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polishing plastic chrome wheels


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I've been playing with some different products trying to see what would polish the plastic chrome without scratching it and also keeping it looking shiny for more than a day or 2. P21s polishing soap is what is working for me. I still use an APC to clean them first and then go over them with the sponge and the P21s on it and then rinse that off. The chrome looks amazing and seems to keep better too. It is available at different places:

 

In the US:

http://www.autogeek.net/p153.html

 

In Canada:

http://www.eshine.ca/p21s_polishing_soap-1708.php

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If you mean the chrome clad wheels - downright impossible.

 

This sounds like I am moron, but it looks this way:

 

I have the limited. The wheels looked like they were all one piece rims when i bought it. After a few days I had it home, the wheels look like they have hubcaps. The rim has an lip on the outer edge that makes the rims looks like there is a plastic chrome hub caps. Is this what "chrome clad" means? The rims and the "so called" hub caps spokes match. I can see though the rims/hubcaps like they are made to fit each other.

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This sounds like I am moron, but it looks this way:

 

I have the limited. The wheels looked like they were all one piece rims when i bought it. After a few days I had it home, the wheels look like they have hubcaps. The rim has an lip on the outer edge that makes the rims looks like there is a plastic chrome hub caps. Is this what "chrome clad" means? The rims and the "so called" hub caps spokes match. I can see though the rims/hubcaps like they are made to fit each other.

 

They are definitely made to fit each other... they are also bonded to fit FOR....EV.....ER. (Unfortunately)

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  • 2 weeks later...

Frankly, I would not do that! Use an APC if they're filthy and follow it up with the product I mentioned above or something like Collinite metal wax or a good sealant.

 

I've been waiting for you to chime in. Was going to buy some stuff at the Pepboys this week and thought I should wait.

 

What do you recommend as an APC? something like natural Orange degreaser/cleaner diluted? Or 409? enlighten me please

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I've been waiting for you to chime in. Was going to buy some stuff at the Pepboys this week and thought I should wait.

 

What do you recommend as an APC? something like natural Orange degreaser/cleaner diluted? Or 409? enlighten me please

 

Sorry to take so long to get back to you. I have been using Zep Citrus for an APC for about 2 years now. It is great for cleaning wheels, wells, etc. It is available at Home Depot by the gallon for about $12. You dilute it 4:1 (water:product). I also recommend Zep purple degreaser for tires. It too can be diluted 4:1. I find it draws the brown crap (technical term, LOL) out of the tires better. Both products work very well and are cheap and are available locally. The bottle says do not use on paint. Ignore it. Trust me on that. I have recommended it to hundreds of people. Zep products in general are really good.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I finally got around to caring about my rims (my least favorite part of detailing). What I did turned out awesome.

 

- I sprayed some P21 Total Auto wash on the rims, and let it dwell for about a minute.

- Used a glove wash mitt and washed and the chrome. Let air dry.

- Applied Poor Boy's Wheel Sealent, let dry to a haze.

- Wiped off with a terry cloth.

 

They look like new again.

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Sorry to take so long to get back to you. I have been using Zep Citrus for an APC for about 2 years now. It is great for cleaning wheels, wells, etc. It is available at Home Depot by the gallon for about $12. You dilute it 4:1 (water:product). I also recommend Zep purple degreaser for tires. It too can be diluted 4:1. I find it draws the brown crap (technical term, LOL) out of the tires better. Both products work very well and are cheap and are available locally. The bottle says do not use on paint. Ignore it. Trust me on that. I have recommended it to hundreds of people. Zep products in general are really good.

 

haha... awesome! I've been using that stuff for a couple years now but never noticed the name :lol:

 

Makes me feel good to know I've been using something that a detailing pro uses. wub.gif

 

 

BTW, I just got some Optimum No Rinse and a Cobra Total MF kit. I'm excited to wash my car! :lol: :lol:

Edited by cal3thousand
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haha... awesome! I've been using that stuff for a couple years now but never noticed the name :lol:

 

Makes me feel good to know I've been using something that a detailing pro uses. wub.gif

 

 

BTW, I just got some Optimum No Rinse and a Cobra Total MF kit. I'm excited to wash my car! :lol: :lol:

 

Good for you!!! ONR will be your best friend. I use it when my car is clean but I got some bugs on the front. Let your bug sponge soak in the ONR and then have at it. The added lubricity of the ONR is great and the bugs come right off.

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Good for you!!! ONR will be your best friend. I use it when my car is clean but I got some bugs on the front. Let your bug sponge soak in the ONR and then have at it. The added lubricity of the ONR is great and the bugs come right off.

 

Just did a 2 bucket wash with ONR this weekend and my car is looking HOT. A co-worker commented on how exceptionally nice my car looked in the parking lot when he arrived at his desk. happy%20feet.gif

 

It takes some getting used to as far as feel and process goes. But for maintenance washes, ONR will be my staple.

 

But back on topic, ONR does a fantastic job on the chrome(ish) wheels if they aren't too cruddy. Hard water spots and some old factory adhesive came right off. I have a set of Armor All Microfiber towels that I reserve for the wheels now. I bought them at Wal-mart before I knew how crappy they were compared to my new Cobra towels. The waffle weave drying towel is amazing.

 

Question though, if you did a ONR wash and wanted to clean your tires before using Tire Gel, what's the best way to go about that?

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Just did a 2 bucket wash with ONR this weekend and my car is looking HOT. A co-worker commented on how exceptionally nice my car looked in the parking lot when he arrived at his desk. happy%20feet.gif

 

It takes some getting used to as far as feel and process goes. But for maintenance washes, ONR will be my staple.

 

But back on topic, ONR does a fantastic job on the chrome(ish) wheels if they aren't too cruddy. Hard water spots and some old factory adhesive came right off. I have a set of Armor All Microfiber towels that I reserve for the wheels now. I bought them at Wal-mart before I knew how crappy they were compared to my new Cobra towels. The waffle weave drying towel is amazing.

 

Question though, if you did a ONR wash and wanted to clean your tires before using Tire Gel, what's the best way to go about that?

 

Take one of your lesser quality mf's and dunk it in the ONR and do the tires last. Dry them off with another one and then put the dressing on over that. I usually don't do that to be honest. If just my wheels/tires/wells need cleaning, then I will get out the power washer and do that and then pull it back in the garage and do the rest with ONR. (especially in this 90+ degree heat lately). The other method will work too, even on the wells.

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  • 1 year later...

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="chiefc2" data-cid="94984" data-time="1365469571"><p>

I made the mistake of using metal chrome polish on the chrome wheels of my Edge Limited. They seem to have a haze on them. Is there any way to bring them back to new ?</p></blockquote>

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