C7 General Discussion General C7 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Keeping wheels clean

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 2, 2023 | 01:18 PM
  #1  
Garshev's Avatar
Garshev
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 32
Likes: 5
Default Keeping wheels clean

I bought a set of chrome GS wheels for my c7 GS. They are a nice set but arrived with lots of caked on brake dust, road oil stains and who knows what else on the inside barrels. After cleaning them for hours I have them pretty much clean. I was surprised to find they are just bare or raw aluminum. My factory silver painted rims have a gray smooth painted finish which is easy to clean and is impervious to stains. I’m looking for ideas to coat the barrels on the chrome rims to make them easy to clean. Help!
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2023 | 01:44 PM
  #2  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,711
Likes: 24,676
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

If they are truly raw aluminum, perhaps some ceramic coating would help? Not sure how it would work on bare aluminum.
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2023 | 02:03 PM
  #3  
jwmgr8's Avatar
jwmgr8
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Community Influencer
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,798
Likes: 314
From: Santa Fe Tx
Default

i had my After Market Aluminum Wheels Ceramic coated and it appears to keep them clean. I also changed brake pads to low dust pads which made a hell of a difference.I did not notice any reduced stopping just no dust
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2023 | 09:29 AM
  #4  
Rabbi's Avatar
Rabbi
Banned Scam/Spammer
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,381
Likes: 492
From: Central Fl. Leesburg
Default

I painted the barrels flat black when I showed the C5, also ceramic brake pads.
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2023 | 09:43 AM
  #5  
bambihunter's Avatar
bambihunter
Advanced
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 99
Likes: 9
From: Lanesville Indiana
Default

I use 303 Protectorant (read instructions! Do NOT slop it onto treads!) and lots of the dust sheds.
Reply
Old Oct 3, 2023 | 11:57 PM
  #6  
Avanti's Avatar
Avanti
Race Director
25 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,918
Likes: 6,711
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Default

Prep appropriately and paint the barrels, as with those you are used to.
Reply
Old Oct 4, 2023 | 12:08 AM
  #7  
aklim's Avatar
aklim
Team Owner
Active Streak: 60 Days
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,363
Likes: 3,255
From: Hartford WI
Default

Have you gone to a dealership and see who they use to do wheel work? Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists are quite often seen around the dealer. Maybe they can even powder coat or color it and seal it with a clear coat that will make it easier? It almost seems to me like you are going to have to have the car washed every so often if you want it to look clean. At which point, I would take the wheel cleaning spray, go to the car wash, spray the wheels and then run it through the wash. Seems like the brushed ones do a better job especially if there is anything more than dust?
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2023 | 08:49 PM
  #8  
Kangarew's Avatar
Kangarew
Instructor
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 214
Likes: 113
From: Powell TN
Default Car Wash?

go to the car wash”???! Sacreligious!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Keeping wheels clean

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-4

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:47 AM.

story-0
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE