Need a trick for Rims

[Chris Thompson]

I worked on a Grand Marquis that is a few years old and not maintained very well. The rims on this car were aluminum but now have turned dark around the edges. I believe they are clearcoated so Im not sure how to work on them. Any ideas? (Ill post a pic as soon as I can)

[cnfowler]

Re: Need a trick for Rims

Sounds like an accumulation of brake dust over the years. If they are clearcoated (they will be if they are stock wheels), Wheel Brightener is probably the best. WB is great at removing heavy accumulations of brake dust very easily. It is NOT for use on uncoated aluminum and anodized wheels, though. Just make sure they are clearcoated first.

Colin

[Murr1525]

Re: Need a trick for Rims

You can also treat clear coated wheels like paint, and use old clay and a paint cleaner.

[DetailArtist]

Re: Need a trick for Rims

To test if the aluminum rims are clearcoated or not, rub an area w/ aluminum polish. If rag turns black ez, they're not clearcoated.
A trick for bare aluminum rims in awful condition: (caution: use hd rubber gloves, eye protection and work up wind) get them nice and wet then spray w/ hydroflouric acid (ie: Mothers Chrome Wire Wheel Cleaner), give them a 000 steel wool action, hose them down, dry, (they will have turned from black and pitted to a dull, even, whitish grey) then polish the **** out of them (by hand or w/ a powerball drill) w/ aluminum polish. Yummy looking rims will result.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Need a trick for Rims

You can also treat clear coated wheels like paint, and use old clay and a paint cleaner.

My recipe also.

[BlackScreaminMachine]

Re: Need a trick for Rims

I know this is old but just to toss in a thought. I have Wheel Brightner and IMO it works but not as good as Westley's Bleche-Wite. Its harsher but I have had resounding success with a forms of rims that are clear coated.

When using W/B I always stated that I wish I had some Bleche-Wite.....

[espellos]

Re: Need a trick for Rims

My recipe as well