What do I use to "polish" my 22" wheels

[pilldok90]

Purchased a used 2023 Tahoe Premier with 22" wheels pictured. Noticed parts of a few of the wheels have dulled in finish. Looks almost like overspray of silver paint! Tried Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish with some success but required a great deal of labor. I even purchased some drill driven buffing wheels to assist. I actually thought of removing the wheels and tires and placing on sawhorses individually to eliminate the time squatting or on my knees to complete the job! Finally, I'm not even sure the product I'm using is safe for the wheel. Anyone with experience or recommendation? Thanks!

 

[Blackcar]

I have found on clear coated polished aluminum wheels like in picture that some of the dull places are where they didn't get the best polished finish and then cleared which you will never change the look unless the clear coat is removed and aluminum repolished.

I just use cleaner wax on mine and if it's been a while and have brake dust embedded I will Claybar and some type of tar remover on them before cleaner wax.

 

[Stbentoak]

Get them gloss powder coated, they will all be dead perfect then and will hang in there for many years.

 

[pilldok90]

Get them gloss powder coated, they will all be dead perfect then and will hang in there for many years.

Thank you!

 

[pilldok90]

I have found on clear coated polished aluminum wheels like in picture that some of the dull places are where they didn't get the best polished finish and then cleared which you will never change the look unless the clear coat is removed and aluminum repolished.

I just use cleaner wax on mine and if it's been a while and have brake dust embedded I will Claybar and some type of tar remover on them before cleaner wax.

Thank You!

 

[KMeloney]

Yeah, I'd make sure of the actual finish of your wheels. If they're clear-coated, then a mag/aluminum/metal cleaner isn't going to be appropriate for them (and may even cause the clear-coat to yellow and look worse).

I don't have those wheels, so I'm just not sure what their finish is. But I'd second the clay bar comment, as I've been able to pull dullness right out of my painted wheels that I otherwise thought required serious buffing or even repainting.

 

[vcode]

Get them gloss powder coated, they will all be dead perfect then and will hang in there for many years.

Are the factory rims clear coated with paint or powder coated?

 

[pilldok90]

Yeah, I'd make sure of the actual finish of your wheels. If they're clear-coated, then a mag/aluminum/metal cleaner isn't going to be appropriate for them (and may even cause the clear-coat to yellow and look worse).

I don't have those wheels, so I'm just not sure what their finish is. But I'd second the clay bar comment, as I've been able to pull dullness right out of my painted wheels that I otherwise thought required serious buffing or even repainting.

Thank You!

 

[Stbentoak]

Are the factory rims clear coated with paint or powder coated?

I'm going to say clear coated with paint. I don't think they Powdercoat anything on these vehicles...

 

[pilldok90]

Yeah, I'd make sure of the actual finish of your wheels. If they're clear-coated, then a mag/aluminum/metal cleaner isn't going to be appropriate for them (and may even cause the clear-coat to yellow and look worse).

I don't have those wheels, so I'm just not sure what their finish is. But I'd second the clay bar comment, as I've been able to pull dullness right out of my painted wheels that I otherwise thought required serious buffing or even repainting.

Thanks. Been emailing Mother's. They say they are clear coated but prematurely aging. He said the sucess I am having is because their product is actually removing the old clear coat! Attached is a photo of the results of me taking my finger wrapped in a rag and using their product. I buffed up in down in a straight line to form a "stripe" of clean wheel to show the before and after.

 

[Blackcar]

Thanks. Been emailing Mother's. They say they are clear coated but prematurely aging. He said the sucess I am having is because their product is actually removing the old clear coat! Attached is a photo of the results of me taking my finger wrapped in a rag and using their product. I buffed up in down in a straight line to form a "stripe" of clean wheel to show the before and after.

I use our old white socks put one over my hand and use my finger to work cleaner wax on nooks and crannies on wheels.

 

[Stbentoak]

Thanks. Been emailing Mother's. They say they are clear coated but prematurely aging. He said the sucess I am having is because their product is actually removing the old clear coat! Attached is a photo of the results of me taking my finger wrapped in a rag and using their product. I buffed up in down in a straight line to form a "stripe" of clean wheel to show the before and after.

My business partner had a GMC Denali pickup about four or five years ago and they showed signs of the clear coat yellowing on rims. He was still under the 3/36 warranty and complain to the dealer. The dealer replaced the whole set at no charge for him. There is absolutely no reason that this should happen within really, about the first five years of ownership. What happened to things lasting for the life of the vehicle? There are certain things that ought to be good or perfect for as long as you own it 5 years or 15.....

 

[Anomaly]

The dark pic in the OP is difficult to tell but the second close up pic shows the surface damage much better. My guess is that a previous owner used a chemical cleaner that was not compatible with the rim's finish and now you're going to be stuck with the degraded appearance until you decide to refinish or replace the rims.

For cleaning the OEM wheels, I spray Simple Green diluted with water at 50% or more on the rim and let it set for about 1 minute. Then with some rinse water, I scrub the rim with either a wheel/tire brush ( https://detailing.com/products/deta...brush-black-gray?_pos=20&_sid=9cf2246f2&_ss=r ) and/or a dedicated rim brush ( https://detailing.com/products/wheel-woolies-3-piece-wheel-brush-kit?_pos=5&_sid=9cf2246f2&_ss=r ).

 

[tooleyondeck]

black powder coat is the correct answer here lol