My rims are nasty...

[Bmer89]

What is on my rims and why can't I get it off??? :cryin: It's been a while since I've cleaned my rims because I've been too poor to buy wheel cleaner. And now I can't seem to get them any cleaner than this.

http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo253/Bmer89/0307001515.jpg
http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo253/Bmer89/0307001514.jpg

Any suggestions? Help would be greatly appreciated!

[Ty]

Try a claybar, and if that doesn't work... order some Tarminator... if that doesn't work try refinishing them :P

I refuse to use acids on wheels, but if you want to go ahead.

[Bmer89]

Hmm I'll try a clay bar tomorrow, if it's not raining... And what is/how much is tarminator? Refinishing would be nice, but way out of my price range...

[Ty]

http://www.properautocare.com/9115.html

[97lsteg]

Also, may be a long-shot, but sometimes WD-40 can do the trick. Since it penetrates AND is water based it can get through some harsh stuff while being really gentle on your parts. Good for getting sap of paint BTW :wink5:

[Ty]

Also, may be a long-shot, but sometimes WD-40 can do the trick. Since it penetrates AND is water based it can get through some harsh stuff while being really gentle on your parts. Good for getting sap of paint BTW :wink5:

I don't believe WD-40 is water based.

It further lists flammability and effects to the human skin when repeatedly exposed to WD-40 as risks when using WD-40. Nitrile rubber gloves and safety glasses should be used. Water is unsuitable for extinguishing burning WD-40.

There is a popular, but incorrect, urban legend that the key ingredient in WD-40 is fish oil.[3] The WD-40 web site states that it is a petroleum based product [4]

[97lsteg]

Weird. I used to be in charge of vehicle damages at a car wash and hey always told me it was haha. Guess I learned something new today lol. Either way it can work wonders on pitch.

[Mr Yuck]

Let us know if clay bar works. When done, wax the rims.

For that kind of wheel, you don't need wheel cleaner, just soap and water whenever you wash your car is fine for cleaning them when they aren't bad.

[Bmer89]

I haven't gotten around to doing this yet, this week's been crazy... I'll try tomorrow if it's still light out when I get home.

And would I just use the wax I use on the car? Or is there wheel wax?

[Bmer89]

Well I tried out the clay bar, and it did nothing. This stuff is caked on good. I'll probably have time tomorrow to try the WD-40. Any other suggestions before I have to spend money?

[MetaEnder]

Have 'em refinished, haha. Lets see, if it was me....


And this is probably bad for 'em, but I would probably take a scotch pad to 'em, or maybe even steel wool and get them all scraped up, ha. I don't know.

[gotrice93]

He could probably get away with a very fine steel wool. If the are clear coated you might try some wire wheel acid even though ty doesn't recommend it. We always used it in school when we would detail. Most of the time we could just spray it and let it sit for the recommended time (30 secs) or something like that and then wash it off with water and it would be a huge difference. Sometimes if the wheels were bad we would hit them with a soft brush, if u use it make sure to use latex or rubber gloves and wear a respirator. You don't wanna breathe it in.

[Ty]

I've seen too many time where people etch into the wheels with acids because they're careless.

If you're set on the idea. Meguiar's Wheel Brightener is one of the best, I've heard.

[Bmer89]

Wheel brightener will get the junk off the wheels? I'm not really set on anything, I just want something to clean my wheels lol. I don't remember them getting this bad last winter...

So after (if) I get my wheels clean, what the best way to keep them protected? I have Blue Magic wheel polish, and looks great when the wheels are clean.

[Ty]

Wheel brightener will get the junk off the wheels? I'm not really set on anything, I just want something to clean my wheels lol. I don't remember them getting this bad last winter...

So after (if) I get my wheels clean, what the best way to keep them protected? I have Blue Magic wheel polish, and looks great when the wheels are clean.

When they're clean, pretty much any car wax or sealant you use on your paint can be used on the wheels as well. I like to use collinite #845 on wheels because it lasts for so long.

[Bmer89]

Cool, good to know. I have some wax bottles that are just about empty but I didn't want to throw them away, now they have a good use :)

[gotrice93]

I've seen too many time where people etch into the wheels with acids because they're careless.


Is this because they don't pay attention to directions and let it sit on the wheels to long? I know when we would use it we had to check with our instructor to make sure the wheels had a proper finish so the acid wouldn't mess them up. Is that another reason people mess wheels up is by not having a proper finish?

[RaptorReed]

Those wheels don't look as bad as my stockers where the clear coat is gone especially on the machined lip surface. Color matching stockers is a win and a fail sometimes.

[509nestor]

your wheels dont look as bad really but you cant redo the damages done by mother nature. those wheels look like they have some sort of wheel clear. The clear that is used on wheels is not like your automotive clear. that clear is different and when it gets pitted you really cant go bak. the best thing you can do is maybe if your careful is take some 800 grit wet sand paper sand until those pits go away or the spotting dissaperes and go up to 1000-1200-1400. then you can take the mothers powerball and and a 3m course polishing compound and then go go finest its a long process but i can only tell you by experience that is works your gonna have to clean them once or twice a week but its worth it if you like those wheels

[Bmer89]

Thanks for the tips! I do like the wheels, and would love to one day refinish them. When I have some spare time, I'll grab some sand paper and compound and go to town on these things. They used to be fairly clean... I miss that :(

[97lsteg]

At this point I would sand them down smooth and go buy duplicolor silver rim paint and matching clear coat. They would brand new and cost you like $20 and a few hours haha.

