Chrome help needed.

9

94 NDTA

New member
D0E7202D-71CF-45DF-9A9E-6496128F5F3E_zpsbj6gr88k.jpg16CB7DE8-BDF7-4F05-A7AD-FBC3214BEF6A_zpsoavhk71w.jpgI'm in the midst of bringing a car back to its former glory. This thing really shined, and I detailed the crap out of it when I was younger. I took on a project to make it faster, life happened, and it got pretty neglected. It was always stored indoors, covered, and was decently taken care of while it sat. I am taking baby steps, one thing at a time, as I get it back to its former glory. I had a little time to tackles the rims, which in the past a little nevr dull, and seal them with some zaino and I was good to go. I thought this, would be easy, right.

looks pretty good huh?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v487/Hazerd64/D0E7202D-71CF-45DF-9A9E-6496128F5F3E_zpsbj6gr88k.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v487/Hazerd64/16CB7DE8-BDF7-4F05-A7AD-FBC3214BEF6A_zpsoavhk71w.jpg

I am sick to my stomach as to how much I neglected this car. It goes like a banshee, I guess that's a positive. These rims maybe have 2500 miles on them.
What can I do to get these back? Steel/copper wool? I already have a sealant for when I get the rims back to life. Help!

Edit: I guess we can't link pictures. Lame.
 
94 NDTA said:
These rims maybe have 2500 miles on them.

What can I do to get these back? Steel/copper wool? I already have a sealant for when I get the rims back to life. Help!
Click to expand...


So, the wheels are fairly new? Have they been exposed to bad weather?

If that's pitting we're looking at in the 2nd foto, you may be past the point of no return. Could the chrome plating have been defective?
 
tom p. said:
So, the wheels are fairly new? Have they been exposed to bad weather?

If that's pitting we're looking at in the 2nd foto, you may be past the point of no return. Could the chrome plating have been defective?
Click to expand...
The wheels are about 10 years old...yeah. I THINK the spots will come out, I just need to be a little more aggressive with it. I pushed fairly hard in a discreet corner of the rim with my MF buffing towel, and they lessened. They didn't go away completely, but lessened. I think I just need something more powerful.

as far as bad weather, I live in ND, but have always had it garaged/covered, never drove it in the winter. It took me 6 years to finish my project for health/house/baby reasons, so it did a lot of sitting.
 
If you don't believe it's pitting, I'd trying machine polishing with a very fine polish so you can determine if that will help...
 
I might do that. This morning I did go to a really discreet area of the rim and with my fingernail I was able to remove some of the spots. I really don't believe it's pitting.I just don't think I'm using something strong enough.
 
If the problem is penetration of the plating down to the basemetal, then the plating is compromised and there's only so much you can do. Healthy plating is impermeable, and it's healthy plating that looks Autopian-good.

That's not to say you can't make them a whole lot better with a Chrom Polish that contains both chemical cleaners and effective abrasives. But whether it'll be good enough for you, well...just have to see. But you need to go beyond NevrDull (which I've retired for various reasons, though I did like it back in the '70s).
 
Any suggestions on what to try? I honestly feel like it is on the surface, just the nevr dull is not strong enough.
 
ShawnF350 said:
Poorboys ProPolish2

or they have a new HD Aluminum &Metal polish which worked great on a spotted up Weber grill.
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And use what to buff/polish? Brass wool? Foam pad? Etc.

You can see from the pics, there is a streak coming from the spots.

Maybe a heavy duty wheel cleaner is in order? I have p21s wheel cleaner, but I don't know how strong it is (it's not the gel)
 
94 NDTA said:
Any suggestions on what to try? I honestly feel like it is on the surface, just the nevr dull is not strong enough.
Click to expand...

Chrome Polish from Optimum, or the Meguiar's "Metyl" or whatever they call their NXT-line stuff (can never remember those cutesy spellings). Griot's is OK but it's a pricey little bottle. I've also done OK with M205.

The P21s stuff is *VERY* gentle, almost as gentle as Griot's Wheel Cleaner. Nice for regular upkeep, but not what's called for here IMO.

Maybe somebody with more experience (with messed up wheels) will recommend some good/safe Acidic Wheel Cleaner, but the only stuff like that I've ever used was the house brand from Top of the Line.
 
ShawnF350 said:
Poorboys ProPolish2

or they have a new HD Aluminum &Metal polish which worked great on a spotted up Weber grill.
Click to expand...

This was going to be my suggestion using a piece of cotton to apply, not micro fiber..I do a lot of metal polishing on HD motorcycles, I see this all the time.. You might have some very minor pitting but you'll be able to remove most of the problem
 
I have a plan of attack, let me know what you think. I am already over budget on what I wanted for detailing, so I am going to try to do with what I have. I already have m105/205, a couple Meg's foam hand applicator pads, a cotton applicator pad, a MF applicator pad I got from the rag co, p21s wheel cleaner (not the gel) and various MF towels.

Instead of buy another polish, that I am not sure will work, I am going to try the 205, then proceed to the 105 if that doesn't work. I have read numerous people having success with it.

What should i use to apply/buff it for the best results? I was thinking the foam pads would have more bite, but I also have not used them in years.

I also have a fiend who has a mothers powerball he swears by, but I am hesitant to buy another $20 product when I might have something that works.

I am also trying to do as much of this OTC if you can't tell, I want to get my car road worthy ASAP.
 
94 NDTA- People have [messed] up wheels with the PowerBall, so I myself wouldn't try that (I know others like 'em).

I'd use cotton for hand-application as it generally has the most bite. It might gunk up fast, so I dunno if one cotton applicator will do it.

That P21s would be fine for regular cleaning, but will almost certainly be too gentle for the initial cleanup. Actually, I'd LSP/coat them and then use a shampoo mix instead so you don't have to redo them all the time (less of an issue if you coat them) as the Wheel Cleaner will strip LSP.
 
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