How to make your polished Y2K C5 wheels (or others) shine again - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

gofast908z · 10-15-2010, 06:14 PM

This works for any wheels with clearcoat on them, which is 90% of wheels out there. Polished wheels tend to look dull after a while. Why? Well they have clear coat just like your paint, but most people never wax or seal them, so the clear oxidizes. And people use a wheel polish (designed for metal) on the wheel's clear coat. You wouldn't use wheel polish on your hood would you? Sadly many people do and it severly dulls the finish.

Method:

(Done properly, this should take 1-2 hours)
First clean the wheel with an APC or safe wheel cleaner. After cleaning them, claybar them with an OLD claybar and some detail spray. You can use a new bar, but if you do, never ever use it on your cars paint after this. Now that you've prepped the wheel, this is what you'll need. A rotary buffer (Makita, Hitachi, DeWalt, etc), a 2 7/8" or 3" backing plate, a few 4" Lake Country orange pads, and Meguiars #105. (Add 4" Lake Country white pads and Meguiars #205 if you want even more gloss). Using a small amount of the #105, work it into the wheel face/spokes/lips with even and light pressure. 900-1000 rpm is ideal. Use no more than 1200 rpm. After you're happy with the gloss, wipe it off and wash it again. Once its freshly cleaned again, seal it or wax it with your favorite wax or sealant. And remember to maintain them by putting a fresh coat on every 1-2 months.

Befores:

AFTER

And now another wheel, before...

AFTERS

Hope that helps some of you guys!!

d69chris · 10-15-2010, 06:28 PM

A thing of Beauty to be sure........

garcmol · 10-15-2010, 08:01 PM

Yeah that helps a ton!!! I have those wheels on my Corvette and I've been trying every aluminum polish under the sun to get them looking good.

Now I find out they are clear coated

Well I'll be.....

gofast908z · 10-16-2010, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garcmol

Yeah that helps a ton!!! I have those wheels on my Corvette and I've been trying every aluminum polish under the sun to get them looking good.

Now I find out they are clear coated

Well I'll be.....

Glad to hear it helps. Keep in mind, your Camaro wheels are clear coated as well.

klatterblast · 10-16-2010, 06:09 AM

good job

10-15-2010, 08:01 PM	#3
garcmol Drives: 10 1LT SIM; 91 B4C sleeper Z Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ft. Mitchell, Alabama Posts: 7,198	Yeah that helps a ton!!! I have those wheels on my Corvette and I've been trying every aluminum polish under the sun to get them looking good. Now I find out they are clear coated Well I'll be..... __________________ Pedders Pace Car Package, Injen CAI, Flowmaster AT, AAC Lighting, ZL1 fascia/skirts, RKSport Ram Air hood, vented fenders, painted stripes (Gary's Customz), Honor and Valor badged (Thank you, John)

10-16-2010, 06:09 AM	#5
klatterblast Drives: 2010 camaro 2ssrs blk. Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: walker la. Posts: 1,732 View My Garage	good job __________________ 2010 Hennessey HPE650 2SSRS Blk/Blk Magnuson TVS2300,ported heads,cam,Hotchkis suspension. Weld 17”s, Mickey Thompson’s.

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10-15-2010, 06:14 PM	#1
gofast908z Drives: Camaro Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: California Posts: 392	How to make your polished Y2K C5 wheels (or others) shine again This works for any wheels with clearcoat on them, which is 90% of wheels out there. Polished wheels tend to look dull after a while. Why? Well they have clear coat just like your paint, but most people never wax or seal them, so the clear oxidizes. And people use a wheel polish (designed for metal) on the wheel's clear coat. You wouldn't use wheel polish on your hood would you? Sadly many people do and it severly dulls the finish. Method: (Done properly, this should take 1-2 hours) First clean the wheel with an APC or safe wheel cleaner. After cleaning them, claybar them with an OLD claybar and some detail spray. You can use a new bar, but if you do, never ever use it on your cars paint after this. Now that you've prepped the wheel, this is what you'll need. A rotary buffer (Makita, Hitachi, DeWalt, etc), a 2 7/8" or 3" backing plate, a few 4" Lake Country orange pads, and Meguiars #105. (Add 4" Lake Country white pads and Meguiars #205 if you want even more gloss). Using a small amount of the #105, work it into the wheel face/spokes/lips with even and light pressure. 900-1000 rpm is ideal. Use no more than 1200 rpm. After you're happy with the gloss, wipe it off and wash it again. Once its freshly cleaned again, seal it or wax it with your favorite wax or sealant. And remember to maintain them by putting a fresh coat on every 1-2 months. Befores: AFTER And now another wheel, before... AFTERS Hope that helps some of you guys!! __________________ Jeff 2008 Z06 - Heads/cam/intake/exhaust/tune 2005 Sierra STL ext cab -5.3L, Daily/Detail Rig

10-15-2010, 06:28 PM	#2
d69chris Florida C5 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Vortech L99 IOM Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Tequesta, FL Posts: 2,608 View My Garage	A thing of Beauty to be sure........ __________________ Ordered 11/08/08....Del. 08/05/2009 Loving every minute of it! Don't hate me because i'm Pretty....