stained rims after using Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner

[dinosaur1]

Let's be realistic here. I didn't go have dinner while cleaning my rims. This is the first product I've tried that caused this amount of damage in a very short period of time. I hate to say it, but I'll need to stay away from Meguiars. I have no other option.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: stained rims after using Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner

Yes, I'm back from the Barrett-Jackson Auctions in Arizona now. As we alluded to in our previous post, the damage that has been caused by improper use of the product is most likely not going to be a do it yourself fix. From what you've described as pretty aggressive applications of UC by hand and that this is having no impact on the appearance, we're sort of left with the very real possibility that the wheels need to be stripped, lightly polished and then re-cleared. That long dwell time you allowed, contrary to the directions on the bottle, has most likely stained so deeply into the clear coat that refinishing is the only real fix here.

[dinosaur1]

Is Michael still around

[Meticulous-Detail]

Re: stained rims after using Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner

At this point what would you recommend?

My recommendation; Chrome Wheels Skins. They fit over your existing wheels, look like factory chrome, easy to install and easy to maintain.

http://www.buyautotruckaccessories.com/search.cfm/cf-bin/cmd.product/pn.cci-chrome-wheel-skins/partid.52013/?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=Sponsored%2BSearch&CAWELAID=780467189

[dinosaur1]

At this point what would you recommend?

[dinosaur1]

Yeah but if you closely look at the pics again you will notice this is not a deep scratch or anything. It's almost like a haze that cannot be removed.

[juliom2]

Re: stained rims after using Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner

Stains like that are a sad story. Strong stains, deep into the surface. Durning complete paint process there's a final step known as
the curing process. In the step solvents that make able the clear coat to be sprayed evaporate from the surface into the air.
The surface remaining is irregular and there's a chance that small channels from the curing process exist.
In your case, due to extended exposition to chemical reaction of the cleaner they were filled with contaminants ......
How much of a possibility for these to be removed?
If there's enough material you can try to sand it down Very Very carefully with fine grade like 2500 or 3000 grit.
You might remove effectively the stained area
Keep in mind damage could be irreversible to the spot.....

[Abri]

Re: stained rims after using Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner

Yep, from my own experience in letting the Bug and Tar remover dry I just have to clean it off bit by bit as and when I wash. Now I make sure and follow the instructions carefully, haven't had a problem since

[Michael Stoops]

Re: stained rims after using Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner

As much as we hate to say it, it really does sound like you've done some permanent damage to the wheels by allowing the product to sit for such an extended period of time. You stated several minutes when the instructions call for 15 seconds.

Reading back over this entire thread you've also stated

The stains are in little spots. It's doesn't cover the entire rim. Does that change anything?

This sounds strange for damage caused by the product, no matter how incorrectly the product was used. If the product were to damage the wheel we could expect to see very large areas impacted, and/or for there to be long streaks of damage to the surface. Little spots just doesn't sound like a normal damage pattern when you think about how the product is applied, how it lays on the surface, etc. Another possibility is something that Jossy92 brought up when he said

Also (based on my own mistakes), what products did you use in the past?
I learned that Megs products can make a neglected surface look its age because all the surface contaminants are removed.

BM (Before Megs): After washing, I used to religiously "wax" tree mist and bonded bird dropping residue (an excellent filler) into my paint, then carefully do the same with residual brake dust on my wheels. I had washed the car and............clay? What's clay?

Then, after 3 or 4 details, my car started to look like Keith Richards.

We've actually seen this type of situation with everything from paint to leather to plastic headlights.

We aren't trying to dodge the issue here, trust us, but something just seems a bit odd here.

[Bjkearns]

Re: stained rims after using Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner

Im thinking you should to go start shopping powder coating/paint shops or other wheel options...

[dinosaur1]

I'll wait to hear from you. Thx for your help.

[dinosaur1]

I used Meguiar's foam pads very aggressively on 1 rim, but it simply will not do anything.....trust me.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: stained rims after using Hot Rims All Wheel cleaner

Sorry for the delay there, we had a major day long project yesterday that pulled me away from the forum. Tell us a bit about how you used the Ultimate Compound on these wheels - type of applicator, how aggressively you worked it, etc. You will need some elbow grease here to have any hope of fixing this, so if you basically wiped it on like a wax and then wiped it off, you wouldn't accomplish anything by doing so.

Unfortunately, we keep thinking back to that very extended dwell time you allowed, and the fact that this might have caused irreparable damage to the wheels. But let's sort out that UC application process first.

[dinosaur1]

Michael, can you still help out?

[dinosaur1]

Michael,

I did what you have outlined here, but the rims still look the same. What do you think?