HELP, I messed up my new wheels - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

2cnd chance · 06-28-2010, 04:36 PM

i design and sell car washes, that being said some operators use a low ph acid to clean cars. It is awful that this happens both low-end and high-end washes do it, and there is no way to know without asking. But, there are good guys out there that use brand soaps. Look for Turtle Wax or Lustra brands they don't use low ph. What can happen is the wheel gets "flashed" or the finish is burnt. I know of nothing to fix this other than getting it refinished.
Look out for touchless washes they use the harshest chemicals! Soft Foam is the best wash for a cars finish. Or hand wash, but becareful your mitt, cloth, or sponge has no grit in it.

brandotron · 06-28-2010, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g-townmach

Don't use those kind of carwashes. The soap many of them use is caustic. If it doesn't get completely rinsed off a polished wheel it will corrode.

Try using some standard aluminum polish compound and a very light cutting pad.

Are you sure? I thought the factory polished wheels were clearcoated.

Nine Ball · 06-28-2010, 05:12 PM

Sketti does not have factory wheels, he has 22" billet forged wheels. Factory wheels should be treated like a painted surface, because they are painted (even the polished ones have a clearcoat).

Chemical stains are a PITA to get out, they sort of etch the surface. The good news is that with enough polishing, that bad surface will wear down to the good surface. Mothers isn't very abrasive, it works best as a cleaner in my opinion. You might contact a pro detail shop in your area, they usually have 3 or so different abrasive levels of polish. Then it becomes a 2 to 3 step repolishing job. More abrasive to cut the stains, then the less abrasive to bring out the shine.

Also, once you do get them shiny again, be sure to keep a coat of automotive wax on them. Every single time you wash the car, hit the wheels with some wax on a microfiber. That will help them repel water and chemicals.

And no more automatic car washes!

Sketti · 06-28-2010, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nine Ball

Sketti does not have factory wheels, he has 22" billet forged wheels. Factory wheels should be treated like a painted surface, because they are painted (even the polished ones have a clearcoat).

Chemical stains are a PITA to get out, they sort of etch the surface. The good news is that with enough polishing, that bad surface will wear down to the good surface. Mothers isn't very abrasive, it works best as a cleaner in my opinion. You might contact a pro detail shop in your area, they usually have 3 or so different abrasive levels of polish. Then it becomes a 2 to 3 step repolishing job. More abrasive to cut the stains, then the less abrasive to bring out the shine.

Also, once you do get them shiny again, be sure to keep a coat of automotive wax on them. Every single time you wash the car, hit the wheels with some wax on a microfiber. That will help them repel water and chemicals.

And no more automatic car washes!

Ok, thanks Tony

Sketti · 06-28-2010, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB @ C and L Machine

These are my wheels. I tried to take pics of the stains but you can't see them in the pics so I didn't post them. :(

Rafsanjani · 06-28-2010, 08:30 PM

Oh NOO! Not those wheels!!! I hope you get them cleaned. I love those wheels!

SILVER BULLITT · 06-28-2010, 11:59 PM

MY GOODNESS ..... THOSE WHEELS ARE SO SIMPLE YET SO SWEEEEETTTTT !!!! I HOPE YOU GET THE PROBLEM FIXED!GOOD LUCK

Sevn86 · 06-29-2010, 12:10 AM

That sucks...I still dont get how a touchless carwash would stain your wheels...thats strange. I wash mine at home for many reasons and now i can add this to the list...Hope you get them fixed soon...

Nine Ball · 06-29-2010, 01:57 PM

Sevn86, read reply #15 above. Harsh chemicals are often used in car washes to clean the cars.

I avoid pretty much every car wash now, unless I have my own bucket and sponge with me (only for road trips).

Darth_Emma · 06-29-2010, 03:08 PM

I only go to the wash do-it-yourself wand wash in town and I only use the "rinse" cycle on it for fresh water. I bring my own buckets, mitts, and car shampoo.

Those wheels are beautiful, Sketti. You might consider going to Adamsforums.com to ask folks there for advice. I am NOT affiliated in any way with Adam's except that I use Adam's care care products on my Camaro and their discussion forums have some wonderfully knowledgeable people in them.

g-townmach · 06-29-2010, 03:16 PM

Check this out: http://www.everbritecoatings.com/wheels.html

Takes away a little of the polished shine, but might be a viable option for a protective clearcoat.

I don't have experience with their wheel coating but I've used their brass polish for several things and was pleased.

mickss · 06-29-2010, 03:44 PM

Sketti did this car wash use what is called a "Spot free rinse" or something simular?

Nine Ball · 06-30-2010, 10:29 AM

"Spot Free Rinse" is typically deionized water, basically filtered of any contaminants or ions that make them bond. If you see that stuff called wheel/tire or engine cleaner, never use that stuff!

MadMav · 06-30-2010, 02:06 PM

I would go to the owner of the car wash and have them fix the damage they did.

