Help me get this off my wheels

[barsik]

Hello. What you are looking at here, are my factory chrome wheels on my '10 Suburban, which were neglected in the last 2 years (shame on me). I used a Meguiar's metal polish and 3M Chrome and Metal polish, and while both products did a fantastic job on my wheels (they shine incredible now), there is is some weird stuff left on the wheels. Is that calcium deposit? Or something far worse? And what is the best way to clean it off? Chrome and metal polish didn't help at all. Spent an hour trying to clean it off, no dice.

Any help?

[The Guz]

Re: Help me get this off my wheels

It is possible a harsh wheel cleaner was used which etched the surface or possible a wheel cleaner left to long and it dried on the surface. I know you already tried chrome polish but you could try something like ultimate compound.

[ShineOCD]

Re: Help me get this off my wheels

I'm afraid Guz is right. They look etched.

[Blueline]

Re: Help me get this off my wheels

In addition to trying Ultimate Compound or the Metal Cleaner again, try using a power polisher. Meguire's or maybe it is Mother's has a foam ball that goes on the end of a drill. Or perhaps even a DA polisher. Might need just a little more power than by hand.

[Mr Miyagi]

Re: Help me get this off my wheels

try some vinegar..

[barsik]

Re: Help me get this off my wheels

It is possible a harsh wheel cleaner was used which etched the surface or possible a wheel cleaner left to long and it dried on the surface. I know you already tried chrome polish but you could try something like ultimate compound.

Thank you. Isn't ultimate compound too harsh for chrome? Or is it non abrasive?

In addition to trying Ultimate Compound or the Metal Cleaner again, try using a power polisher. Meguire's or maybe it is Mother's has a foam ball that goes on the end of a drill. Or perhaps even a DA polisher. Might need just a little more power than by hand.

I tried a Meguiar's polishing cone and unfortunately didn't really help, although I didn't try it with compound.

try some vinegar..

I assume vinegar won't be too acidic to cause damage? Someone also told me to try baking soda as well. I might try vinegar before compound. Thanks for the tip.

[The Guz]

Re: Help me get this off my wheels

Ultimate Compound is abrasive. Factory wheels tend to be clear coated. So it is possible that the wheels are polished aluminum with clear coat over them. Give UC a go and see if you get any results.

[Cypresswill]

Try Meguiars hot rims all wheel cleaner, that should do the trick.

[Nick Winn]

Re: Help me get this off my wheels

Sorry to see the trouble with the stain. Which specific metal polish of ours did you use? Our Medium Cut Metal Polish is the most aggressive metal polish we recommend for chrome plating, so depending on which metal polish of ours you tried, it might be worth trying our Medium Cut Metal Polish if you have not already. Depending on what the stain is and how long it has been on there, we unfortunately might be limited in our ability to remove this. At the same time, you don't want to work too aggressively in this one small specific area especially by machine, you can start to remove the chrome plating.

[barsik]

Re: Help me get this off my wheels

Ultimate Compound is abrasive. Factory wheels tend to be clear coated. So it is possible that the wheels are polished aluminum with clear coat over them. Give UC a go and see if you get any results.

Ok, thanks. I'll try the compound over the weekend.

Sorry to see the trouble with the stain. Which specific metal polish of ours did you use? Our Medium Cut Metal Polish is the most aggressive metal polish we recommend for chrome plating, so depending on which metal polish of ours you tried, it might be worth trying our Medium Cut Metal Polish if you have not already. Depending on what the stain is and how long it has been on there, we unfortunately might be limited in our ability to remove this. At the same time, you don't want to work too aggressively in this one small specific area especially by machine, you can start to remove the chrome plating.

I used the one that came with the wheel polishing kit, although not a lot of it (mostly used 3M Chrome polish). While I don't know what the stain is, it's been there for at least a year now.