Green Wheels, Oh no!

[2stockbird]

Any input on this one would be great, guys. I bought a set of 96 OEM 5 spokes, and they look really good (way better than the salad shooters). Only problem is that 2 of them have a real strong green film on them, and I can't clean it off. It almost looks like some kind of epoxy that somebody put on them. There is a small section that is scraping off, so I know it will come off, but I don't know what to do. Laquer thinner, simple green, sos pad...... all useless. Help (spring break in 2 weeks)

[97chevycamaro]

Take them somewhere to be cleaned by someone good.

[2stockbird]

How do you find a place like that who won't just strip them down and re-chrome them, and send me to the cleaners in the process? Yellow Pages?

[97chevycamaro]

Well it shouldnt cost more than $50 to have them cleaned. Id call some places and ask them, like a place that restores cars or maybe a body-shop, and ask them if the could clean up some rims that are stained or ask them where they get theres cleaned.
Do you have any clue what it is? If I knew I could probaly help some more? Are they chrome?

[ March 05, 2002: Message edited by: 97chevycamaro ]</p>

[2stockbird]

Thanks, 97 chevy.

I wish I could tell you what it is, but I have no idea. It does not appear to be a buildup of any kind, it almost looks like some moron treated them with some laquer coating or something. If it was up to me, I would prefer to just put some elbow grease into it, instead of taking them somewhere and having to get the skins taken off and put back on.

Or do I just paint them (silver or a dark graphite?)

[97chevycamaro]

Just get into them with

Spray them down, them scrub them with car wash soap, them soak them with wheel cleaner{Try BlecheWhit Brake Dust Buster for this type of job} then scrub them again and redo a few times, If this doesnt work then id go get them cleaned.

Dont try to paint them yourself, Wont work how you plan.

[ March 05, 2002: Message edited by: 97chevycamaro ]</p>

[2stockbird]

Good point, 97.

I would be tempted to paint them myself just because the green looks so stupid, but your better judgement has rubbed off on me. Anybody know the meanest cleaning stuff out there? What about the Bleachwhite brake dust buster? I'm not sure if regular wheel cleaner will work. It will probably have to be some kind of stripping substance.

[97chevycamaro]

Blechewhite is pretty good at getting regular stains off, it couldnt hurt.
I heard this stuff is really good

http://www.jbchemical.com/pds/cl/202.html

[ March 05, 2002: Message edited by: 97chevycamaro ]</p>

[2001 Green machine]

almost sounds like a protective coating called cosmoline, they used to use it on import cars to protect some parts. Try to get it to a detail shop and see if they can ID it, not sure if they use the stuff anymore but there was a chemical that took it off with a little work. Good luck

[AZ3.8Camaro]

If they aren't chrome, be careful you'll take the clear coat off. They are base/clear coated. A good idea would be some light rubbing compound and if that works, clean it off and then put a coat of car wax on them. The rubbing compound will remove a lot of stuff from clear coat, and if you don't do it too much it will not eat through it. Just make sure you WAX IT! If they are chrome, fire away with whatever you can find.