Factory polished wheels, best way to polish? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Quicksilver2SS · 06-17-2019, 09:07 PM

I have factory polished wheels that I'm looking to get the most polished look I can from them, closest to chrome.

I'm thinking about using the mothers paint ball and meguires polish, any better methods?

Thanks!

lbls1 · 06-18-2019, 08:23 AM

If your wheels are clearcoated (typical factory) then you will need a polish specifically formulated for clearcoat wheels. Do not use a standard metal polish such as Mother's Billet, because you will strip away your clearcoat surface.

An example of a polish for clearcoats is Blue Magic. There are other brands as well.

If you are in a pinch, you can use a car paint polish (must be clearcoat formulated). The problem with a car paint cleaner is that it isn't specifically made to address aluminum oxidation. You may find success with some car clearcoat polishes though. You should use Blue Magic as an example and/or search for other wheel polishes similar to it. Good luck.

Reichler · 06-20-2019, 08:05 AM

You're wheels are clearcoated, so trying to "polish" them like they are raw aluminum won't do anything to make them shine more. You want to treat them just like you do your paint. Use a good polish on them to clean up the clearcoat, then wax/seal/coat them to keep them protected.

I use the same polish as I do on my paint, then coat them with a ceramic coating to make them easier to clean. Usually do this once a year.

Quicksilver2SS · 07-09-2019, 08:24 PM

Just an update, first I cleaned the wheels with meguiars ultimate all wheel cleaner, then used mothers yellow powerball for paint with meguiars ultimate polish, then topped it off with chemical guys max coat wheel guard. Damn close to chrome in direct sunlight!

NLcamaro71 · 06-29-2020, 07:33 AM

Did you get any fine scratches? I did a similar procedure. I cleaned my wheel with Meguiar ultimate wheel cleaner, then I used a Mother’s power cone with Meguiars ultimate compound. It looked like my wheel got worse. So I switched to ultimate polish but not getting rid of scratches!! Now I’m scratching my head! I don’t know what to try next. Any suggestions would be great! Thanks.

Quicksilver2SS · 06-29-2020, 12:12 PM

You have to use Mothers yellow ball for paint, not the red cone or ball. I had to order mine thru Amazon, none of the places that carry the red ball/cone even heard of it, too abrasive for clearcoat.

CamaroJim56 · 07-03-2020, 05:34 PM

Actual Chrome.

olblue75 · 07-06-2020, 11:47 PM

If I remember correctly the wheels aren’t actually chromed they are some kind of high shine chrome like paint and then cleared.

myold88 · 07-12-2020, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroJim56

Actual Chrome.

I bought these factory wheels chrome plated by CalChrome in California. I was disappointed with the
optional polished wheels I ordered on my 10 SS. Nothing looks better than chrome imo.

xstuntman · 07-13-2020, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroJim56

Actual Chrome.

Wow.
Those look fantastic and should have been a factory option.

CamaroJim56 · 07-13-2020, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xstuntman

Wow.
Those look fantastic and should have been a factory option.

Thanks.

I agree, they are now hard to find. I scraped the hell out of one and just spent 6 months finding a replacement, finelly found a single one the correct size on ebay. Sane size, same brand, only one. I shoulda bought a lottery ticket.

We need more chrome options, personally I hate the black wheels. Give me shiny contrast any day.

CamaroJim56 · 07-13-2020, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myold88

I bought these factory wheels chrome plated by CalChrome in California. I was disappointed with the
optional polished wheels I ordered on my 10 SS. Nothing looks better than chrome imo.

And you are right down the road from me.

