Bringing back chrome rims from the dead!

ktorres1120 · 09-03-08, 05:23

I have a friend that wants me to shine up his rims. There seems to be some sort of rusty looking spots all over them. He thinks it's brake dust that's been cooked in over time. He's had the truck since 04 and has maybe washed it once or twice so whatever is on there has been there a while. What product/technique would you recommend to get them looking new? Do you think a hard claying would do the trick? I'm just trying to arm myself as best I can before driving up there. THanks again!

Here are some pics of what I have to deal with. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

PhatHoodDetail · 09-03-08, 06:15

they look like solid chrome so i say u stand a very good chance to bring them back to shine status. use a good wheel/tire cleaner and a chrome polish and u should be alright. if u have any areas that are extremely tough, steel wool can help. a otc chrome polish that is very good is mothers chrome polish in the bottle. hope that helps and good luck.

sweetlou · 09-03-08, 08:50

i use some mothers chrome cleaner, its powerful and meant for chrome only because it will damage clear coated wheels. It seems to give some nice shine as well.

nrengle · 09-03-08, 09:12

I'd hit them with a APC of some type. And a wheel brush. If you use steel wool, start with 0000 as it's the least aggressive. It looks like you can get them back to status, but it's gonna take some elbow grease.

I'm not sure Megs Wheel Brightener will work for this, I've only seen it used on clear coated, and polish aluminum wheels.

ktorres1120 · 09-03-08, 10:32

Cool, thanks for the tips! I'll post back how it went with some after pics!

qwertydude · 09-04-08, 12:37

Remember if you don't see the black residue with chrome or metal polish then your wheels are clear coated, but judging by the rust spots I'd have to guess real chrome here.

Jokeman · 09-04-08, 04:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by nrengle

I'm not sure Megs Wheel Brightener will work for this, I've only seen it used on clear coated, and polish aluminum wheels.

I dunno about using Meg's wheel brightener on polished aluminum. It says on their page NOT to use it on polished aluminum. I think you would be fine using it on chrome.

nrengle · 09-04-08, 04:55

Jokeman. Thanks for the correction. I've never used the stuff, but have seen it used on various wheels. I know it's pretty acidic and if not used properly can eat a wheel up bad.

Premium · 09-04-08, 07:15

Good luck! I hope you are getting paid for all of the time it will take you to really bring them back. If they all look like that Id imagine you're looking at about 3hrs per wheel.

qwertydude · 09-04-08, 07:37

A mothers powerball will make short work of those wheels. Maybe only 15-30 min. And by hand those wheels are relatively simple. Maybe only about 45 min/wheel.