone try it?
Congratulations on the CCW's!!!
I've been using mother's polish as well and although its labor intensive, it gets the job done. I've also been putting a bit of zaino on them afterwards to keep from getting water spots if I hit a puddle. I'm going to buy a powerball and see if that helps with the polishing.
A forum friend of mine has said that Wizard's wheel polish is really good, I just haven't gotten around to buying some. Anyone try it?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
[QUOTE=blacksedan87]I don't have CCW's but I do have polished wheels. I spent an extra $200 for the set to have the clear coated. In some respects, it makes caring for them harder, but in other repsects it makes it easier.
It's easier because when they are dirty - a simple wipe down with some soap and water or detailing spray makes them sparkle, they don't tarnish like non-clearcoated wheels do.
But it is imperative that clear coated wheels be handled the same way you would handle your paint. After all - clear coat is nothing more than paint with no pigment.
I emphatically agree!
It's easier because when they are dirty - a simple wipe down with some soap and water or detailing spray makes them sparkle, they don't tarnish like non-clearcoated wheels do.
But it is imperative that clear coated wheels be handled the same way you would handle your paint. After all - clear coat is nothing more than paint with no pigment.
I emphatically agree!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 482
Likes: 2
From: Mt. Juliet TN
Thanks for all the GREAT infor guys!! Has anyone tried a product called Wheel Wax? Auto Zone sells this product. I did have a webpage to it open but accidentally closed it out or else I would include a link here. I'm at work hehehe....so I can't go back to the page right now.