[MetaEnder]

At this point I would sand them down smooth and go buy duplicolor silver rim paint and matching clear coat. They would brand new and cost you like $20 and a few hours haha.

I'd prolly do the same. Or, sand 'em down, and have 'em painted professionally, but same idea, ha.

[Bmer89]

Eh, I don't think these wheels would look good painted. IMO they look better bare. I really want to get started sanding/compounding/polishing but I've got so little time, my only spare time is in the evening when it's cold and dark out lol. I'm almost tempted to take one wheel off at a time each night and go to town in my room.

I'm hoping to at least get a couple done this weekend. Progress will be documented with pictures and commentary. ;)

[Bmer89]

Ok so I had time to get one rim done today. My parents wanted some yard work to be done, then I had to go to work... So here's how it went.

Started like this:
http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo253/Bmer89/0327001331.jpg

Then I dug in with the 800 grit wet sand paper, the nasty spots and junk came off easier than I expected. Not too bad eh?
http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo253/Bmer89/0327001339.jpg

Whole rim after the 800. Looks a million times better already.
http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo253/Bmer89/0327001420.jpg

Then I worked from 1000-1500-2000 grits. Didn't bother taking pics of those steps because my camera wouldn't have picked up the difference. So here is a snapshot after a little bit of the rubbing compound (AKA magic in a bottle). The cone tip worked perfect too. On the right is finished, middle bottom is in progress, left side is yet to be done.
http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo253/Bmer89/0327001631.jpg

Before/after comparison.
http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo253/Bmer89/0327001631a.jpg

Completed rim next to nasty rim
http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo253/Bmer89/0327001712.jpg

And finally on the car (which is quite dirty itself...)
http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo253/Bmer89/0327001735.jpg

[gotrice93]

Are you using a wet/dry sand paper? We use to use a scuff paste applied to a scotch pad to prep plastic bumpers and prep for clear, i wonder if it would work or it might be to gritty.

[Bmer89]

Yeah it was a wet/dry sand paper, 3M stuff from autozone.

[gotrice93]

I'm sorry haha that stuff isn't cheap! I would of hated to see the invoice bills when I was in school, we bought the 50 sheet packs. But it looks great Brad

[Bmer89]

Yeah it was more expensive than I thought it would be haha. I think they were almost 5 bucks a pack, with only 5 sheets in them. But oh well, it did the job and I didn't have to pay a pro to refinish them :D

[gotrice93]

That's not bad, I paid 8 bucks for a 5 pack of 800 grit. I'm afraid to buy 3000 grit for my air sander to cut my paint paint so I can buff it.

[Bmer89]

Lol I don't blame ya. The Powerball "Cone" was $30, which I thought was pretty overpriced as well for some foam on a metal stick...

[Stang]

100 times better good work

[Bmer89]

Thanks! I'm pretty pleased with the outcome!

Got a second wheel done today!
http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo253/Bmer89/0328001645.jpg

[MetaEnder]

Wow! Looks way good! Good call going with the lower to higher grit paper, the shine is nice for that.

Looks like this is definitely a case of the "slow and steady" jobs, ha. I know how it can be working a little bit at a time, I bet your hand is pretty tired, haha.

[gotrice93]

Wow! Looks way good! Good call going with the lower to higher grit paper, the shine is nice for that.


You want to go from higher grit(low #) to lower grit(high #) ALWAYS. A higher grit (low #)ie: 600-800 is going to remove the gunk quicker but leaves sand scratches from the sand paper, the point of going to a lower grit(high #) is to help remove those from the naked eye.

[MetaEnder]

You want to go from higher grit(low #) to lower grit(high #) ALWAYS. A higher grit (low #)ie: 600-800 is going to remove the gunk quicker but leaves sand scratches from the sand paper, the point of going to a lower grit(high #) is to help remove those from the naked eye.

Yeah, haha. That's what I meant, just got 'em mixed up!

I don't have thaaat much experience with sanding, only on Bondo work, but I will probably do a little bit when I spray tint my tail lights, or do any painting.

[Bmer89]

Wow! Looks way good! Good call going with the lower to higher grit paper, the shine is nice for that.

Looks like this is definitely a case of the "slow and steady" jobs, ha. I know how it can be working a little bit at a time, I bet your hand is pretty tired, haha.

Yeah, it was a slow and steady job for sure! Hand got a little tired indeed lol. My lower back is more sore though, from leaning over the wheel for so long. Worth it? Ohhh yes.

You want to go from higher grit(low #) to lower grit(high #) ALWAYS. A higher grit (low #)ie: 600-800 is going to remove the gunk quicker but leaves sand scratches from the sand paper, the point of going to a lower grit(high #) is to help remove those from the naked eye.

Yup, I think that's what he meant. These grits worked perfectly too.

[gotrice93]

Yup, I think that's what he meant. These grits worked perfectly too.

I figured that's what he meant. I was just explaining what the point in going to a less coarse sand paper was.

[MetaEnder]

Are you gonna do anything as far as clear coat/protection goes? Now that you've sanded it down and all.

[Bmer89]

I dunno, probably in the future. There wasn't any clear on there when I started sanding. So I'm just going to keep up on cleaning them and keeping them waxed for now. More permanent protection will be nice though.

[MetaEnder]

Yeah, wax and upkeep will keep them looking fine, especially if you nip rust in the bud.

[Bmer89]

Hopefully I did just that. As nice as these are turning out, I really don't want to have to do it again haha! I'll be keeping them in check from now on lol