Hazy Chrome Clad Wheels

[XtraPerformance]

Re: Hazy Chrome Clad Wheels

You will be fine with the right wheel cleaner. I use D143 non-acid wheel and tire cleaner on my wheels with no issues. But I only use it when I don't wash the car for a few weeks. I also use D143 on the tires to remove any old dressing so that I can apply a fresh new coat every few weeks. I also recommend you clean the barrels of the wheels to remove any built up grime.

Now back on topic, once you UC/UP the wheels be sure to follow up with a sealant like ultimate wax or nxt. Then hit them up with ultimate quik wax, at least once a month to keep them looking good but also making that brake dust come off with just soap and water.

Brake dust barrier works really good and last longer than a sealant.

Last weekend I used the all wheel and tire cleaner and it worked great. The barrels of the wheels will be cleaned when I get my summer wheels put on. I had never really noticed how bad it was until looking at these pictures in detail. After cleaning I will make sure to protect them with some ultimate wax!

[larry0071]

Meguiars all metal polish made my Chrome Hummer H3 wheels look like absolutely new. They looked worse than that by far. I used old socks on my hands to rub them with the all metal polish. It worked superbly.

[The Guz]

Re: Hazy Chrome Clad Wheels

You will be fine with the right wheel cleaner. I use D143 non-acid wheel and tire cleaner on my wheels with no issues. But I only use it when I don't wash the car for a few weeks. I also use D143 on the tires to remove any old dressing so that I can apply a fresh new coat every few weeks. I also recommend you clean the barrels of the wheels to remove any built up grime.

Now back on topic, once you UC/UP the wheels be sure to follow up with a sealant like ultimate wax or nxt. Then hit them up with ultimate quik wax, at least once a month to keep them looking good but also making that brake dust come off with just soap and water.

Brake dust barrier works really good and last longer than a sealant.

[XtraPerformance]

Re: Hazy Chrome Clad Wheels

I actually have never used a wheel cleaner on the wheels before last weekend. The wheels got like this over the horrible winter we had. I haven't used a sealant ever either but I suppose it would be worth looking into. I love the GXP as well my previous car only has 170 hp so this was quite the upgrade. I'm not to savvy with the mechanics of cars but that sounds like a pretty good gain!

[Romad81]

Re: Hazy Chrome Clad Wheels

The wheel cleaner is your most likely culprit for the spots on the wheels. I don't usually use one anymore on those types of wheels, just soap, water, and keep a sealant or wax on them. The sealant/wax won't last very long but it helps. There are sealants from other manufacturers that are supposed to last longer but I haven't used any of them. If the tires and wheels get so bad the soap and polish won't get it off I'll spray them with an all purpose cleaner/degreaser, mix a little in some water and scrub them. Always keep them wet with the cleaner/water and rinse frequently or you'll get the spots.

I love the GXP with the 3.6. I had the sedan, got it reprogrammed for 92 octane and CAI. It came out to somewhere around 270-275 horses. Even with the auto transmission it would turn the tires over all the way through first and a little into second. Not a dragstrip racer but a fun little car.

[XtraPerformance]

Re: Hazy Chrome Clad Wheels

They are indeed G6 wheels. I will start with UP and use UC if I have any stubborn spots. I definitely don't think I need something as strong as a metal polish because using UC cleared the test spot right up. Thanks for the insight as to what the wheels are made up of that should be very helpful in knowing which products to use to take care of them in the future!

[Romad81]

Re: Hazy Chrome Clad Wheels

Those are on the G6 right? If so then it's actually a piece of plastic attached to the wheel with a thin sheet of chrome inside the plastic. Ultimate Polish and some elbow grease will take most, if not all of that off. If you have stubborn spots, go over it with Ultimate Compound then hit it again with Polish.

I learned from experience what the wheels are made of after severely curbing one on my old G-6. Almost $400 for an aftermarket replacement.

[Murr1525]

Re: Hazy Chrome Clad Wheels

If only a thin cheap chrome coating, UC may still be better than a stronger metal polish.

[rickylexus250]

Re: Hazy Chrome Clad Wheels

A clear coat would not tarnish like that unless acid had etched into it.

[rickylexus250]

Re: Hazy Chrome Clad Wheels

I don't believe they are clear coated, why would you coat chrome wheels. I think they be tarnished, try a metal/chrome cleaner polisher on a small section and see what happens. The UC may just be cleaning the chrome.

[Blueline]

Re: Hazy Chrome Clad Wheels

My Chrysler OEMs chrome clads are not clear coated. They are chrome and chrome only.

[XtraPerformance]

Re: Hazy Chrome Clad Wheels

They are OEM wheels so I'm pretty sure they are clear coated. I did a test spot using UC and it cleared right up! Thanks for your help guys I will get the rest of the wheels done when I can properly clean them again.

[davey g-force]

Re: Hazy Chrome Clad Wheels



I didn't realise they may be clear coated.

One way to tell - if the applicator starts turning black as you're applying UC, then there is no clear coat.

[The Guz]

Re: Hazy Chrome Clad Wheels

If these are OEM wheels then they should be clear coated. If they are you can treat them like paint. Try some ultimate compound on them and see if that cleans them up. If they are not clear coated or if they are chrome hen a metal polish would be what you need. A dyna cone would really speed things up.

[XtraPerformance]

Re: Hazy Chrome Clad Wheels

If these wheels are clear coated can I still use a metal / chrome polish?