20'' Factory SS Polished aluminum wheels - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

RofoMike · 07-21-2011, 05:49 PM

Any recommendations for shining the Polished Aluminum wheels? I used Mothers Mag/Aluminum polish and they felt smooth but didnt look as shiny as I thought they would. Any ideas?

Adam's Polishes · 07-21-2011, 05:51 PM

Thats because they're clear coated. GM calls the finish polished, but in reality its clear coat paint, just like whats on the rest of the car. So for polishing purposes you'll use whatever your preferred paint polish is on the wheels.

Also an excellent idea to wax or use sealant to protect them.

Set the expectations reasonably of what they're gonna look like, the finish on all of GM's factory "polished" wheels leaves a lot to be desired.

John Deere Boy · 07-21-2011, 05:51 PM

Your wheels are clear coated, so you have to treat them the same way you do the paint on your car. (car wash soap and wax) The aluminum polish never even touched the aluminum.

RofoMike · 07-21-2011, 09:37 PM

Thanks for the Info!

Markwrench · 07-22-2011, 03:25 PM

I found cleaning the inner rim surface and then using a synthetic based product there helps keep the dirt off. When the inner surface is clean, it really makes the spokes pop.

mpyle007 · 07-23-2011, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Deere Boy

Your wheels are clear coated, so you have to treat them the same way you do the paint on your car. (car wash soap and wax) The aluminum polish never even touched the aluminum.

So the fine aluminum type scratches are pretty muck like swirl marks in paint? Dylan from Adams have any professional advice here?

Adam's Polishes · 07-23-2011, 12:19 PM

Could be, also could be damage below the clear coat, which wouldn't be unusual based on what I've seen personally with GM factory wheel finishes.

The stock wheels on my TBSS were the same finish... there were some spots that were below the clear where it looked like someone had swiped the wheel with sandpaper, very linear scratches all bunched together. Nothing you can do about something like that short of stripping the wheel down and starting over.

Surface imperfections though, yes... those can be polished out in the same manner you'd remove them anywhere else on the car.

reefdiver · 07-23-2011, 12:33 PM

If you want them brighter...get them chromed! I hated the "polished look". They never really looked good from the factory.

Stex · 07-23-2011, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylan@Adams

Could be, also could be damage below the clear coat, which wouldn't be unusual based on what I've seen personally with GM factory wheel finishes.

The stock wheels on my TBSS were the same finish... there were some spots that were below the clear where it looked like someone had swiped the wheel with sandpaper, very linear scratches all bunched together. Nothing you can do about something like that short of stripping the wheel down and starting over.

Surface imperfections though, yes... those can be polished out in the same manner you'd remove them anywhere else on the car.

Cannot find the thread but someone here did strip, polish and recleared. I think there were pics...?? Should look a lot better...or for a little more go aftemarket???

cam62 · 07-23-2011, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefdiver

If you want them brighter...get them chromed! I hated the "polished look". They never really looked good from the factory.

Any idea how much it costs to get them chromed?

John Deere Boy · 07-23-2011, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylan@Adams

Could be, also could be damage below the clear coat, which wouldn't be unusual based on what I've seen personally with GM factory wheel finishes.

The stock wheels on my TBSS were the same finish... there were some spots that were below the clear where it looked like someone had swiped the wheel with sandpaper, very linear scratches all bunched together. Nothing you can do about something like that short of stripping the wheel down and starting over.

Very true. Before ordering my car, i compared two yellow ones side-by side in the full sun. One had polished, the other had Midnight silver. The polished ones had lots of scratches underneath the clearcoat, so i ordered Midnight Silver.

Adam's Polishes · 07-24-2011, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cam62

Any idea how much it costs to get them chromed?

Depends entirely on the chrome shop. I've had wheels plated in the past for as little as $100 per wheel, but that was with me stripping and prepping them myself.

Call around and see what local chrome shops are charging b/c it will also vary a lot by region. Its far more expensive to get something done in California for example b/c of all the environmental regs they have to adhere to.

Another option - buy a new set chromed from FR and then sell your stockers on craigslist or ebay to recoup some of the cost.

http://www.factoryreproductions.com/...Chrome-c47.htm

hot_rod · 07-24-2011, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cam62

Any idea how much it costs to get them chromed?

I bookmarked this site......$750 - exchange program

http://www.calchrome.com/wheels_chevrolet.php

redirish · 07-24-2011, 03:01 PM

Dylan/HotRod, those are both excellent options!

Dylan, would a coat of Brilliant Glaze help on the Clear Coated Rims?

07-21-2011, 05:49 PM	#1
RofoMike Drives: 2010 2SS Camaro, IOM Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Royersford, PA Posts: 18 View My Garage	20'' Factory SS Polished aluminum wheels Any recommendations for shining the Polished Aluminum wheels? I used Mothers Mag/Aluminum polish and they felt smooth but didnt look as shiny as I thought they would. Any ideas?

07-21-2011, 05:51 PM	#3
John Deere Boy I bleed green Drives: '11 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Centerville, Indiana Posts: 462 View My Garage	Your wheels are clear coated, so you have to treat them the same way you do the paint on your car. (car wash soap and wax) The aluminum polish never even touched the aluminum. __________________ 2011 2SS/RS LS3. Delivered 4/18/11. Solo Axle-back with J-pipes and quads, 35% tint, Yellow trim kit, Showstopper sidemarkers, babied garage queen. 2006 Silverado 3500 6.0, 1993 Pontiac Bonneville SSE

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07-21-2011, 05:51 PM	#2
Adam's Polishes Drives: The shiny ones. Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: In the detail shop! Posts: 5,979	Thats because they're clear coated. GM calls the finish polished, but in reality its clear coat paint, just like whats on the rest of the car. So for polishing purposes you'll use whatever your preferred paint polish is on the wheels. Also an excellent idea to wax or use sealant to protect them. Set the expectations reasonably of what they're gonna look like, the finish on all of GM's factory "polished" wheels leaves a lot to be desired.

07-21-2011, 09:37 PM	#4
RofoMike Drives: 2010 2SS Camaro, IOM Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Royersford, PA Posts: 18 View My Garage	Thanks for the Info!

07-22-2011, 03:25 PM	#5
Markwrench Drives: 2011 2SS/RS ord 7-7-10 home8-24-10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Baltimore Posts: 62	I found cleaning the inner rim surface and then using a synthetic based product there helps keep the dirt off. When the inner surface is clean, it really makes the spokes pop.

07-23-2011, 12:19 PM	#7
Adam's Polishes Drives: The shiny ones. Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: In the detail shop! Posts: 5,979	Could be, also could be damage below the clear coat, which wouldn't be unusual based on what I've seen personally with GM factory wheel finishes. The stock wheels on my TBSS were the same finish... there were some spots that were below the clear where it looked like someone had swiped the wheel with sandpaper, very linear scratches all bunched together. Nothing you can do about something like that short of stripping the wheel down and starting over. Surface imperfections though, yes... those can be polished out in the same manner you'd remove them anywhere else on the car.

07-23-2011, 12:33 PM	#8
reefdiver Drives: Cheverlot Join Date: May 2009 Location: NC Posts: 130	If you want them brighter...get them chromed! I hated the "polished look". They never really looked good from the factory.

07-24-2011, 03:01 PM	#14
redirish Drives: 10' IOM 2SS/RS/M6 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,354 View My Garage	Dylan/HotRod, those are both excellent options! Dylan, would a coat of Brilliant Glaze help on the Clear Coated Rims?