jasonlab

so i just tried to clean my chrome wheels and they dont look chromed anymore. i just did one but it looks polished now, no chrome. did i take the chrome away or i need to clean it an other way?

Boilermaker1

iTrader: (16)

What did you use?

NOgoEM2

what did you use on the wheel?

jasonlab

Pure Citrus, cleans everything inside & outside your home. i use heavy duty scour pads to wipe it off. i think that might have been the problem. but there was staines on my wheels because i left them in my garage for the winter. trying to get the staines to come off, i think i got the chrome off.

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

wow so from the looks of it, you used some sort of degreaser and rubbed it in with sandpaper basically. always treat your wheels like the paint of the car. Sorry to say but i think they're ruined. Anyone know a fix?

Civic04

iTrader: (1)

LOL well a fix would be to take it to a wheel shop most of then know where to get them rechromed. All depends on the place most turn out ok you did most of the prep work for them

gipperkid

iTrader: (9)

Use some 3M Fine Cut or 3M Machine Finish rubbing compound and a buffer, or a rotary tool with polishing pad. It may take out the fine scratches. It's worth a shot.

Boilermaker1

iTrader: (16)

Congratulations You scotchbrited a mirror surface.
Now that you know what abrasives do, you're going to have to find a way to get all those scratches out, which is why they look dull. If you're lucking and you didn't scrub hard, you MIGHT be able to re-mirror them with polishing compound, some chrome polish and a lot of work, but the chrome for all intents and purposes is ****ed. All those scratches are going to make the sub-layers show, which is going to make it look aweful once it gets wet and corrodes. I hope they were crappy rims, cuz you might as well get new ones now.

Future lesson... use chrome wheel cleaner and a microfiber cloth.

ncirom2003

iTrader: (7)

dont listen to them, you did it right. shiny chrome is actually chrome gone bad, you cleaned the bad off your rims. good job.

hondoer27

Post some pics

Boilermaker1

iTrader: (16)

Ummm no, you don't rub acidic stuff into any wheel finish with an abrasive cloth.
If you're going to go the rubbing route, you definetly don't want to use scotchbrite, they make polishing compounds for that.


For **** on chrome, believe it or not coca-cola works, but he didn't do it right. You don't satin finish chrome rims.

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

i think he's joking.

ncirom2003

iTrader: (7)

shhhh let him keep going hahahahahaha

dude boiler, why would you take a post seriously when i say "shiny chrome is chrome gone bad, you cleaned the bad off your rims"

jasonlab

i think im pretty much ****ed. they are not great rims and i only did one, so its not that bad. also i found out that they are polished rims even though i got told they were chromed when i got the car. im thinking about buying a new rim or doing them all like that. it kinda looks like brushed aluminum. i might also be able to repolish it. i will clean it and post some pics 2morow.

I know, im an idiot. but at least i learned with american racing 15"

cleancivic 05

ok wow what were u thinking

boxcarracer

iTrader: (13)

why didnt soap and water sound like a option or rim cleaner? or brake dust cleaner.....

jasonlab

actually, its a lame excuse. but my friend told my to use those. i went to the store with him, picked up a spunge and he told me i need the harder one to get the stained off for good.... yeah, got the whole wheel off. oh well, ill see what i can do tomorrow.

Boilermaker1

iTrader: (16)

Because there are some metallic compounds where the corrosion shows up as a sheen over the surface.

Its also pretty ignorant to take a fairly legit question, as stupid as it may be, and then throw the kid for a loop.
Keep the bullshit to the "whats the best supercharger" threads.