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-   -   What can I use to clean and polish alloy wheels (https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/appearance-modifications-discussions-6/what-can-i-use-clean-polish-alloy-wheels-3685/)

FAST EDDY 08-04-2006 05:21 PM

What can I use to clean and polish alloy wheels
 
Does anyone know what is the best cleaner and polish I can use for my 17" high polish forged alloy wheels? I have the top of the line 2LT that I have to submit pictures for everyone to see in the near future. Please help. Thanks.

Retroburban 08-04-2006 05:36 PM

Are these the chrome, or aluminum?
Chrome, use chrome poilsh( Mother`s ), then wax.
Polished clear coated wheels, then use the same polish as the car then wax them.
Polished wheeld without clearcoat, use Aluminum ( Mother`s or Meguiar`s)polish, then wax.
It`s really not too difficult. Good luck.

SindyDix 08-04-2006 06:48 PM

I wonder how long the clear coat will last on the aluminum. I dred the day I have to polish 'em!

FAST EDDY 08-04-2006 07:10 PM

I do believe they are the clearcoat chrome.

DARK AGE 53 08-04-2006 07:21 PM


Originally Posted by FAST EDDY
I do believe they are the clearcoat chrome.

If there the factory 17" wheels there clear coated polished wheels, chrome wheels are chrome not clear coated....use pure Carnauba Wax.

DARK AGE 53 08-04-2006 07:28 PM


Originally Posted by SindyDix
I wonder how long the clear coat will last on the aluminum. I dred the day I have to polish 'em!


Taken care of, clear coated wheels will look good for many, many years.

nfboy 08-05-2006 12:00 PM


Originally Posted by SindyDix
I wonder how long the clear coat will last on the aluminum. I dred the day I have to polish 'em!

This may be one of the world's most stupid questions but are all the variations of aluminum wheels on the HHR clearcoated? I have the machine faced 16" and it seems really hard to tell by touch. They clean up easily but do seem to have a texture to the touch. Anyone know for sure if the machine faced ones are clearcoated? I have been assuming they are.

SoCalHHR 08-05-2006 01:17 PM

The machine faced 16" aluminum wheels are clear coated. They came stock on my rig and I still have them here in the shop.
Regular car wax is all you should use on them. I use Meguiar's Spray Detailer to clean 'em.

iowa1960 08-05-2006 05:01 PM

Are you telling me that that 17" polished rfactory
rims are clear coated?..........................I think not.

nfboy 08-05-2006 08:49 PM


Originally Posted by iowa1960
Are you telling me that that 17" polished rfactory
rims are clear coated?..........................I think not.

His response was to my question about the 16" Machine faced. Didn't say anything about 17" factory rims.

EasyRay 08-05-2006 09:51 PM


Originally Posted by iowa1960
Are you telling me that that 17" polished rfactory
rims are clear coated?..........................I think not.

According to my dealer, the 17" factory polished aluminum rims are clear coated. :2cents:

GDZHHR 08-05-2006 11:22 PM


Originally Posted by FAST EDDY
I do believe they are the clearcoat chrome.

I may be wrong but I think the only 06 that came with chrome wheels was the Spring Edition, those were 16's. My wife's has the 17" polished wheels.

Stovebolt 08-06-2006 12:47 AM

You can use MOTHERS Aluminum rim polish. Gooood Stuff! The Mothers Powerball is good too!

nfboy 08-06-2006 06:52 AM


Originally Posted by Stovebolt
You can use MOTHERS Aluminum rim polish. Gooood Stuff! The Mothers Powerball is good too!

Is that one meant for clear coated aluminum wheels? Some products are only meant for non clear coated and that was why I wanted to know whether my wheels were clear coated so I could choose the right product. Mike cleared that up for me.

DARK AGE 53 08-06-2006 08:43 AM

Do not use Mother's Mag & Aluminum Polish, this will ruin the clear coat finish.....go with Mothers Clear Coat Wheel Polish.

SCOOT 08-07-2006 07:49 AM


Originally Posted by EasyRay
According to my dealer, the 17" factory polished aluminum rims are clear coated. :2cents:

This is correct!
The OEM 17" aluminum wheels (polished) ARE clear coated. Any wheel cleaner that claims it's *safe* for clearcoat will do. After that, detailer or wax can be used as preventative maintenance.
The SE, on the other hand, is the only HHR that came with optional CHROME wheels (which are not clearcoated... chrome doesn't need clear)- and they are 16" wheels - as Yeshua has mentioned... he knows, he has one!
All other (OEM) wheels 'should' have a *painted* machine face (which is typically clear coated) EXCEPT for any of the hubcap varieties.
Hope that clears some of the confusion...
:thumb:

SoCalHHR 08-07-2006 04:12 PM

Whatever you do , don't use a powerball, or you will scuff up the clear coat badly!

As I said earlier, we use Meguiar's "Spray Detailer" all the time and it works great.

crowbar 08-07-2006 07:07 PM

i would NOT use mothers, that stuff has scratched everything ive ever put it on


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