What's up with my rims??

[01TriBlack]

I bought a set of American Racing rims from a friend...chrome....very cool. They are a couple years old and he hadn't polish them, so I went and got Meguiar's rim cleaner polish stuff. They look like crap!! I can't get what looks like water marks off of them, even after polishing with a soft terry cloth towel... maybe I'm not buffing out enough? Oh man, these things are going to be high maintenance. :cry

 

[schmaltzr]

You might try polishing clay. I used it on a window of my '93 chevy truck that I couldn't get the spots off of and it worked great! It is also non abrasive and is recommended by detailers for the paint. I would definitely work my way up the abrasive ladder rather than down it...it's a lot safer that way. I was reading information about using softscrub for water spots on windows...sounds good too. Good luck - Ron

 

[01TriBlack]

Thanks much, Ron. I'll look into that polishing clay. When I hear the word "clay," though, I just about run for the hills. I'm going to poke around on the 'net for some... I haven't seen it in the car care section. Soft Scrub sounds intriguing, too, but I'd worry about the abrasiveness. One thing I learned about the rim polish: Do it small, small sections...don't let it dry - looks worse now than when I started.

Have a happy Easter!

Mary

 

[U.P. John]

Try a sponge dampened with nature's wonder...Vinegar! Let the sponge soak on the spot for a bit, wipe it off and immediately dry with a soft towel.

 

[schmaltzr]

Try this website http://www.griotsgarage.com. I got mine from them and it worked great. It works for cleaning you entire car and the window spots that won't leave. Make sure you also get the lubricant used with the clay.

Your spots could be a result from the previous owner spraying the wheel accidentally with wheel cleaner. It really matters if the wheels are clear coated or if they are bare metal. If the clearcoat is spotted, then the clay should work or you might use a polishing compound for paint. I'm no expert, but polishing compound is fairly safe for paint if used cautiously by hand. If it's metal then use jewlers rouge with a buffing wheel in your drill at low speed. Jewlers rouge comes in several compounds - diamond, garnet, etc. Ask your supplier which would be best. - Ron

 

[01TriBlack]

Thanks UPJohn and Ron, for your suggestions. I tried the vinegar, no go... and I had a Meguiar's clay bar (and lubricant/detailer)...no go. Grrrrrrrrrrr. :cry