HoldHard

So the project is to clean up the wheels behind the spokes that can be seen at the car show. With stock brake pads on the Z06 drivetrain, this area gets really, really dirty! Reduced dust pads are available but before those get installed, you still have to clean up the wheels.

Since I'm the second owner of this 2013, it appears that this process has never been done.

The first step was to take the wheels off the car and bring them inside where they could be worked on easily. So let's start with the right rear wheel. Some "before" pictures..... showing some nasty stains, asphalt hunks and ground in dirt.... These were taken after a brief wipedown.







First pass was with a Mother's cone-style PowerBall and some Simple Green which took off most of the grime but left the stains in place. Have ordered some P21S Wheel Cleaner Gel and that will arrive on Wednesday. Will have to see how that does.

To be continued.....

HH

User Omega

I just use chrome wheel cleaner after a good scrub. The cheaper the better. Then a quick once over with the hose and they will look like new.

psp6158

I fought with this for a while myself, and found Pinnacle wheel cleaner and one of the things I learned here on the forum is the speed master wheel brush.(large). The brush is incredible, gets behind the spokes, around calipers etc. I also put rejex on the barrels after cleaning which helps tremendously.

seijack

No need for all the fancy cleaners, all you need is some simple green, 0000 steel wool...

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-cleaning.html

HoldHard

Thanks.... Anybody use the stuff from Home Depot? Homax #4/0 12 Pad Steel Wool, Super Fine Grade





HH

RC4G

Everyone understands that OEM ZR1 wheel barrels are painted, not chrome, right?

Simple Green, chrome polish, steel wool are all going to damage the paint.

Icecap

While we are on this topic here is what not to do from my own experience. My wheel barrels were terribly dirty and I wanted to clean them without taking the wheels off. I had a brain fart and thought I'd clean them with my 3,000 psi pressure washer. Big mistake! Every minute rock chip allowed the pressure stream to get under the paint and I now have several dime sized patches where the paint was blown off. Now I need to find an acceptable cosmetic repair for my folly.

seijack

Yes we do, follow the link in my post above and read the thread..

seijack

Should be good to use, no need to scrub hard. It will clean and not damage the paint..

LFZ

Make sure you use it on the front of the wheel too.

HoldHard

True to some extent.... seeing that it's already "damaged" from the brake fluid, asphalt chunks and rotor dust....

You just have to keep this in mind when using the 0000 steel wool and not get too aggressive in a single spot (as was done in the two spots on the left side of the first picture.... live and learn.... won't do that on the next three).

This is how the first one turned out. IMHO a huge improvement over the shape it was in yesterday. Will get it back on the car and then finish the chrome side.

HH

RC4G

FWIW, I would go with brass/bronze wool instead of steel wool.

Welker1

Have used this on the barrels of chrome & aluminum wheels, as well as other aluminum parts many times over the years when getting ready for shows. Just used some on my exhaust tips to clean them up; took only minutes to get them shining like new again. Works great, no scratches and easily removes any stains, grim & dirt. Follow up with a chrome polish or wax.

seijack

Yes, the key here is a light touch, about as much pressure as you would put on a wax pad is all you need, go with the machining marks, never across. I am really thinking of stripping the paint down to the chrome on my wheels this winter.....guess what happens when u have your wheels balanced...yess...the paint does come off in places.... I had an aftermarket set of wheels on my C4 ...all chrome front and back...looked amazing...never use the steel wool on the front of the wheel, only the back...the front is a mirror finish and yes it will scratch...

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HoldHard

Left rear completed but still just a bit damp..... the after picture. Next the fronts.... they should be much worse....

HH

bop

I did my 13 GS wheels and under the gray paint was a chrome wheel. Used paint remover and 00 steel wool to strip the paint off. They are a lot less trouble to keep clean now.

HoldHard

The prediction was correct.... they are in worse shape than the rears.

Left front... before and after.

Big improvement but still a couple of dark marks that did not come out. Have another product P21S Gel that should arrive today. Will see if that takes the last couple of stains off.

Also ordered Wheel Wax that is a polymers and resins, heat resistant sealant and carnuba wax coating specifically designed for wheels (link). That's scheduled to arrive on Thursday.

Note to self... clean the lug nut area on the wheel.... you missed that part.....

HH

HoldHard

Before and After

Thanks to all those who added helpful information to this thread.

The constructive advice was greatly appreciated.... The wheels didn't come out anywhere near perfect but they are a huge improvement over what I started with....

To those that wanted me to take a wire brush to the chrome side of the wheels....

On to the engine bay cleanup.....

HH

jaki30

Used steel wool (0000), Simple Green and Turtle Bug and Tar Remover.
Worked great and took all the stains off the OEM used Spyder wheels I bought for my 2013.
No need to scrub really hard, just rinse, re apply, scrub and rinse. Did this 2-3 times on each wheel and they are fantastic.
Would post pictures, but, Photo Bucket is now charging for hosting and I just don't post enough pics to justify the cost.

Virtual Geezer

Kids: Do not try this at home!