Clean and protect chrome wheels???
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Lansing, MI
Clean and protect chrome wheels???
I have the stock 94 Bronco chrome wheels. They are starting to pit a bit from the weather. I have tried chome polish and a buffer but that only got 1/2 of the pits out.
I'm looking for something to use to get the pits out and protect the wheels over the winter.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
I'm looking for something to use to get the pits out and protect the wheels over the winter.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Loveland, CO.
The problem with getting the pits out is that they will leave small, unchromed spots that will rust again. Once you start getting the pits, they are always going to be there.
What I have done is get some fine grade steel wool, and lightly buff them with that and WD-40 as a lubricant. The WD-40 will help keep the pad from scratching too badly, and also penetrate into the little holes to help keep them from rusting back too quickly.
Then, after that is all done and dry, clean the rim with Windex and then buff it with chrome polish.
Finally, apply a coat of wax and buff it off to help the wheel repel water. You can use any type of wax that you would use for paint.
If you are going to store the truck, or are not concerned with appearance over the winter, you can coat the finished wheel with grease.
What I have done is get some fine grade steel wool, and lightly buff them with that and WD-40 as a lubricant. The WD-40 will help keep the pad from scratching too badly, and also penetrate into the little holes to help keep them from rusting back too quickly.
Then, after that is all done and dry, clean the rim with Windex and then buff it with chrome polish.
Finally, apply a coat of wax and buff it off to help the wheel repel water. You can use any type of wax that you would use for paint.
If you are going to store the truck, or are not concerned with appearance over the winter, you can coat the finished wheel with grease.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
Likes: 12
From: Gateway to the West
The problem with metal polishes on the stock wheels is the fact that the stock wheels are coated with a clear polymer that is supposed to keep them from deteriorating. The problem is that when the coating deteriorates, it flakes off and the aluminum tarnishes around the area that the coating is missing. Eventually the oxidation and discoloration get under the coating and can't be reached with cleaners and polishes. I have heard that there is a process to remove the coating, polish the wheels and recoat but its stupidly expensive.... be cheaper to buy a set of aftemarkets instead.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Loveland, CO.
I don't know about the coating - but what I do used to work for me in humid South Florida, near the beach. A weekend near the beach and the rims would get a surface coat of rust. For some reason, Fort Pierce (south-central) was especially bad. I used to go there now and then for the weekend to visit friends. If I was going there I used to clean the rims like I described first and coat then them with a light coat of grease, and clean them off when I got home.
