I recently got an 06 HHR LT with the steel 5 spoke rims. I have used two different wheel cleaners on these rims and both times, after cleaning, they formed a haze that required wiping on WD40 to remove (a suggestion from my brother). I was wondering if anybody else had issues or suggestions on how to avoid this. I've never see anything like this before. Any other car I've owned I would use a wheel cleaner, scrub, and that was that.

 

If the WD-40 is removing the haze, then it's your cleaners, not the wheels

Just curious... how old are your bottles of cleaner?

 

Both bottles of cleaner are band new. After having issues with the first wash, I thought that I had bought the wrong type of cleaner (Maguires Hot Rims all wheel cleaner). So I asked around and somebody suggested Blue Magic 778 Super Strength wheel cleaner, saying it was safe for all wheels. However, both times I had this heavy haze build up immediately after rims dried.

 

Steel 5 spoke? Can you post a picture?

 

They are the stock steel 5 spoke rims, yes. Unfortunately, I didn't think to take a picture at the time (I was more worried about trying to fix the problem then). I've looked online and I don't see any photos of anything similar.

 

Your referring to the black 5 spokes that are usually hidden by a hubcap correct?

Soap and water should clean those.

 

Oh, no. Sorry, they are the silver 5 spoke wheels. I've linked to an image below.

https://www.google.com/search?q=hhr+...eJcRQrvHVMM%3A

 

Can ya narrow that down a bit.....

But if they are clear coated alloys (since there are no silver steelies for the HHR), your cleaner might have damaged the clear coat.

 

X2
If they're clear coated alloys and you hazed (etched would be a better word) the finish, then the damage is done. A small chance that you could polish or compound it back.
I would check those cleaners. Sounds like maybe 1 or both has an acidic content in the ingredients.

 

Until they changed to alloy, I was going to add that the black 5 spoke steelies on 2 of my HHRs have had that sort of dull blue haze even after cleaning them, a shot of WD40 would make them shine closer to black.