Jubilum

I have a 2013 c6 GS coupe with clear coated chrome aluminum wheels. I had been using Mothers Chrome Wheel cleaner on them a few times. Now my wheels are starting to look crappy! Stupid me now reads the back of the bottle of cleaner and it says in very small print, not to be used on clear coat wheels.. Evidently the cleaner has an acid base and deteriorates the clear coat. Is there way to clear up this error, short of buying new wheels.......Yikes!!! all help would be appreciated..........thanks. Jubilum

windyC6

I think you could probably have them stripped and re-cleared...but its not something you can do at home very easy. best to take it somewhere. How much you ask.....don't know. Probably ain't cheap but i would think that its cheaper than new wheels.

jrose7004

There probably a wheel repair shop in your area that can redo them.

simplegto

I never heard of clear coated chrome. My 2011 has factory chrome wheels and there is no clear coat on them. If you are right just strip the clear off and polish.

ruxvette

I agree about clear coated chrome. An airplane paint stripper will probably take it off.
Or, have them powder coated.

Marcho Polo

are you sure they are not polished aluminum and clear coated? Did they have that option for GS wheels?

ruxvette

GS wheels are chromed aluminum. I wasn't aware they are clear coated...

Marcho Polo

maybe someone put clear coat on them thinking they would preserve them better? Strange.

If they are chrome, and there was clear, I would strip the clear off.

Garry in AZ

I don't think the chrome wheels that came on my 2011 GS are clear coated...
When it comes to cleaning chrome, I just use windex and a soft brush. After a thorough cleaning, a coat of wax will make them easier to clean next time.

Garry

RocketDawg

Yeah, I was going to say the same. I don't think clear coat would even stick to the chrome.

I polish mine with metal polish (NevrDull).

69L79

I don't think "polish" on Chrome wheels is needed. Perhaps, it could cause some damage. I wash the wheels with nothing but water. Dry them thoroughly with a soft towel. Then I apply a few coats of Rejex twice a year. The wheels are five years old. And, look like new. The GS has 40K miles of New Jersey year around driving.

cclive

Assuming that the wheels are factory, they are either clear coated polished aluminum or uncoated chrome. The chrome wheel cleaner would be fine for chrome but would likely damage the clear coat on the polished aluminum wheels, used long term. The tag on the inside of the glovebox door will have a code for the type of wheels on the car...it will be the three digit code that starts with a "Q". If you post it here, we can see what's going on, or you can google the code along with "corvette" and find out also.

KyJim

I have a 2013 with the chrome wheels. They are not clear coated. I polish mine every time I wash with chrome polish. Brake dust and dirt just rinses right off.
You can sand and recoat the aluminum wheels. I saw a video on line the other night on how to do it. I will post it if I find it again

RocketDawg

NevrDull says it's safe for chrome. Not sure it's polish in the true sense of the word (but they call it that), in that I don't think it's abrasive at all. It's cotton wadding with some sort of chemical on it, and I think it's the same as Brasso. I wouldn't use real metal polish on the chrome, such as Meguiar's or Mother's metal polish.

scnhra

Have a 2012 GS with Chrome wheels and they are not factory cleared, neither is the 2013. If they are someone did it. Neverdull works good on bad chrome, you have to polish out the fine scratches though. I use Adams metal polish and a mothers cone/ball. Works great and makes them shine like crazy.

simplegto

That stuff works great on the exhaust tips too.

HBsurfer

i'll bet they are polished aluminum with clear coat. I highly doubt there is clear over chrome. mine are aluminum (above photo) but may be confused as chrome by some. OP should check the code sticker in the glove box to be sure.

ruxvette

Actually, 2013 GS wheels were:
PYC...silver painted aluminum;
PYE...chromed aluminum;
QZW...black aluminum.

cargirl417

So what did you decide to do about the wheels. I paint all of our cars and do all of the airbrush graphics, so I have a lot of experience with clear coating.

let er eat

You do realize that chrome is metal right? Why on earth would you not use a metal polish on it.