Since these wheels are not coated I have been avoiding washing my car since the day I got them. Well, It has to be done today before we get down to freezing. My question is will I get water spots on the inside of the wheels if I don't get them completely dry? Do I need to polish them everytime I wash them, and does it hurt them if I don't wipe the slight amount of brake dust off them everytime I drive the car? I want to keep these wheels looking good but they didn't start off as shiny as some of the CF members have theirs. I used wheel wax on them before I put them on but I heard I should use ZOOP or semi-chrome. Thanks for your thoughts, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

Sorry about posting this in Tech, I seriously thought I was in General. Mod's feel free to move if you like

 

I've got the CCW classics and I wash them separately from the rest of the car. I do the wheels first with a fresh bucket filled with the water and the same Zaino car wash soap that I wash the car with. I keep them really wet, and use a car wash mitt (not the same one that I wash the car with). Then I wash the car, while spraying the wheels to keep them from drying, and spotting. Then I'll dry it (the car and the wheels) with a leaf blower, to get all of the water off of everything, and then Microfiber/Field Crest the car(towel dry it). Then I just Zaino them just like the rest of the car. This helps to keep the brake dust off of them, and easier to clean the next time. Sorry for the novel, but I hope that it helped.

 

Thanks for the info. I have a leaf blower but never tried to use it on my car. I will try and see how it works for me. Thanks again!

 

I have a set that are polished beyond how they come from the manufacturer. I wash them just like the rest of the car. From time to time I do need to hit them with the mothers and they come out as good as new. No worries!

 

If and when necessary, Mothers (my favorite) or similar metal polish will clean up uncoated aluminum quite well, preparing for your preferred "wax."

All the best.

 

The semichrome polish works real well. I only polish mine every few months. Otherwise I wash & dry them with the car. I then follow that up with some glass cleaner to remove any water spots. In between washings I might hit them with some more glass cleaner if they start looking dirty.

 

Greetings, n2spd

I`ve had the classic style CCW big tire/rim package on my car for almost 2yrs now. My Harley buddies are constantly always asking me if I had my wheels chromed (jealous), which they aren`t! I only have to polish my rims aprox 1 time a year, here`s how I do it:

(1.)Things you will need:Hand drill, Buffer wheels for hand drill, masking or duct tape, Mothers bilet polish, Maguiar`s NXT wax, foam or terry cloth applicators, terry cloth or micro towels)

(2.) I buy 8 buffer wheels w/hand drill shafts (2 for each wheel) at Home Depot, Lowe`s, Etc.
Hint: since often several stages/variations of wheels are available "look at the package to make sure that you get the correct wheel for "finish polishing", not sure if that`s the exact verbage on the package but I think you get my drift!
(3.) Clean the rims thoroughly "I clean-em twice." Now it`s time to polish. By my experience "mothers bilet polish" works the best, (even better than reg mothers polish.) I like to take the rims/tires off the car but it can be done with the car jacked up as well.
(4.) Now, use 1 buffer wheel (make sure you thoroughly tape off the buffer wheel shaft, drill chuck and any exposed metal areas on the drill/buffer wheel) and polish with the mothers bilet wiping/buffing the exess polish off with a clean terry cloth towel when done.
Next I use a 2ed clean buffer wheel for the final buff, followed by hand buffing with a terry cloth towel.
(5.) wash wheel again to remove residual cloth fibers, etc.
(6.) Now wax with Maguiar`s NXT wax (IMO, I`ve found that this polymer type wax provides a bitchin shine/luster and seems to last a lot longer than standard type waxes.) Personally I wax 5 coats, but that`s me! You can probably get by with just a couple.
(7.) As mentioned above, using this system I only re-polish my rims once a year, occasionally waxing from time to time with the Maguiar`s booster wax.
(8.) One last helpful hint: When washing your wheels, rinse thoroughly (twice) before washing. When washing I use a small dab of Maguair`s NXT car wash (has polymers too) on a med sized "clean" sponge ONLY, no wheel cleaner/sprays, brushes which tend to strip wax after a few washes, rinsing sponge and adding another dab of NXT car wash after each wheel. I thoroughly blow dry my wheels with a high pressure nozle (leaf blower will also work) which eliminates any hard water spots.
Using this method you will find that dirt and brake dust "wipes right off" without scrubbing, etc. Also.. make sure that you use a different wash pad for cleaning the rest of the car. Clean both thoroughly after use and keep in zip lock bags.

Well, that`s my method of keeping my wheels looking "like chrome" give it a try, I guarantee people will keep asking you "are you sure these wheels aren`t chromed!"

Cheers, Rick

 

Thanks Rick! I made a copy of your post and soon as get all the stuff I need I will try it.

 

Thanks to everyone for their help

 

Make some shower caps . four industrial sized trash bags and four bungies should do it.. Its a life time investement. dont jack the car up , just throw over the top and gather where the tire contacts the ground throw a bungie around the bottom.

 

But don't do it when the brakes are hot...

 

I have been thinking about doing something similar.....was going to get some vinyl and make some covers for them