White Spots On Aluminium Rims

[Scales]

Hello folks

My year old Chrysler 200 LTD has white spots on the rims. They appear ceramic white like in color. They do not feel raised up or down. It just appears to be a discoloration on the rim. The spots appear to be mostly on the edges of the the "spokes" (if that's what they are called) and are about the size of a grain of rice. I will add pictures when the other half returns home.

I am wondering what it is and can it be removed. I believe the rims are coated polished aluminium.

[smack]

You could try some cleaner wax and see what that does for the spots.

[Nuscence813]

Hello folks

The spots appear to be mostly on the edges of the the "spokes" (if that's what they are called) and are about the size of a grain of rice.

Did you use tire shine on the tires? Sometimes the tire shine will stain paint and rims if used too heavy!! It can be removed with a compound or mildly abrasive polish. I had this happen when I used to take my car to those full service car washes!! A simple foam applicator and UP worked for me on my 2011 Yukon factory wheels

[Scales]

Here are some photos of what I am talking about.

[Michael Stoops]

Our initial thoughts when reading your first post was that the edge of the clear coat might have been compromised and your wheel cleaner had leached underneath, staining the underlying aluminum. But looking at the images, this does not appear to be the case, which is a good thing! When this leaching does happen it's almost always at the outer edge of the wheel lip and the leaching leaves sort of a vein like effect in the finish.

These look more like stains on the clear coat and the first attempt at removal would be a good paint cleaner, whether as mild as a cleaner wax or up to something like Ultimate Compound. But take your time when applying anything here in an attempt to remove the stains - hard scrubbing by hand can easily take you right through the clear, which is obviously a very bad thing. Avoid using terry cloth as an applicator, too, since these can be so aggressive that they'll often haze the finish. Stick with a foam wax applicator pad and start with mild pressure, working the cleaner in thoroughly and wiping off before it dries.

[Scales]

Thank you for the information. I will try to remove this white stuff here any day now when I can find some time. I noticed there is a spot the size of a Canadian nickle that appears to have the coating removed. It appears there is a thin layer of plastic over the rims. I thought a protective coating would have been more a thick hardened substance.

[Scales]

Did you use tire shine on the tires? Sometimes the tire shine will stain paint and rims if used too heavy!! It can be removed with a compound or mildly abrasive polish. I had this happen when I used to take my car to those full service car washes!! A simple foam applicator and UP worked for me on my 2011 Yukon factory wheels

I haven't used anything on the wheels except a little Gold Class for the rims. I wash this thing so much I haven't needed anything else.