So now that we have some good weather... I went to work last night on the rims, but to me they do not look as shiny as they did when I got the ride in October. What do you all use to keep the wheels bright and swirl free???

Dupont Teflon Wheel Cleaner + Eagle One Nano Wax + Mothers Powerball = happiness

I used that Nano Wax the other weekend and it seems to have done a decent job. I left out the Dupont Teflon Wheel Cleaner part (didn't have any), but the Nano Wax took off any discoloration from brake dust etc, in the corners.

Rims are now shiny.

It depends on how bad you've let them get. In my experience, if you're diligent about cleaning often, than a Powerball works well but if you're like me and let them go wayyyyyyy too long between polishing, you're going to need a good polish and a lot of elbow grease. I use Mother's aluminum polish and shop rags.

I was under the impression that aluminum polish was for wheels that did not have a clearcoat.

I don't know, do these have clearcoat or not?

It depends on how bad you've let them get. In my experience, if you're diligent about cleaning often, than a Powerball works well but if you're like me and let them go wayyyyyyy too long between polishing, you're going to need a good polish and a lot of elbow grease. I use Mother's aluminum polish and shop rags.

Heres a tip!!!

Mothers billet aluminum polish......
http://www.mothers.com/products/productcatalog/productpics/05106_180px.jpg

regular mothers does a good job.....billet stuff takes it to a whole other level...

If you are wonderig how I know, I used to do custom bikes with polished aluminum frames....regular mothers did a good job but switching to the billet stuff made frames look like chrome...

Dont forget to rinse!!

I was under the impression that aluminum polish was for wheels that did not have a clearcoat.

Houston, I just went to the auto parts store and read all of the labels on the wheel cleaners/polishes.....90% of them were not for clearcoated wheels. I did however find a couple that were for clearcoated wheels.....Wheel Wax was one of them.....don't remember the one I bought. I'll check when I get home.

Heres a tip!!!

Mothers billet aluminum polish......
http://www.mothers.com/products/productcatalog/productpics/05106_180px.jpg

regular mothers does a good job.....billet stuff takes it to a whole other level...

If you are wonderig how I know, I used to do custom bikes with polished aluminum frames....regular mothers did a good job but switching to the billet stuff made frames look like chrome...

Dont forget to rinse!!

I don't think this would be good for our wheels.....especially since they have a clearcoat. *shrugs shoulders*

Yes, these wheels are cleared. I've never polished, so I don't know, but since polishes are abrasives, I would have guessed that polishing cleacoat might not be the best idea. That is TOTALLY just the thought that I had though-- wait for a pro to give a definitive answer on the subject.

Yes, these wheels are cleared. I've never polished, so I don't know, but since polishes are abrasives, I would have guessed that polishing cleacoat might not be the best idea. That is TOTALLY just the thought that I had though-- wait for a pro to give a definitive answer on the subject.
Agreed. I will not polish my wheels with anything but the Wheel Wax listed above.

Dupont Teflon Wheel Cleaner + Eagle One Nano Wax + Mothers Powerball and a little Eagle One Never Dull (by hand) only where needed.
I have also tried Wheel Shield by Pit Stop International. I am not yet convinced that this stuff really works. Wheel Wax may be better.

I've used MAG from Ardex to clean, it seems to work well. I do have corrosion starting under the clear in spots already. :mad:

This qustion is a branch off the wax tree but... Can I clean the rims with some Windex? I do this on the Vette because of the chromes but I wonder if the chemicals would eat up the clear?

As far as the wax goes, I've used some good 'ol fashioned turtle wax and it came out blingin'

Dupont Teflon Wheel Cleaner + Eagle One Nano Wax + Mothers Powerball and a little Eagle One Never Dull (by hand) only where needed.
I have also tried Wheel Shield by Pit Stop International. I am not yet convinced that this stuff really works. Wheel Wax may be better.

I believe Never Dull is for metal surfaces not clearcoat. :confused:

The only products that should be used on these clearcoated rims are the same products you use on your clearcoated paint because they both have the same finish. Using aluminum or metal polish is doing nothing for the aluminum wheel because it is under the clearcoat. Whether or not it does damage to the clearcoat I don't know. It can't be helping it though since thats not what its made for.

Besides you wouldn't use never dull on your paint ......would you?:rolleyes: