Care of Polished Rims

[road_racefan]

I've got polished rims on the 01 I just bought. What are the recommendations for care of these rims? I've usually had chrome rims, and was just curious as to what everyone is using to care for them.

 

[Chrisr]

Hi there Road racefan,
I have an 03 with the factory clear coated rims. I'm assuming these are the same type you have also. I always use whatever wax (Meguir's NXT) I'm using on the body, on the wheels. I've never had any problems and they come up looking good. I don't recommend anything with a petroleum base, though. I also use the Meguirs Hot Rims wheel cleaner too, I swear by that stuff!!!!!

Chris

 

[road_racefan]

Thanks! I wasn't sure what to use. They cleaned up pretty well when I washed the car, but wasn't sure want to protect them with.

 

[Lucy64]

Mothers has the Power Ball that you attach to the drill and use a polish that they sell for the Power Ball that works very well and take very little time. It is so sweet that I gave a Power Ball to both of my sons for Christmas.

 

[Chrisr]

I forgot about the power ball. I have one too and can vouch that it works great!!!!

 

[Remo]

Do you guys ever take the wheels off and clean the inner back side of the rims?

Remo:cool

 

[Lucy64]

No...I have never taken my wheels off for cleaning. To tell you the truth I never really thought about it but there must be alot of dust back there.

 

[Chrisr]

Do you guys ever take the wheels off and clean the inner back side of the rims?

Remo:cool

I've only had my vette for a year and the wheels are decent inside. But I do plan on taking them off and cleaning the inside.
Alot of crap gets back there!! :nono

 

[Gorgon]

Do you guys ever take the wheels off and clean the inner back side of the rims?

Remo:cool

Yes. The early C5 "wagon wheels" have spokes that make it hard to get in and clean the inside of the rim and keep the calipers clean. Actually, I plan on removing the wheels this weekend for cleaning. It's amazing how much it affects the appearance of the entire car. I've often thought about changing to the later C5 thin spoked wheel as I think they'd be easier to clean inside. What say you that have these?

Leon

 

[Remo]

I've actually taken them off a few times and it's the only way you can get them 100% "sano to the bone" clean. It's true that the polished wheels are easier to clean because there's more space between the thinner spokes - but nothing's better than the wheel removal.

Leon - mines going out to Lingenfelter in March to get a HP injection and I'm having it lowered while it's there. I'm not sure what issues that will present (if any) when it comes to jacking the car up for those periodic wheel removals.

Remo:cool

 

[Gorgon]

Leon - mines going out to Lingenfelter in March to get a HP injection and I'm having it lowered while it's there. I'm not sure what issues that will present (if any) when it comes to jacking the car up for those periodic wheel removals.

Remo:cool

Mine has been lowered and I have no problems jacking the car. The only time I did have a problem was when our company parking lot was vandalized and I had two tires slashed on the same side of the car. Didn't think to bring a couple peices of 2x4 to drive the car up on so I could jack the car.

Leon

 

[mqqn]

Hi folks -

First - You do NOT want to polish with mag/aluminum polish, any wheels that have a clear coat - those should just be waxed.

I use the mothers powerball on my CCW rims, but those are not clear, they are billet aluminum.

The other thing I would caution about would be using Meguires Hot Wheels.
It works awesome to remove dust, and I like it. It will, however, discolor zinc coated rotors, and it can cause some discoloration of the tires (turns them "yellowish" ). Just get it off of the rims in 60 seconds, try not to spray the rotors (if zinc coated) and get it off the tires asap if it gets on them.

I take mine off once or twice a year and in between I just put the car up on the lift and get in the barrels from behind.

best regards -

mqqn

 

[PreacherNutshot]

Hi there Road racefan,
I have an 03 with the factory clear coated rims. I'm assuming these are the same type you have also. I always use whatever wax (Meguir's NXT) I'm using on the body, on the wheels. I've never had any problems and they come up looking good. I don't recommend anything with a petroleum base, though. I also use the Meguirs Hot Rims wheel cleaner too, I swear by that stuff!!!!!

Chris

For an extra shine I Windex my wheels, both after I wax 'em, and after evertime I wash the car.

 

[mrm1149]

Yes. The early C5 "wagon wheels" have spokes that make it hard to get in and clean the inside of the rim and keep the calipers clean. Actually, I plan on removing the wheels this weekend for cleaning. It's amazing how much it affects the appearance of the entire car. I've often thought about changing to the later C5 thin spoked wheel as I think they'd be easier to clean inside. What say you that have these?

Leon

Geez Gorgon, what you NEED is the BBS LM wheels I have in the for sale section

MIKE

 

[Gorgon]

For an extra shine I Windex my wheels, both after I wax 'em, and after evertime I wash the car.

I'm not sure how comfortable I would be with ammonia on clear coat...

Leon

 

[Gorgon]

Geez Gorgon, what you NEED is the BBS LM wheels I have in the for sale section

MIKE

Mike, nice looking wheels, but I'm not sure they allow easier access to clean the inner rim.

Leon

 

[MM-C5]

Mike –

I really cannot say enough about this product…for your entire car!

…although some would argue I’ve said too much


http://www.bethel-marine.com/CorrosionX_REJEX.htm

http://www.corrosionx.com/rejex.html

http://www.rejexusa.com/

It is also sold at many Aviation Fix Base Operations (FBO) so here is the # for Corrosion Technologies 800-638-7361

They can tell you if it is available at Weir Cook, Eagle Creek or some other local FBO.

T

 

[MM-C5]

Mike, nice looking wheels, but I'm not sure they allow easier access to clean the inner rim.

Leon

Leon -

If you haven't already, go to Home Depot and purchase one of the brushes they sell to clean the coils under or behind your refrigerator. They are in the appliance area.

Tom

 

[vett boy]

I treat my wheels with the same product and care as the rest of the car.Removing the wheels and cleaning a couple times per year will add greatly to the finish life.You'd be surprised what you can find on those wide rims after five thousand miles.Please remember to mark the studs with the stud hole.Torque is 70 lbs first round then 100 lbs second and finial round.

 

[Gorgon]

Leon -

If you haven't already, go to Home Depot and purchase one of the brushes they sell to clean the coils under or behind your refrigerator. They are in the appliance area.

Tom

Tom, already have one and have had one for quite some time. This is only a stop gap measure between pulling the wheels off, but works quite well.

Leon