So I posted this in the Appearance & Dress up (and I'm not sure it was even the right place) but apparently no one looks at those and I didn't get a response.


I have the 20" machined aluminum wheels with silver pockets. My salesman has told me they are clear-coated, but I have not been able to find any proof of it one way or the other. I have only had a chrome wheel in the past and wheel care was always pretty easy. I know the old aluminum wheels required a little TLC to keep (or restore) the finish. Suggestions on what cleaners/polishes to use to keep the wheels looking great? I am thinking if they are in fact cleared, it shouldn't be much more than soap and water and a little wax?

 

Subscribed as I have the same question.

 

Subscribing too. I have the 18" version, but very similar.

 

Well this isn't going very well. Three questions and no answers....

Does make me feel better about not knowing and asking.

 

No shame in having questions. I happen to think you're probably right about the clear coat. I have had some alloy wheels in the past, and they were clear coated. Maintenance was pretty easy; mild soap and water.

 

Clean the rims with wheel cleaner that has the appropriate pH and is intended for coated aluminum rims.

Use whatever polish/wax you use on the vehicle's paint finish for the rims. HINT/TIP: Be sure to also periodically clean and polish/wax the inside of the rims.
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-click- the pic'
Goth 150
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Any recommendations?

 

I know this is a little dated, but I found this site with how-to instructions and recommendations for multiple products. I think I am going to try a couple of their recommended products.

How To Clean and Polish Clear Coated Wheels

 

I know this is a little dated, but I ordered some of the products in the article mentioned above and thought I would let everyone know what I thought.

Griots Wheel Cleaner - Worked really well. Wet the wheel, spray on, soft bristle brush, rinse. Wheels had a nice shine after cleaning and drying. And its biodegradable, which I like. The spray bottle was higher quality than I expected as well, may actually be able to re-use it.

Meguiars Polish - I thought I had wax applicators, but turns out I only had the black ones used to wax the wife's Malibu, so I didn't get a chance to use it. Maybe this week and I will update.

Wheel Wax - See polish.

Optimum Tire Gel - This work really well too. As the description for the product says, it is water-based as opposed to silicone. Being water-based, it doesn't seem to attract the dirt and dust that the previous products(again mentioned in the article but it is nice to see firsthand) I used, usually a spray-on Tire Wet. I applied this about three weeks ago, and with all the dust lately, the tire still look great. It does not give as much shine as what I have used in the past, but after seeing it applied, I like this look much better.

I realized I am a cleaning/detail rookie after reading this article and others on their site. I didn't think about the formulas of the products, being sure to use separate towels for the wheels, etc. before. After reading the articles, I had one of those DUH! moments , should have thought/realized that before.

I will see if I can get some pictures tonight.