06-17-2019, 09:07 PM	#1
Quicksilver2SS Drives: 2SS/RS LS3 NPP Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Sacramento Posts: 227	Factory polished wheels, best way to polish? I have factory polished wheels that I'm looking to get the most polished look I can from them, closest to chrome. I'm thinking about using the mothers paint ball and meguires polish, any better methods? Thanks! Attached Images __________________ Taylor 409's, BF Comp 2's, Z26 pads, Hurst billet shifter

06-18-2019, 08:23 AM	#2
lbls1 Drives: 2002 Camaro SS SOM; 2015 Malibu LTZ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 4,021	If your wheels are clearcoated (typical factory) then you will need a polish specifically formulated for clearcoat wheels. Do not use a standard metal polish such as Mother's Billet, because you will strip away your clearcoat surface. An example of a polish for clearcoats is Blue Magic. There are other brands as well. If you are in a pinch, you can use a car paint polish (must be clearcoat formulated). The problem with a car paint cleaner is that it isn't specifically made to address aluminum oxidation. You may find success with some car clearcoat polishes though. You should use Blue Magic as an example and/or search for other wheel polishes similar to it. Good luck. __________________ '02 CAMARO SS SOM; 5.7L LS1/FLS6B '08 TBSS AWD Black Granite Metallic '15 Malibu LTZ 2LZ Turbo *'14 CAMARO ZL1 Blue Ray Metallic*

07-09-2019, 08:24 PM	#4
Quicksilver2SS Drives: 2SS/RS LS3 NPP Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Sacramento Posts: 227	Just an update, first I cleaned the wheels with meguiars ultimate all wheel cleaner, then used mothers yellow powerball for paint with meguiars ultimate polish, then topped it off with chemical guys max coat wheel guard. Damn close to chrome in direct sunlight! Attached Images __________________ Taylor 409's, BF Comp 2's, Z26 pads, Hurst billet shifter

06-29-2020, 12:12 PM	#6
Quicksilver2SS Drives: 2SS/RS LS3 NPP Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Sacramento Posts: 227	You have to use Mothers yellow ball for paint, not the red cone or ball. I had to order mine thru Amazon, none of the places that carry the red ball/cone even heard of it, too abrasive for clearcoat. __________________ Taylor 409's, BF Comp 2's, Z26 pads, Hurst billet shifter Last edited by Quicksilver2SS; 06-29-2020 at 11:00 PM.

07-03-2020, 05:34 PM	#7
CamaroJim56 Obsessed Drives: 2016 Hyper Blue 2SS RS Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Riverview, FL Posts: 2,601	Actual Chrome. Attached Images __________________ 2016 Hyper Blue 2SS

06-20-2019, 08:05 AM	#3
Reichler Drives: 2004 GTO & 2005 GTO Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 303	You're wheels are clearcoated, so trying to "polish" them like they are raw aluminum won't do anything to make them shine more. You want to treat them just like you do your paint. Use a good polish on them to clean up the clearcoat, then wax/seal/coat them to keep them protected. I use the same polish as I do on my paint, then coat them with a ceramic coating to make them easier to clean. Usually do this once a year.

06-29-2020, 07:33 AM	#5
NLcamaro71 Drives: 2014 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: NL, Canada Posts: 4	Did you get any fine scratches? I did a similar procedure. I cleaned my wheel with Meguiar ultimate wheel cleaner, then I used a Mother’s power cone with Meguiars ultimate compound. It looked like my wheel got worse. So I switched to ultimate polish but not getting rid of scratches!! Now I’m scratching my head! I don’t know what to try next. Any suggestions would be great! Thanks.

07-06-2020, 11:47 PM	#8
olblue75 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Clarksville Tennesse. Posts: 6,062	If I remember correctly the wheels aren’t actually chromed they are some kind of high shine chrome like paint and then cleared. __________________ Orange Krush II 1LE Front sway bar, Splitter, shocks and struts, Z28 dual mode mufflers, Intake, UCA Bushings, and Toresen 3.91 Diff. 1 piece DSS Drive Shaft, ZL1/C7 Calipers, and 32mm JPSS Rear Bar. ASC race spec splitter and wicker. 6th Gen M017 Wheels. Stainless Works 1 7/8 LTs. DSE and PAFDT Suspension components.