how to shine chrome wheels

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how to shine chrome wheels

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how to shine chrome wheels - 8/17/2006 6:55:05 PM

Focker

Posts: 29
Joined: 3/25/2006
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hi i have a 2004 v6 mustang fully loaded and got chrome wheels with it

at first it was really shinny,

but now it's starting to get pretty dull...

is there any way to make it shine like it did when i bought it??

Post #: 1

RE: how to shine chrome wheels - 8/17/2006 7:10:19 PM

sprostang

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From: Illinois
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Chrome polish...........

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RE: how to shine chrome wheels - 8/17/2006 8:56:15 PM

StevenP450yfz

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I would have to guess that they are polished aluminum if they are getting really dull looking, chrome really does not get that dull. I would find out for sure what they are and get the right polish, sold at almost any store with an automotive section.

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Post #: 3

RE: how to shine chrome wheels - 8/18/2006 11:29:48 PM

OneFine89Mustang

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i used a buffer and some rubbing compound to get my rims shining like new again

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Post #: 4

RE: how to shine chrome wheels - 8/19/2006 12:19:17 AM

Focker

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Joined: 3/25/2006
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could anyone provide me with a link of the best product i can use?

thanks

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RE: how to shine chrome wheels - 8/19/2006 3:33:05 AM

Jim D.

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Depending on the quality of the chrome, you want to be careful how aggressive you go.

Not all polishes are meant for chrome (certainly not rubbing compounds) -- best to go with a chrome-specific polish to ensure longevity.

Always be careful of center caps which are sometimes chromed plastic and somewhat delicate.

There are two things you may consider adding to your wheel care regimen... a spray-on, hose-off product for brake dust and road grime from chrome surfaces, and then follow with a chrome polish. There are lots of brands out there, and I happen to like Mothers Chrome/Wire wheel cleaner, and their mild Chrome Polish -- it's mild enough for glass and will polish as well as protect.

Depending on the design of the wheel, and how often you like to polish, you might consider a PowerBall or PowerBall Mini which attaches to your cordless drill (you can use corded, but cordless is much handier).

Check out http://www.detailguide.com and/or http://www.waxforum.com if you'd like some additional info and input on those products.

Good luck!

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RE: how to shine chrome wheels - 8/20/2006 12:09:51 AM

Focker

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ok thanks a lot!

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Post #: 7

RE: how to shine chrome wheels - 8/20/2006 12:15:21 AM

StevenP450yfz

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Can you get any pictures I am still thinking that they are not chrome, maybe polished aluminum, I did not think ford made a v6 with chrome rims? I could be wrong but you don't want to put chrome polish on aluminum rims or visa versa it will not work.

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RE: how to shine chrome wheels - 8/20/2006 2:58:07 PM

tommy_t

Posts: 325
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for chrome i use Eagle One Nano-Polish....chrome safe

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Post #: 9

RE: how to shine chrome wheels - 8/20/2006 10:06:52 PM

S281 E

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You could use Griot's wheel cleaner. Good stuff.

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Post #: 10

RE: how to shine chrome wheels - 8/20/2006 11:19:19 PM

Jim D.

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Chrome can get dull. And there are indeed different qualities of chrome.

If they're dealer add-ons, or aftermarket, sometimes you never know what they throw on there if you didn't buy them yourself.

In a discrete area, if you use an aluminum polish (like Mothers Mag & Aluminum) on a clean wheel and it turns black after about 5 seconds of rubbing, then you've got polished aluminum.

If it doesn't turn black, then you've got clearcoated or chrome -- and those two should be easy to distinguish from one another.

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RE: how to shine chrome wheels - 8/20/2006 11:57:00 PM

Jim D.

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(duplicate deleted -- sorry)

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Post #: 12

RE: how to shine chrome wheels - 8/24/2006 2:13:40 PM

swillz2000

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Joined: 7/17/2006
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i have a set of chrome wheels and i use turtle wax's chrome that cleans away dirt and brake dust as you polish. i have used several others and if you have chrome wheels then i would use turtle. if you looking for a good spray on wax for wet and dry surface then go with meguiars or eagle one.

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Post #: 13

RE: how to shine chrome wheels - 8/25/2006 12:04:12 PM

sowaxeman

Posts: 3868
Joined: 3/31/2005
From: Indianapolis, IN
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Hey Focker (nice screen name BTW

) I agree with Steven on this - chrome can get dirty and stained but I've never seen chrome get "dull" Be certain you are talking chrome and not polished aluminum. If you indeed have chrome, then I swear by Turtle Wax Chrome Polish (in a little white bottle), and if you have aluminum then Mothers Aluminum Polish (in a little white jar) works wonders. Both are available at just about any auto parts store or in the auto section of your typical super-store.

Chrome Polish works with minimal effort, Aluminum Polish will require a little more elbow grease (and perhaps a 2nd or 3rd coat) And like mentioned above, chrome polish will reveal dirt mostly on the rag while aluminum polish will reveal a lot of black residue. Thats the cutting action of the alum. polish doing its thing

Good luck

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Post #: 14

RE: how to shine chrome wheels - 8/27/2006 5:01:46 PM

Focker

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oh, thanks a lot guys...
i think mine is polished aluminum..:D

ill try to take a picture and post it up

thanks

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Post #: 15

RE: how to shine chrome wheels - 8/28/2006 9:10:53 AM

Focker

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**delete

< Message edited by Focker -- 8/28/2006 9:13:04 AM >

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Post #: 16

RE: how to shine chrome wheels - 8/28/2006 9:13:06 AM

Focker

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does anyone know about 2004 V6 mustang fully loaded rims??

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Post #: 17

RE: how to shine chrome wheels - 8/30/2006 10:19:23 AM

sowaxeman

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From: Indianapolis, IN
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Look VERY closely at your rims - if you see any hints of very fine swirls or sanding/buffing marks, then that is polished aluminum.

Clean a section with some window cleaner (no ammonia of course) or quick detailer. When you wipe the clean section with a cloth is it mirror smooth like it was just waxed (then probably chrome), or does it have that non-waxed "dragging" feel to it (probably polished aluminum)?? Thats about the only way I can think of off hand to help determine.

Post pics if you can.

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Post #: 18

RE: how to shine chrome wheels - 9/1/2006 4:56:23 PM

Focker

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Joined: 3/25/2006
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here are some pics..

im not sure if you can tell just by looking at these pics..

RIM 1

RIM 2

kinda dirty cuz it's been raining a lot here and couldn't really clean it...

thanks

< Message edited by Focker -- 9/1/2006 5:07:44 PM >

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Post #: 19

RE: how to shine chrome wheels - 9/1/2006 6:30:28 PM

StevenP450yfz

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Joined: 7/17/2005
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Yea, them are polished aluminum rims, not chrome. Get some aluminum polish and they will look like new.

< Message edited by StevenP450yfz -- 9/1/2006 6:31:32 PM >

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Post #: 20