2002 convertible wheels
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2014
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2002 convertible wheels
I just picked up my 2002 silver w/ black top vert, 30k miles - excellent condition. Absolutely love the car
Never been a car guy before but I may become one. I have already washed the car twice. Purchased several hundred dollars of cleaners, waxes and polishes and have used most of them.
Now my stupid question. I have no idea what kind of material the wheels are made of. I believe they were stock with the car when new. I believe I read somewhere that the safest thing to use to clean wheels in the Meguiars line up (when you don't know your materials) is the Hot Rims Aluminum Wheel Cleaner. No longer sure where (or even if) I read that. How do I tell what material the wheels are made of for sure? Is that Meguiars product safe no matter what the material of the wheels is???
Thanks for your help.
Never been a car guy before but I may become one. I have already washed the car twice. Purchased several hundred dollars of cleaners, waxes and polishes and have used most of them.
Now my stupid question. I have no idea what kind of material the wheels are made of. I believe they were stock with the car when new. I believe I read somewhere that the safest thing to use to clean wheels in the Meguiars line up (when you don't know your materials) is the Hot Rims Aluminum Wheel Cleaner. No longer sure where (or even if) I read that. How do I tell what material the wheels are made of for sure? Is that Meguiars product safe no matter what the material of the wheels is???
Thanks for your help.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 15
From: Richardson TX
Do they look like this?
If so they're polished aluminum. GM never produced CHROME wheels, if they are the original wheels, and not some aftermarket knock-offs, than they are either polished or painted aluminum (they will be a more flat gray color if painted)
If so they're polished aluminum. GM never produced CHROME wheels, if they are the original wheels, and not some aftermarket knock-offs, than they are either polished or painted aluminum (they will be a more flat gray color if painted)
Last edited by PhysicsDude55; Apr 24, 2014 at 06:43 AM.
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If they are the stock aluminum wheels, soap and water is good for cleaning them. The wheels are clear coated. Then apply a good wax to them to keep them protected. Meguires does make good products for the wheels.
Post up your question in the car care section and you'll get lots of opinions on what to use.
Post up your question in the car care section and you'll get lots of opinions on what to use.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,200
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From: Kannapolis NC
Like Jack said, you're just washing the plastic coating if they're stock. Don't use any aluminum or any other metal cleaner or you'll cloud the clear. If they're chrome, they've been added and you can polish them.
