Detailing Rims

Trblmkr · 06-10-04, 06:58

I have an '01 Cobra with factory rims. Now I believe the rims are aluminum with a clear coat on top of them.

Every spring, I remove the rims from the car and clean with with Mothers car wash. After I towel dry them, I then use Eimann Fabrik Hi-Intensity Cleaner only on insides to remove any contaminents from winter (I'm open for suggestions if this is the wrong product for this).

I spray the cleaner on, and let it sit for maybe 20-30 seconds then hose it off. I'll dry the inside of the tire and use a sealer to keep it clean for the rest of the summer.

On the outside of the rims, I wash as the inside. I'll dry them and have used #9 on them and then on top with the same sealer/wax. (Mequires products)

My problem is, my rims show A LOT of swirls in it, and I'm not sure if this is due to the CC on the rims (would think #9 would fix it) or if this is just the nature of Aluminum.... Hell I could just be too damn picky?!?!?!?!?

Not with this board HEHEHE

Anyway, does anybody have the same problem I do and possible shine some light on this problem.

Thanks

vapore0n · 06-10-04, 07:08

Dont you need to bend over too much to see those swirls?
In any case, did you try something like a sealant? wich would show less swirls.

Trblmkr · 06-10-04, 07:12

maybe.. but since I'm always cleaning the wheel wells out, and putting dressing on my tires, I see them.

I've tried both selant as well as wax and both do about the same on them.

Accumulator · 06-10-04, 08:51

Sounds like they're somehow getting marred during the wash process.

Removing/reducing the marring will be just like on the rest of the vehicle- some abrasive polish that's stronger than the #9. I wouldn't try to get them perfect, however- this is a good area to be "reasonable". Then yeah, just seal them with your favorite synthetic LSP.

Maybe try some gentler way of washing them during the "regular" washes. Remember that much of the stuff you clean off wheels is very abrasive. You don't want to "grind it in" when you're washing it off.

Your after-winter clean-up sounds OK, though I end up using a lot of clay, too. Refreshing the LSP on the wheels more frequently might help keep the contaminants easier to wash off.

Trblmkr · 06-10-04, 09:29

I rinse the tires first with fresh water to get off any dust that's not stuck to the rims.

I use a fresh bucket of Mequires Gold Wash, a soft wheel brush for the outside, (http://www.properautocare.com/br-42.html)

And one of these for behind the spokes.. http://www.properautocare.com/br-625.html

rinse completely, dry, then apply dressing...

Maybe it could be that I'm expecting my rims to look like Chrome and I don't think that's going to happen

hondaguy2582 · 06-10-04, 10:08

Switch to a natural sheepskin washmitt. Honestly, it is the only way to go when washing a car.

Buick_guy · 06-10-04, 10:18

Ya those wheel brushes are sometimes too aggresive for our modern day rims. I scratched the chrome on the buick once with a wheel brush, that I have now just thrown into the wheel well bucket....never to be used again on wheels.

Just go with a sheepskin mit, or even a synthetic one since it's going to get crappy up anyway.

Accumulator · 06-10-04, 10:38

Yikes! Those brushes aren't something *I* would use. If you want to use a brush, get BHBs from Griot's.

Trblmkr · 06-10-04, 11:03

WOW... didn't think those brushes were that bad since I got them because everybody raved about them on here

Okay... well I have two chenelle (sp) mits.. I guess I could dedicate one to wheels only and the other for the car

So this will take care of "what's" causing my swirls on the rims. So the procedure I've been using to clean my rims will work ?