OEM Polished wheels - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

nyrfan · 04-02-2014, 11:15 AM

Hey All,

Just picked up a takeoff set with around 600 miles on them. There is some light cleaning scratches/swirling, what is the best way to take care of this? Are the polish wheels clear coated? Do I just machine polish like I would painted wheels? Then going forward what is the best way to clean/take care of them?

13lstuner · 04-02-2014, 11:46 AM

From the research I've done the factory wheels are clear coated and if that is actually the case you can polish like paint. But in my expirence wheel coat is normally on the hard side, but as you know start from the least aggressive and work up. But before that obviously clean then throughly and clay bar them extremely well. Make sure you continually check your pad for any gunk or debris so you don't reintroduce scratches while polishing. Then use a good sealant and if possible I would leave the sealant on overnight sinse the wheels will be off your car and you are able to seal the barrel much easier. Then if you are so inclined you might even put a nice coat of carnauba on them. Then clean them regularly and you should never need a wheel cleaner with properly maintained and protected wheels. Just use car soap

13lstuner · 04-02-2014, 12:04 PM

I will add this. If there is ever a time to be completely anal/OCD it is when cleaning and claying the wheels(especially the barrel). I've seen many people personally get gunk in the pad while buffing and really marr the finish.

Also, if properly polished the wheels should be absolutely beautiful and shinny. Goodluck!

nyrfan · 04-02-2014, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 13lstuner

From the research I've done the factory wheels are clear coated and if that is actually the case you can polish like paint. But in my expirence wheel coat is normally on the hard side, but as you know start from the least aggressive and work up. But before that obviously clean then throughly and clay bar them extremely well. Make sure you continually check your pad for any gunk or debris so you don't reintroduce scratches while polishing. Then use a good sealant and if possible I would leave the sealant on overnight sinse the wheels will be off your car and you are able to seal the barrel much easier. Then if you are so inclined you might even put a nice coat of carnauba on them. Then clean them regularly and you should never need a wheel cleaner with properly maintained and protected wheels. Just use car soap

Quote:

Originally Posted by 13lstuner

I will add this. If there is ever a time to be completely anal/OCD it is when cleaning and claying the wheels(especially the barrel). I've seen many people personally get gunk in the pad while buffing and really marr the finish.

Also, if properly polished the wheels should be absolutely beautiful and shinny. Goodluck!

Thanks.

Going to work on it over the weekend, since I am in no rush I am going to put some time and effort into it.

STL20102SS · 04-02-2014, 12:24 PM

I'll be doing the same to a new set I bought over the winter.

CamaroDreams07 · 04-02-2014, 04:39 PM

Yep, just like paint. Afterwards apply a coating.

nyrfan · 04-02-2014, 04:56 PM

Thanks guys, feel free to help me make a decision here:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=350832

Sent from my AGM, 2SS/RS

Adam's Polishes · 04-03-2014, 09:50 AM

Yep, they are indeed clear coated, so treat them just like the rest of you paint.

Polish, seal, and be happy!

charlietuna · 04-03-2014, 10:27 AM

Don't forget about iron-x. Worth doing if your going all the way with this.

KBsSS · 04-03-2014, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlietuna

Don't forget about iron-x. Worth doing if your going all the way with this.

04-02-2014, 11:15 AM	#1
nyrfan Let's go Rangers! Drives: 13' AGM 2SS/RS L99 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 10,742 View My Garage	OEM Polished wheels Hey All, Just picked up a takeoff set with around 600 miles on them. There is some light cleaning scratches/swirling, what is the best way to take care of this? Are the polish wheels clear coated? Do I just machine polish like I would painted wheels? Then going forward what is the best way to clean/take care of them? __________________ Soprano 4/1/00-6/14/11, Gone but NEVER forgotten! FSP tuned: 377/389

04-02-2014, 11:46 AM	#2
13lstuner Drives: 2013 2LS BLK Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: North Alabama Posts: 1,444	From the research I've done the factory wheels are clear coated and if that is actually the case you can polish like paint. But in my expirence wheel coat is normally on the hard side, but as you know start from the least aggressive and work up. But before that obviously clean then throughly and clay bar them extremely well. Make sure you continually check your pad for any gunk or debris so you don't reintroduce scratches while polishing. Then use a good sealant and if possible I would leave the sealant on overnight sinse the wheels will be off your car and you are able to seal the barrel much easier. Then if you are so inclined you might even put a nice coat of carnauba on them. Then clean them regularly and you should never need a wheel cleaner with properly maintained and protected wheels. Just use car soap __________________

04-02-2014, 12:04 PM	#3
13lstuner Drives: 2013 2LS BLK Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: North Alabama Posts: 1,444	I will add this. If there is ever a time to be completely anal/OCD it is when cleaning and claying the wheels(especially the barrel). I've seen many people personally get gunk in the pad while buffing and really marr the finish. Also, if properly polished the wheels should be absolutely beautiful and shinny. Goodluck! __________________

04-02-2014, 12:24 PM	#5
STL20102SS Drives: SW 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: St. Charles, MO Posts: 494 View My Garage	I'll be doing the same to a new set I bought over the winter. __________________ 2010 Summit White 2SS/RS M6: Injen longtube cold air intake, Borla S-Type cat-back exhaust, Tint, White painted rear diffuser, Red powder-coated Brembo calipers, New Era Performance ported throttle body, BMR 1" lowering springs, Hotchkis Chassis Max Strut Tower Brace, Red hash stripes, Vossen Matte Graphite/Machined CV5's

04-02-2014, 04:39 PM	#6
CamaroDreams07 Drives: Slow V6 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: East Lansing, MI Posts: 9,361 View My Garage	Yep, just like paint. Afterwards apply a coating. __________________ [B]

04-02-2014, 04:56 PM	#7
nyrfan Let's go Rangers! Drives: 13' AGM 2SS/RS L99 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 10,742 View My Garage	Thanks guys, feel free to help me make a decision here: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=350832 Sent from my AGM, 2SS/RS __________________ Soprano 4/1/00-6/14/11, Gone but NEVER forgotten! FSP tuned: 377/389

04-03-2014, 09:50 AM	#8
Adam's Polishes Drives: The shiny ones. Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: In the detail shop! Posts: 5,979	Yep, they are indeed clear coated, so treat them just like the rest of you paint. Polish, seal, and be happy!

04-03-2014, 10:27 AM	#9
charlietuna Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,342 View My Garage	Don't forget about iron-x. Worth doing if your going all the way with this. __________________ Laus Deo