Help! How to Clean,polish & clearcoat alloy wheels with paint surfaces &

[JimP]

plastic inserts...

Here`s a link to a photo of the wheels:



http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4288110623&p=4182315262&idx=13



They are alloy wheels with painted portions & the center insert is

plastic.

How do I make them "showroom" before I install them?

All advice graefully appreciated.

Jim

[Accumulator]

JimP- Welcome to Autopia. Can`t view your pic, it won`t let me see it without "joining".



Generally, you can treat the plastic and painted parts of wheels the same. Often the plastic parts are painted anyway.



I always pull the wheels off. Easier to work on and I can get to the back sides and around/in the lug holes.



I`d start with a good cleaning using a wheel cleaner or an all-purpose cleaner like EFHI. If the backs are really bad, you might have to gently scrub them with somethig like a MILD Scotchbrite pad (the one mad for non-stick surfaces). Then clay them thoroughly. If they`re really nasty, use the undiluted cleaner as a lube for the clay. I try to get them as clean as possible with the clay. Then polish with something mild (like 3M PI-III MG, pn 05937) and/or clean them with something like AIO. Then seal or wax them with the product of your choice. AIO+SG is popular, as are Collinite waxes.

[DantePasquale]

Welcome. For sure, the AIO+SG should have those wheels looking their best!

[stilez]

If it`s painted and clearcoated, you are safe to treat it like paint.



Wash

Clay

Polish

Protect



It is said to only use a paint sealant to protect because waxes will melt off quick with the heat developed by braking.



On mine, I used Klasse AIO, Klasse SG x 3

http://mywebspace.quinnipiac.edu/stbusch/DSC00683.JPG



Oh, also after using Klasse I have noticed much less brake dust (due to its anti-static formula), as well as extremely easy cleaning procedures.

[Lowejackson]

Welcome to Autopia.



Whilst you have the wheels off, deep clean the wheel wells and suspension and braking components. This makes a big difference to how your wheels look.



Brake cleaner is also a useful tool for the more stubborn marks.

[JimP]

Hello All,

Thanks for the warm welcome. I tried to attach a photo of one of the wheels - hope it posts.

The wheel is not as nice as it looks in the photos - I want them to look "showroom"! BTW, I bought a bunch of detailing eqmnt. & supplies, but I don`t know how to use them yet - polishers,alum. polish, polishing pads for my electric drill, clearcoat aerosol for painted surfaces. I need someone to tell me just what to do!

Thanks all!