Polishing chrome rims

[LETZRIDE]

I have spotting on my C5 chrome vette rims that don’t look like rust, but maybe like some type of oxidization. I have tried washing the rims and scrubbing them with a cloth but can’t get them clean- does anyone know what I can do to remove these spots on my C5 Corvette rims so that they look like brand new again?

[ssms5411]

I use white vinegar on my chrome ZR1's and my truck rims, but i do have a little pitting on both, but the vinegar cleans them pretty well, might try that.

[LETZRIDE]

I tried using vinegar without much luck - was thinking of trying a claybar on them but thought this must be a pretty common issue people face and maybe had other ideas for?

[ssms5411]

Mothers makes a polish for chrome rims , i have some but haven't used it. Is it pitted or uneven or just discolored ?

[LETZRIDE]

I have some of the mothers stuff too but it didn't work to clean it up, at least not when applied with just a cloth. I don't believe it is pitted, but it doesn't feel smooth as glass either, you can definitely feel contaminant or something on the surface where the spots are. But it isn't putting because none of the chrome is bubbled up - which makes me believe I can fix it

[ssms5411]

Have you tried the mothers ball with some polish?

[LETZRIDE]

I am going to try the mothers ball and some polish next and will report back

[ssms5411]

I use to have the ball and mini ball but can't find them so I ordered the cone. Hopefully it works for you.

[sac2165]

Are you 100% sure they're chrome? There are several coatings they can use that make wheels look chrome.

For chrome, I use Mothers with a microfiber towel and it works well. For polished aluminum, or silver painted wheels mothers is pretty worthless. My OEM 2002 Z28/RS wheels are painted silver and really look bad considering they've never been dirty. This Spring I plan on breaking out the rubbing compound with some buffing wheels.

[LETZRIDE]

Are you 100% sure they're chrome? There are several coatings they can use that make wheels look chrome.

For chrome, I use Mothers with a microfiber towel and it works well. For polished aluminum, or silver painted wheels mothers is pretty worthless. My OEM 2002 Z28/RS wheels are painted silver and really look bad considering they've never been dirty. This Spring I plan on breaking out the rubbing compound with some buffing wheels.

They are OEM C5 Vette wheels - to the best of my knowledge they are chrome but I could be wrong?

[sac2165]

They are OEM C5 Vette wheels - to the best of my knowledge they are chrome but I could be wrong?

I'm not 100% sure, but I thought factory Corvette wheels were polished aluminum with a clear coat. Something about the the chroming process could impact the structural integrity of the wheels under performance conditions.

I would try to polish them with what you would use on your paint.

[LETZRIDE]

I'm not 100% sure, but I thought factory Corvette wheels were polished aluminum with a clear coat. Something about the the chroming process could impact the structural integrity of the wheels under performance conditions.

I would try to polish them with what you would use on your paint.

Fair point- I am assuming using the polish products I would use on my paint would not have any adverse affects on the chrome if it were in face true chrome?

[sac2165]

Fair point- I am assuming using the polish products I would use on my paint would not have any adverse affects on the chrome if it were in face true chrome?

Yeah, I would try a small spot, but I think the chrome would be much harder than paint, so it should be safe to use paint products on wheels. If we get a decent day, I'll put some rubbing compound on my truck wheels and see if it leaves any marks.

[LETZRIDE]

So I washed the car this weekend and decided to experiment on the rims with rubbing compound going off some of the info above.... looks like a bit of an improvement but that it will take a lot of elbow grease to get it done. I plan on taking each rim off one at a time and working on it next given these results... I was using a dampened cheese cloth to apply the rubbing compound, but I wonder if I can use the mothers powerball to cut down on the hardwork part needed on my end?

There appears to be scratches from the rubbing compound but my assumption is as I step back up through the polishing compound those will be buffed out...

[LETZRIDE]

The top photo is after the rubbing compound, the bottom is before...