Cleaning abused chrome

[SLAMnoma95]

im not gonna lie...i didnt like my old rims, so i abused them quite bad...the chrome looks like it is ozidized (or rusting...dunno) it is FULL of stuck on grime and dirt and looks beat to hell...not necessarily scratched, just severely maltreated

what...if anything...can i do to get rid of the seemingly imbedded dirt, oxidization and just basically caked on brake dust, salt, and road grime?


even the plastic/chrome centercaps are turning green around the edges...i didnt know chrome grew mold

[2dxtreme]

use brillo pad lightly on the rims using a little water on the brillo pad do small sections at a time then dry them and use a good chrome polish

[SLAMnoma95]

that wont scratch the chrome at all?...seems like the brillo would kinda scratch the surface

[Wrkn prgs]

WD40?

[Dallas@2020Kustoms]

Quote: Originally Posted by SLAMnoma95

that wont scratch the chrome at all?...seems like the brillo would kinda scratch the surface

Step away from the brillo pad !!

You should probably start by giving the rims a good deep down clean. This is one of those cases where you might want to use Dawn dish soap to clean the wheels. It will strip out all protectant and sealant so keep it away from your paint. I'd recommend using a wool pad first to help lift off the heavy dirt without further scratching the surface. Once clean you might want to try a clay bar but chances are it won't help too much. Next you want to get yourself a non-abrasive polish. Something like Flitz or a chrome specific polish would probably work well. Polish them wheels till they shine then apply a coat of wax to seal them from further abuse and you should be good to go.

[SteveI]

Try some Brasso

[94gmcnoma]

000 or 0000 steel wool, it won't scratch it, but it will remove anything on the surface.

[2dxtreme]

i have always used brillo on abused rims or dulling or pitting rims never scratched it. like i said if u use it lightly u'll be ok

[Waynestowels]

Einszett Chrome Polish, it is imported from Germany. It is Really catching on with the biker crowd and they are now my biggest buyer for the polish

[guestuser]

chrome or billet which do you prefer

[SLAMnoma95]

k...well, ima try what 02-X said first, cuz that seems the most logical, if i still have deep oxidation ill try the SUPER fine steel wool on the back of the rim first and see what it does

reason im asking is i plan on selling these rims and as of right now i would be ashamed to even list them

[_Sly_]

clay bar bobby.. i used it to get off my overspray on mine and it cleaned um up really nice, you could see the dirty and stuff it took off

[Xtreme24]

wet sand them with 1000 grit or higher