Mav

06-28-2010, 05:12 PM	#17
Nine Ball Drives: 1969 & 2016 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 3,849	Sketti does not have factory wheels, he has 22" billet forged wheels. Factory wheels should be treated like a painted surface, because they are painted (even the polished ones have a clearcoat). Chemical stains are a PITA to get out, they sort of etch the surface. The good news is that with enough polishing, that bad surface will wear down to the good surface. Mothers isn't very abrasive, it works best as a cleaner in my opinion. You might contact a pro detail shop in your area, they usually have 3 or so different abrasive levels of polish. Then it becomes a 2 to 3 step repolishing job. More abrasive to cut the stains, then the less abrasive to bring out the shine. Also, once you do get them shiny again, be sure to keep a coat of automotive wax on them. Every single time you wash the car, hit the wheels with some wax on a microfiber. That will help them repel water and chemicals. And no more automatic car washes! __________________ Fquick.com/NineBall

06-28-2010, 08:30 PM	#20
Rafsanjani What now Bitches? Drives: 2013 SW ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 600	Oh NOO! Not those wheels!!! I hope you get them cleaned. I love those wheels! __________________ 2013 SW ZL1

06-28-2010, 11:59 PM	#21
SILVER BULLITT Drives: 2010 SIM 2SS/RS MONSTER Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: LOS ANGELES Posts: 1,506 View My Garage	MY GOODNESS ..... THOSE WHEELS ARE SO SIMPLE YET SO SWEEEEETTTTT !!!! I HOPE YOU GET THE PROBLEM FIXED!GOOD LUCK __________________ HP MONSTER' SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BUILT, LMR CAI, CUSTOM GRIND CAM, CUSTOM BUILT CNC PORTED AND POLISHED HEADS, FAST 102MM INTAKE MANIFOLD,ARH LONG TUBES AND HIGH FLOW CATS, BIGGER INJECTORS, VALVES SPRINGS RETAINERS, MGW SHORT SHIFTER, EIBACH SPRINGS, FACTORY CHROMED WHEELS, BLACKED OUT EMBLEMS, BLACKED OUT ROOF,BLACKED OUT MARKERS, 3.5 INCH ELECTRONIC CUTOUTS, FLOWMASTERS, ZEX WET 150 SHOT, FOR A GRAND TOTAL OF =630 REAR WHEEL TORQUE ,AND 600 REAR WHEEL HORSEPOWER MY JOURNALhttp://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...02#post2023802 SOON TWIN TURBO SETUP

06-29-2010, 01:57 PM	#23
Nine Ball Drives: 1969 & 2016 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 3,849	Sevn86, read reply #15 above. Harsh chemicals are often used in car washes to clean the cars. I avoid pretty much every car wash now, unless I have my own bucket and sponge with me (only for road trips). __________________ Fquick.com/NineBall

06-29-2010, 03:16 PM	#25
g-townmach I FARTED Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: cen-tex Posts: 870	Check this out: http://www.everbritecoatings.com/wheels.html Takes away a little of the polished shine, but might be a viable option for a protective clearcoat. I don't have experience with their wheel coating but I've used their brass polish for several things and was pleased. __________________

06-28-2010, 04:36 PM	#15
2cnd chance Too Many Great Choices Drives: Grand Sport/Z07 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: A Mountain Road Posts: 7,454	i design and sell car washes, that being said some operators use a low ph acid to clean cars. It is awful that this happens both low-end and high-end washes do it, and there is no way to know without asking. But, there are good guys out there that use brand soaps. Look for Turtle Wax or Lustra brands they don't use low ph. What can happen is the wheel gets "flashed" or the finish is burnt. I know of nothing to fix this other than getting it refinished. Look out for touchless washes they use the harshest chemicals! Soft Foam is the best wash for a cars finish. Or hand wash, but becareful your mitt, cloth, or sponge has no grit in it.

06-29-2010, 03:08 PM	#24
Darth_Emma Psssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhh! Drives: under contruction Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Marysville, Ohio Posts: 12,996 View My Garage	I only go to the wash do-it-yourself wand wash in town and I only use the "rinse" cycle on it for fresh water. I bring my own buckets, mitts, and car shampoo. Those wheels are beautiful, Sketti. You might consider going to Adamsforums.com to ask folks there for advice. I am NOT affiliated in any way with Adam's except that I use Adam's care care products on my Camaro and their discussion forums have some wonderfully knowledgeable people in them.

06-29-2010, 03:44 PM	#26
mickss Drives: 2010 Camaro LS-M6 67 Chevelle Wgn Join Date: May 2009 Location: . Posts: 1,509 View My Garage	Sketti did this car wash use what is called a "Spot free rinse" or something simular?

06-30-2010, 10:29 AM	#27
Nine Ball Drives: 1969 & 2016 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 3,849	"Spot Free Rinse" is typically deionized water, basically filtered of any contaminants or ions that make them bond. If you see that stuff called wheel/tire or engine cleaner, never use that stuff! __________________ Fquick.com/NineBall

06-30-2010, 02:06 PM	#28
MadMav Drives: 2010 SS/RS M6 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Falcon, CO Posts: 661	I would go to the owner of the car wash and have them fix the damage they did. Mav __________________ SS/RS M6, SIM, CGM stripes, Barton S/T, BMR trailing arms, ADM Race intake(no scoop), Texas Speed 1 7/8" headers and full 3" exhaust, RMCR custom tune.

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