Rough spots to get clean on factory chrome clad wheels

[gmdodt]

Hey all -

Just bought some used factory 20 inch wheels for my 2004 ram 1500. The chrome part as shined up decently, but the outer rim is giving some difficulty. Not sure this part was ever chromed. should be attached. I have tried aluminum foil and it does seem to get some of the blackness of at least but it takes forreeevvvveeerrr. I have a DA polisher, but its full size, so i cant really get it in there. Is there another product or method to try?

Also, i was going to clean behind the rims since the wheels are currently off. Tired spraying some chemicals guys diablo and other wheel cleaners..but that stuff wont budge. Its basically brake dust thats been on there a decade. Any thoughts on how to remove? I was just gonna leave it really..

https://ibb.co/CJSNW5h

https://ibb.co/FbCmcyx

[Nick Winn]

Re: Rough spots to get clean on factory chrome clad wheels

Hey all -

Just bought some used factory 20 inch wheels for my 2004 ram 1500. The chrome part as shined up decently, but the outer rim is giving some difficulty. Not sure this part was ever chromed. should be attached. I have tried aluminum foil and it does seem to get some of the blackness of at least but it takes forreeevvvveeerrr. I have a DA polisher, but its full size, so i cant really get it in there. Is there another product or method to try?

Also, i was going to clean behind the rims since the wheels are currently off. Tired spraying some chemicals guys diablo and other wheel cleaners..but that stuff wont budge. Its basically brake dust thats been on there a decade. Any thoughts on how to remove? I was just gonna leave it really..

https://ibb.co/CJSNW5h

https://ibb.co/FbCmcyx

It might be helpful to have a picture of what those wheels look like when new. It's tough to tell how that lip area you are referring to should be.

Regarding wheel cleaners, our Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner or D1801 Wheel & Paint Iron Decon can do wonders, but beyond chemical, you will need to remove into some sort of abrasive compound or cleaner for anything still stubborn. Pictures of this area you are trying to clean would help up further advise also.

[gmdodt]

Re: Rough spots to get clean on factory chrome clad wheels

It might be helpful to have a picture of what those wheels look like when new. It's tough to tell how that lip area you are referring to should be.

Regarding wheel cleaners, our Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner or D1801 Wheel & Paint Iron Decon can do wonders, but beyond chemical, you will need to remove into some sort of abrasive compound or cleaner for anything still stubborn. Pictures of this area you are trying to clean would help up further advise also.

I provided links with pictures of the current wheels in the post. Ill try to look around for picture of new stock wheels. My dad has the same set and i think his rim is in better shape so maybe i can snap a picture of them

[Nick Winn]

Re: Rough spots to get clean on factory chrome clad wheels

I provided links with pictures of the current wheels in the post. Ill try to look around for picture of new stock wheels. My dad has the same set and i think his rim is in better shape so maybe i can snap a picture of them

Yes I saw those, I was referring to the as your refer to it "behind the rims". A picture of that area.

[gmdodt]

Re: Rough spots to get clean on factory chrome clad wheels

Yes I saw those, I was referring to the as your refer to it "behind the rims". A picture of that area.

Ah, ok - i was just referring to the wheel well or whatever...the whole inside part of the wheel you don't really see except for where the front of the wheel design allows you to see through.. New tired got mounted and balanced and put on the truck this evening so a little too late now, but just wondering for the future.

[Old Bear]

Re: Rough spots to get clean on factory chrome clad wheels

It looks like the caps can come off.
It is possible that the prior owner scratched the steel rims.
You might be able to sand and then paint them with an aluminized paint.
It also looks like someone did the ultimate sin and put the wheel weights on the outside, rather than hiding on the inside of the wheel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7ds3O_ZdnM

[Nick Winn]

Re: Rough spots to get clean on factory chrome clad wheels

Ah, ok - i was just referring to the wheel well or whatever...the whole inside part of the wheel you don't really see except for where the front of the wheel design allows you to see through.. New tired got mounted and balanced and put on the truck this evening so a little too late now, but just wondering for the future.

The area on the wheels behind the face, we typically refer to that as the "barrel" of the wheel. A quality automotive specific wheel brush, designed for getting into the barrel, will certainly help. Check out the below image of some of the wheel brushes we often use:

It looks like the caps can come off.
It is possible that the prior owner scratched the steel rims.
You might be able to sand and then paint them with an aluminized paint.
It also looks like someone did the ultimate sin and put the wheel weights on the outside, rather than hiding on the inside of the wheel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7ds3O_ZdnM

Also, looks like Old Bear might be onto something here with above.