how to shine chrome wheels
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 695
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RE: how to shine chrome wheels
Chrome can get dull. And there are indeed different qualities of chrome.
If they're dealer add-ons, or aftermarket, sometimes you never know what they throw on there if you didn't buy them yourself.
In a discrete area, if you use an aluminum polish (like Mothers Mag & Aluminum) on a clean wheel and it turns black after about 5 seconds of rubbing, then you've got polished aluminum.
If it doesn't turn black, then you've got clearcoated or chrome -- and those two should be easy to distinguish from one another.
If they're dealer add-ons, or aftermarket, sometimes you never know what they throw on there if you didn't buy them yourself.
In a discrete area, if you use an aluminum polish (like Mothers Mag & Aluminum) on a clean wheel and it turns black after about 5 seconds of rubbing, then you've got polished aluminum.
If it doesn't turn black, then you've got clearcoated or chrome -- and those two should be easy to distinguish from one another.
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 47
From: nc
RE: how to shine chrome wheels
i have a set of chrome wheels and i use turtle wax's chrome that cleans away dirt and brake dust as you polish. i have used several others and if you have chrome wheels then i would use turtle. if you looking for a good spray on wax for wet and dry surface then go with meguiars or eagle one.
Retired Moderator
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,099
From: Indianapolis, IN
RE: how to shine chrome wheels
Hey Focker (nice screen name BTW ) I agree with Steven on this - chrome can get dirty and stained but I've never seen chrome get "dull" Be certain you are talking chrome and not polished aluminum. If you indeed have chrome, then I swear by Turtle Wax Chrome Polish (in a little white bottle), and if you have aluminum then Mothers Aluminum Polish (in a little white jar) works wonders. Both are available at just about any auto parts store or in the auto section of your typical super-store.
Chrome Polish works with minimal effort, Aluminum Polish will require a little more elbow grease (and perhaps a 2nd or 3rd coat) And like mentioned above, chrome polish will reveal dirt mostly on the rag while aluminum polish will reveal a lot of black residue. Thats the cutting action of the alum. polish doing its thing
Good luck
) I agree with Steven on this - chrome can get dirty and stained but I've never seen chrome get "dull" Be certain you are talking chrome and not polished aluminum. If you indeed have chrome, then I swear by Turtle Wax Chrome Polish (in a little white bottle), and if you have aluminum then Mothers Aluminum Polish (in a little white jar) works wonders. Both are available at just about any auto parts store or in the auto section of your typical super-store. Chrome Polish works with minimal effort, Aluminum Polish will require a little more elbow grease (and perhaps a 2nd or 3rd coat) And like mentioned above, chrome polish will reveal dirt mostly on the rag while aluminum polish will reveal a lot of black residue. Thats the cutting action of the alum. polish doing its thing
Good luck
Retired Moderator
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,099
From: Indianapolis, IN
RE: how to shine chrome wheels
Look VERY closely at your rims - if you see any hints of very fine swirls or sanding/buffing marks, then that is polished aluminum.
Clean a section with some window cleaner (no ammonia of course) or quick detailer. When you wipe the clean section with a cloth is it mirror smooth like it was just waxed (then probably chrome), or does it have that non-waxed "dragging" feel to it (probably polished aluminum)?? Thats about the only way I can think of off hand to help determine.
Post pics if you can.
Clean a section with some window cleaner (no ammonia of course) or quick detailer. When you wipe the clean section with a cloth is it mirror smooth like it was just waxed (then probably chrome), or does it have that non-waxed "dragging" feel to it (probably polished aluminum)?? Thats about the only way I can think of off hand to help determine.
Post pics if you can.
