Keeping polished aluminum rims shiny - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

fldrummer · 06-28-2009, 12:16 PM

Since the stock polished aluminum rims are clearcoated, what's the best way to get the most shine out of them? I wipe mine down almost daily (been raining a lot here), but they're already looking dull to me. Should I just use car polishes or waxes, as done on the body of the car or are there other secrets out there? I've also used this stuff called FW1 (www.rgslabs.com) that my neighbor introduced me to. It's clearcoat safe and it cleans and shines his chrome rims like magic, but it doesn't seem to have the same effect on my rims, other than cleaning them further. Any suggestions?

Rtoups · 06-28-2009, 12:38 PM

There are cleaners that are sold for aluminum wheels. Mothers sells one called Mag & Aluminum Polish.

Hylton · 06-28-2009, 12:40 PM

Clearcoat is clearcoat regardless of what it is on so personally, I'd go with Zaino before anything else if you want the best shine.

fldrummer · 06-28-2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rtoups

There are cleaners that are sold for aluminum wheels. Mothers sells one called Mag & Aluminum Polish.

I tried that--before I realized these rims were clearcoated. That stuff is for bare metal and I should have gotten a black residue when using it, but didn't because of the clearcoat.

dreammy · 06-28-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rtoups

There are cleaners that are sold for aluminum wheels. Mothers sells one called Mag & Aluminum Polish.

But it is not going to ever shine like chrome...

8eight8 · 06-28-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreammy

But it is not going to ever shine like chrome...

Yeah, that's my last hurdle is deciding between factory polished aluminum or just going with the painted wheels and having them chromed. I like shiny

bobby35ny · 06-28-2009, 04:37 PM

Clear-Coated is paint, treat it the same way as you do the rest of the paint.
I bet there is Zaino in your future, LOL!!

-Bobby

MrGazinya · 06-28-2009, 04:57 PM

I Zainoed my polished aluminum's with the Mothers power cone and they came up real nice

69 Hugger · 06-28-2009, 05:33 PM

Keep in mind the clear on your wheels is not a true clear coat, it is a clear powder coat, there is a difference. Be aware of some wheel cleaners that specifically say safe for clear coat but not for powder coat, I think the Mequiars wheel cleaner actually says not for powder coated wheels
__________________
Ive been wondering about cleaning the wheels also, I got this info above off another site. Make sure you keep them clean and when cleaning/polishing wheels use soft towels
or you can scratch the clear or powdercoat. Anybody take the Moles place ? I'd like to know if they are clear or podwer coated. Nothing wrong with using a plain carnauba with no grit should be safe

06-28-2009, 12:16 PM	#1
fldrummer "Black Ace" Drives: Supercharged 2010 SS, 2016 Golf R Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 1,352	Keeping polished aluminum rims shiny Since the stock polished aluminum rims are clearcoated, what's the best way to get the most shine out of them? I wipe mine down almost daily (been raining a lot here), but they're already looking dull to me. Should I just use car polishes or waxes, as done on the body of the car or are there other secrets out there? I've also used this stuff called FW1 (www.rgslabs.com) that my neighbor introduced me to. It's clearcoat safe and it cleans and shines his chrome rims like magic, but it doesn't seem to have the same effect on my rims, other than cleaning them further. Any suggestions?

06-28-2009, 12:38 PM	#2
Rtoups Drives: RJT 2LT Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Palos Verdes, California Posts: 602 View My Garage	There are cleaners that are sold for aluminum wheels. Mothers sells one called Mag & Aluminum Polish. __________________ SoCal Camaro5 Family Member

06-28-2009, 12:40 PM	#3
Hylton Drives: fanboys and ass kissers crazy. Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 7,280	Clearcoat is clearcoat regardless of what it is on so personally, I'd go with Zaino before anything else if you want the best shine. __________________ "BBOMG - More than just a car show.... It's an experience!"

06-28-2009, 04:37 PM	#7
bobby35ny Drives: 18 ZL1 A10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South East, FL Posts: 3,024	Clear-Coated is paint, treat it the same way as you do the rest of the paint. I bet there is Zaino in your future, LOL!! -Bobby __________________ 2017 ZL1 M6 Bog City, 2013 ZL1 M6, 2010 2SS M6 ZL1::J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS

06-28-2009, 04:57 PM	#8
MrGazinya Drives: Aggressive Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Southampton, PA. Posts: 1,086	I Zainoed my polished aluminum's with the Mothers power cone and they came up real nice __________________ Black 2SS RS LS3 Inferno Int. '17 1LE replica 20's {MODS} KOOKS LT: Borla S-Type: Roto-Fab CAI: Hurst ST.: PFADT Stage 2, Trailing arms, Tie Rods: ECS BigBlower Cam: Fast 102mm intake: Brian Tooley racing dual spring kit: TFS pushrod set: Katech C5R timing chain: Mellings high volume oil pump: ATI Balancer: Ideal performance upgraded clutch master cylinder:Tick performance upgraded slave cylinder/throwout bearing: Mantic 9000 twin disk clutch & light weight flywheel: Tuned by Doug Ring at ECS. 475RWHP/445RWTQ.Dynapack Dyno.

06-28-2009, 05:33 PM	#9
69 Hugger Drives: 69 Convertible Camaro Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sumit Point, WV Posts: 943 View My Garage	Keep in mind the clear on your wheels is not a true clear coat, it is a clear powder coat, there is a difference. Be aware of some wheel cleaners that specifically say safe for clear coat but not for powder coat, I think the Mequiars wheel cleaner actually says not for powder coated wheels __________________ Ive been wondering about cleaning the wheels also, I got this info above off another site. Make sure you keep them clean and when cleaning/polishing wheels use soft towels or you can scratch the clear or powdercoat. Anybody take the Moles place ? I'd like to know if they are clear or podwer coated. Nothing wrong with using a plain carnauba with no grit should be safe

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Polished Aluminum Wheels and the V6 Idle	KJS	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	13	06-12-2009 09:45 PM
POLISHED ALUMINUM v. MIDNIGHT SILVER	SuperSport2010	Wheels and Tires Talk Sponsored by The Tire Rack	15	06-10-2009 08:06 PM
Polished Aluminum or MSS	Riderover40	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	6	03-19-2009 07:11 AM
painted aluminum (std SS rims) on the RS instead of the Midnight Silver	cyberbro	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	9	03-16-2009 11:52 AM
Midnight SS/RS Rims vs. Polished upgrade	DDustiNN	Camaro Photos \| Spyshots \| Video \| Media Gallery	30	02-26-2009 09:48 PM