Hey everybody hows it going. I just recently picked up a 99 GT a couple weeks ago. The car has 1999-2004 Saleen rims, which have brake dust and dirt caked onto them. And when I mean caked on, I mean I have tried just about everything such as wheel cleaners (3 different ones), degreasers, simple green, regular car wash soap, and nothing seems to be taking this caked on dirt off.


So I have tried taking a piece of 2000 grit wet sandpaper to one small spot and it seemed to work very well. I just dont want to risk damaging the wheels. My question is, would it be safe to use some light wet sanding and then polish them? Im about 95% positive the rims are aluminum, but if they arent, how can I find out what they are?

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

Have you tried brake cleaner?

 

I have, along with Engine Brite Degreaser and Simple Green. Nothing will get the spots off except for wetsanding. I just want to know if its safe to do. If I can do maybe 1000 grit then 2000 to finish it off. And whats the best way to polish them when Im done?

 

best way to check to see if they are polished is take some billet/aluminum polish and start rubbing on a cleaner part of the wheel. if it starts turning black then they are polished, if not then that means that they are chrome. i would use sandpaper as an absolute last resort.