How to treat CHROME?????

[timmyjimmy5150]

Okay --- I'm confused by all the "advice" I've been getting on how to protect my chrome wheels.....
Can someone help me out?
I have the GMC 22" chrome wheels offered in the GMC accessory catalog for my 07 denali....
Now --- Some people have told me to wax the wheels just as I would the paint.
Others have said NEVER wax chrome --- it needs to breath?
Others have said put a wheel protectant (like mothers, etc.) on them .....
Still others have said just to wipe them down weekly with soap and water and do nothing else to them.....

Any ideas? Is there something I'm missing?
tj

 

[johnebgoode]

Mother's makes a Chrome polish that will work fine. Chrome doesnt need to breathe. I dont know where people come up with this stuff....
PS.........Double "O" steel wool will take care of any light pitting and water spotting on Chrome only that may occur. It will also work on chrome plated plastic too. Make sure it is Double "O" steel wool. Do not use brillo.....!!!

 

[timmyjimmy5150]

Concerning the Double "O" ---- Is there different grades of this or grits?
Or is there just a "one type does all" applicator?
tj

 

[johnebgoode]

Concerning the Double "O" ---- Is there different grades of this or grits?
Or is there just a "one type does all" applicator?
tj

There are different grades of steel wool. Double "O" will not scratch and will clean up any chrome plated surface.

 

[Gambler]

According to Mythbusters :thumbsup: , cola works well as a chrome polish. Pour the cola on and rub with aluminum foil. Sound crazy :crazy: but they tried it and it worked...:yesnod: But if it were me...I might just stick with the chrome polish...

 

[fco_gonzo]

According to Mythbusters :thumbsup: , ...

I love that show :thumbsup:

 

[Nappers]

I wouldn't use steel wool, I would use a dedicated chrome polish and wax them. I use Meguiars Hot Rims Mag and Aluminum polish and it works like a charm for chrome, then use Meguiars #26 for wax.

Steel wool doesn't look like it will scratch, but some alcohol applied and a xenon light may prove otherwise.

I like mythbusters, but chemists for Meguiars, Mothers and the like do it for a living to make chrome shine.

Aaron

 

[Gambler]

I like mythbusters, but chemists for Meguiars, Mothers and the like do it for a living to make chrome shine.Aaron

Maybe once they read this they'll come out with "Meguiars Hot Rims Mag Carbon-ated"

 

[johnebgoode]

I wouldn't use steel wool

Aaron

You can use what ever your heart desires. There's plenty on the market. However, Double "O" steel wool will clean , de pit and shine any chrome surface faster than any polish can without scratching it. Been using it for 30+ years.
Then you can apply a protectant or sealant.
Dont let the words "Steel Wool" scare you.

 

[Bear]

Anyone other than me use Brasso??? I used that stuff on countless uniform inspections and it worked when we would "Chinese field day" the barracks and shine the kick plates on the doors. I have used it on my wheels but it takes a little elbow grease that I only do every few weeks.

 

[TN Tahoe]

Okay --- I'm confused by all the "advice" I've been getting on how to protect my chrome wheels.....
Can someone help me out?
I have the GMC 22" chrome wheels offered in the GMC accessory catalog for my 07 denali....
Now --- Some people have told me to wax the wheels just as I would the paint.
Others have said NEVER wax chrome --- it needs to breath?
Others have said put a wheel protectant (like mothers, etc.) on them .....
Still others have said just to wipe them down weekly with soap and water and do nothing else to them.....

Any ideas? Is there something I'm missing?
tj

Only thing I ever put on mine was soap and water during washing to remove brake dust and road grime.. I would go back with Windex to get water spots off (if needed). I had Chrome ZR1 wheels on my 1996 Corvette for 7 years, when I sold it they still looked like new. If you did get a spot that you couldn't clean with soap and water then I would use chrome polish. Here is a picture of my Car at National Corvette Homecoming show, at the time the picture was taken wheels were 6 years old.

 

[High4]

I washed and vacuumed my wife's Rover yesterday and upon returning from the carwash she was quite pleased and then asked how hard I had to scrub the wheels. Well, I hadn't scrubed them at all and the brake dust washed away with the regular high power soap and then rinse....they sparkled. She said "That's because I waxed them." So, that's a very recent real life outcome of the "waxing" theory.

 

[bparker]

No need to put anything on them. Just keep them CLEAN with soap and water and they will look good and last for years.

If you wanted to be anal you could get them squeaky clean and go have them clear coated at a paint shop. But beware that once you do this the finish you get will not be as shinny as they are in the "nude" but they will still look great and you wont have to worry about them anymore.

But again, soap and water, clean them when they are dirty and no worries.

 

[Five.Three]

What do you guys suggest for the tahoe LTZ polished 20''s..??

 

[bparker]

Polished wheels are a pita to maintain as I found out on my vettes.

I would highly suggest having them professionally polished and then having them clear coated to prevent them from getting dirty and dingy and having to be re-polished. Once you clear coat them you can just spray wash them or of course hand and soap them and they will shine like they did when you first had them clear coated.

One more thing to consider when clear coating is that its being done to a wheel which is always subjected to rock and pebble dings just like the front of the car. So, once you do this you might have to have them redone every few years which isn't bad considering all the time and energy you have saved by not having to polish them all the dang time.

What do you guys suggest for the tahoe LTZ polished 20''s..??

 

[73shark]

What do you guys suggest for the tahoe LTZ polished 20''s..??

They're actually polished aluminum that's been clear coated.

Treat them the same way you do the paint on the body.

 

[Rumplemenz]

totally agree.. soap and water.. just keep them clean as much as you can and you will be fine