Georgia Fiero Club Forum

All Things Fiero => Tech Tips, Tech Questions => Topic started by: Duchess on January 13, 2012, 03:52:34 pm

Title: "Cleaning/Polishing" chrome rims
Post by: Duchess on January 13, 2012, 03:52:34 pm
I tried to clean/polish (Mequiar's Hot Rims Chrome Polish) my chrome rims BUT there is white stuff on it (looks like mold) and I can't get it off. I am afraid if I would use something more abrasive I might scratch the rims. What can/should I do?
Title: Re: "Cleaning/Polishing" chrome rims
Post by: Donster on January 13, 2012, 03:54:37 pm
Hmmm..... maybe wait till your hubby gets home and ask him to do it? Nah........bad idea!

;D

\D
Title: Re: "Cleaning/Polishing" chrome rims
Post by: Duchess on January 13, 2012, 04:00:21 pm
I wanted to be done before you're back home. Still bad idea? .... fg ;)
Title: Re: "Cleaning/Polishing" chrome rims
Post by: Fierofool on January 13, 2012, 04:20:03 pm
The wheels were originally polished and then coated with a clear lacquer or enamel.  That's either chipped or flaked away and the exposed aluminum has oxidized, developing what looks like what you describe as white mold.  You can get small buffer wheels to be used in a power drill.  They come in a variety of materials.  To clean without damaging, use the type that look like the 3M Scotchbrite pads used to clean glass stovetops.  Different colors are used to identify the abrasiveness.  I believe the black ones are most abrasive.  I use a brown one.

It takes a little work, but you can clean the wheels pretty good with the brown buffer wheel.  Then use a good aluminum polish.  I have some metal polish that comes in a stick.  It's called polishing rouge.  I use a cloth wheel for that.  Spin the wheel against the end of the rouge, then apply the wheel to the lip of the wheel.  It turns black as it polishes, bujt that wipes off with a cloth.  Afterward, apply a good coat of automotive wax to protect the polished surface. 
Title: Re: "Cleaning/Polishing" chrome rims
Post by: TopNotch on January 13, 2012, 08:42:22 pm
It could be that the white stuff you see is aging clear coat, and not oxidized aluminum. If you want to polish the aluminum on a wheel like this, you have to completely remove the old clear coat. It's  not easy, but you may be able to do it with the polishing wheels like Fierofool suggested.
Title: Re: "Cleaning/Polishing" chrome rims
Post by: Raydar on January 13, 2012, 11:26:23 pm
I posted this on Pennocks a few years ago. It's a PITA, but it works.
http://www.fiero.nl/cgi-bin/main.cgi?WheelPolishing
Title: Re: "Cleaning/Polishing" chrome rims
Post by: Duchess on January 15, 2012, 10:49:02 am
Thanks guys.
Raydar.... You're absolutely right @PITA
Title: Re: "Cleaning/Polishing" chrome rims
Post by: Fiero GTB on January 23, 2012, 10:58:50 am
Duchess:

I finally got around to looking up the Oxy wheel-cleaner I mentioned.

You will like it, since it's German ;- )

Nigrin-Oxy-Energy (http://Nigrin-Oxy-Energy)

FGTB
Title: Re: "Cleaning/Polishing" chrome rims
Post by: Donster on January 23, 2012, 11:15:05 am
Too bad the link doesn't work ;D
Must say though, many bad reviews for that product on German boards/forums
 
\D
Title: Re: "Cleaning/Polishing" chrome rims
Post by: TopNotch on January 23, 2012, 03:13:14 pm
Try Mother's Mag and Aluminum Wheel Polish.
Title: Re: "Cleaning/Polishing" chrome rims
Post by: Fiero GTB on January 23, 2012, 10:18:37 pm
Too bad the link doesn't work ;D
Must say though, many bad reviews for that product on German boards/forums
 
\D

Ach du liber!  Mine badden!