Wheel Brightener

[RamAirV1]

Take a small amount of metal polish like Gold Class or NXT Polysh apply it to a soft cloth and rub it on a small section of wheel. If the cloth turns black, the wheels are not clear coated.

RamAirV1

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by RamAirV1
Take a small amount of metal polish like Gold Class or NXT Polysh apply it to a soft cloth and rub it on a small section of wheel. If the cloth turns black, the wheels are not clear coated.

RamAirV1

Will the anodized wheels turn black too?

Is an anodized surface the same thing as electroplating?

I have some Craftsman screwdrivers that are electoplated on the shaft......Maybe I could test them.

[rusty bumper]

Originally posted by gb387
I am no wheel expert but here is something interesting I found:

Quote From Autoswalk.com: How do you determine if your wheels are painted/clear coated or anodized? The painted/clear coated finish is smooth to the touch and the anodized finish feels slightly rough. If you have any doubts, one method of testing the finish is to touch the tip of your tongue to the wheel. If you taste metal, it is usually anodized. If you taste almost nothing, it is usually clear coat. (I had a $1.00 bet I could get you to lick your wheel)

The tongue tells all.

[RamAirV1]

I don't know much about anodized wheels. A picture of one would be helpful. Are they the same as machined aluminum wheels? They have kind of a rough finish on parts of the wheel with grooves in other places.

RamAirV1

[rusty bumper]

I tried to do a Google search on the subject, but I'm still not sure what they look like.

Here's the definition of Anodize:

To coat (a metallic surface) electrolytically with a protective or decorative oxide.

"Decorative oxide" sounds like the coatings could be about any color.

[Mike Phillips]

Anodizing is a coating that is in the metal, not on the metal. I have something written on it somewhere, I'll try to find it. You cannot polish anodized aluminum until you have the anodizing removed.

[SpoiledMan]

And to add to what Mike P said, the wrong product will damage the anodized coating pretty quick. I think Wheel Brightener would be a bad choice. Look for something that is as mild as they come and that contain NO acid at all. Let's just say to trust me on this one.

[rusty bumper]

This has been a very helpful thread.

Can someone post a photo of an anodized wheel?

Sorry so many questions.

Edit: Looking forward to the article Mike.

[SpoiledMan]

These are the wheels on my car. The lips are clear anodized and the center section is painted with a clear coat.

[SpoiledMan]

Oh yeah, that's a #26 Liquid shine there.

[rusty bumper]

Thanks SpoiledMan.

So I take it that your wheels have 2 different metals?.....(Judging by the rivets)

No Wheel Brightner on those I'm sure!

Nice shine too!

[SpoiledMan]

Don't quote me on this part now but I think the center section is pressure cast aluminum and the lips are "spun" aluminum. It's been a while since I got that answer.

[rusty bumper]

That makes sense.......The center piece looks like it was cast.

[SpoiledMan]

Originally posted by Rusty Bumper
Thanks SpoiledMan.

So I take it that your wheels have 2 different metals?.....(Judging by the rivets)

No Wheel Brightner on those I'm sure!

Nice shine too!

The absolute strongest cleaner I use on them is Citri-Gel. It's usually just soap and water as they don't get very dirty at all(takes over a year for me to get 500 miles!) and I clean them often.