I just bought a used car with chrome rims. They appear tarnished and have a dull bronze film on them. I assume break dust and grime. I tried some chrome polish but it didn't do much, it seems that I should clean them before I try and polish them. What is the best product to use? They are slightly pitted and I am guessing that is permanent, but would like them to look as nice as they can. Thanks in advance.
Chrome doesnt tarnish… so… that would tell me you have polished aluminum wheels… the only time chrome would pit is if its starting to rust… polish aluminum wheels will have pits from the casting… so my guess is you dont have chrome wheels, but polished aluminum, which are better in the sense that they wont ever rust and need rechroming, but require much more maintenance.
Chrome is a very hard metal, and contact with flying debri wont cause them to pit, but instead chip… and pit and a chip are very different. a pit will look like someone took a an ice pick and hit the wheels, with chrome wheels, you would have straight sided chips in it.. so a pits sides would look like ~ but a chip would look like -.
you should clean aluminum wheels with brillo pads. and then polish them with simichrome (any metal polish will work, simichrome is my favorite). If this is really bothering you and you dont mind spending the money, you can polish the wheels, then have them clearcoated at any body shop. It will require much less maintenance, and you wont be able to tell that they are clear coated.. but the cost is around $250-350.
I just learned about clearcoating aluminum with a project of mine. After polishing them, you need to get in there with a toothbrush, soap and water and clean all the polish up, or the clear coat will 'orange peal'.
So after that story, im definetly going to say that you have polished aluminum wheels because chrome doesnt tarnish.
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actually, a can of coke works wonders on chrome.
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go to the store and get special cleaning products for it
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A product called Naval Jelly works well on rusted chrome.
Use it carefully as it's very corrosive.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007TQW5G/103-9631211-6362202
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Mechanic – 27 Years
I agree with the Naval Jelly guy…I used it specifically for this purpose as well. I have old Cragar SS 5-spokes, and they were pitted as well after sitting for 11 years in the sun. A little naval jelly and some elbow grease did wonders.
Don't scratch the chrome though.
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Chrome doesnt tarnish… so… that would tell me you have polished aluminum wheels… the only time chrome would pit is if its starting to rust… polish aluminum wheels will have pits from the casting… so my guess is you dont have chrome wheels, but polished aluminum, which are better in the sense that they wont ever rust and need rechroming, but require much more maintenance.
Chrome is a very hard metal, and contact with flying debri wont cause them to pit, but instead chip… and pit and a chip are very different. a pit will look like someone took a an ice pick and hit the wheels, with chrome wheels, you would have straight sided chips in it.. so a pits sides would look like ~ but a chip would look like -.
you should clean aluminum wheels with brillo pads. and then polish them with simichrome (any metal polish will work, simichrome is my favorite). If this is really bothering you and you dont mind spending the money, you can polish the wheels, then have them clearcoated at any body shop. It will require much less maintenance, and you wont be able to tell that they are clear coated.. but the cost is around $250-350.
I just learned about clearcoating aluminum with a project of mine. After polishing them, you need to get in there with a toothbrush, soap and water and clean all the polish up, or the clear coat will 'orange peal'.
So after that story, im definetly going to say that you have polished aluminum wheels because chrome doesnt tarnish.
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There is an old metal cleaner that is still available called Noxon. I've been using it for years and it works wonders on chrome and an assortment of other shiny metals and plating.
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i own a repair shop and you can use a SOS pad on cleaning the rust off of them and the use a polishing compound on them to take out any small scratches and they,ll clean up and shine like new,but you have to keep them waxed real good or they,ll rust back up on it,that's the method i use,naval jelly also works well on removing the rust also ,and you can still use the steel wool or an SOS pad on it,there's many ways that will work ,just use which ever one works best for you,good luck with it hope this helps.
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been a certified mechanic for 36 yrs.
Try using some 0000 steel wool, I have used this on many types of surfaces with and without pits and it does a great job.
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