Are you like me, a college student without a job, and of course, without money? Sometimes you just have to buy USED rims, and as some of you know, they don't always come in the best of conditions.

***This write up is meant for chrome plated rims only, I cannot accept liability for this method used on painted, non-chrome, or other metallic surfaces. Also, Results vary and I cannot garauntee that this method will work for every rim. Use at your own risk.***

Ok, perhaps your rims look like these:
Cloudy?
http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/1120/dirrtywhole4qd.jpg
Dirty?
http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/2615/dirtyrust4nr.jpg
Rusty?
http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/1388/dirtyvalve7hk.jpg

Well there is a cheap and easy way to clean them!

1. Grab some of this wonderful stuff
http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/4872/cleanfoil8qf.jpg

2. Get soap (dish soap works well), and water, and pour into a bucket. You wont need anymore than a half of a gallon or so of water.

3. Fold over the foil into a small square, and dunk it into the soapy water.
http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/8076/cleansoap3ht.jpg

4. Start scrubbing...
http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/7783/cleanscrub0kc.jpg

5. Rinse off the rims with a water hose once you have cleaned the entire rim. You will be left with not only a cloud-free, dirt-free, and rust-reduced rim, you will also be left with a really good shine.

No cloud:
http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/9199/cleanrust3ju.jpg

No dirt:
http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/6974/cleanrim1tj.jpg

No rust:
http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/5303/cleanvalve4mp.jpg

6. You may have to repeat steps 4 and 5 for best results, changing out aluminum foil as you go. Also, don't forget about the other 3 rims!

7. Put um on and roll with your newfound chrome...:thumbsup:

might wanna try steel wool as well, works just the same if not better and a lot easier to get into nooks and crannies other than a sqaure piece of foil.

steel wool works well indeed, I figured that everyone has aluminum foil somewhere in the house, but yes steel wool does work better because it is easier to work with.

thanks for the input!

What kind of steel wool? 00, 0, The Abrasiveness?

I've used steel wool before, but never heard about the foil way......sounds pretty cool.

I don't know what type of steel wool. My father doesn't let me near his tool box, that's how I learned that Foil works...

Thanks for the comments!

Be REAL careful when you use steel wool; too coarse and it can easliy scratch the chrome plating. Use number 000 or even 0000, and be sure you RINSE IT WELL! Steel wool rusts like crazy, and if there's any steel fibers left on your wheels, it'll leave some beautiful orange "decorations" on your shiny chrome. :rolleyes:
AND, be sure to wax the polished chrome afterwards, too! :)

Steel Wool is what my brother uses with tooth paste for all things. It does a great job though! Not sure what number he uses though. I would try the Reynolds wrap before I tried that anyways.

-Daniel

I don't know what type of steel wool. My father doesn't let me near his tool box, that's how I learned that Foil works...

Thanks for the comments!


think there's a reason for that? :E

yeah, my 21 yr old brother keeps taking them, and you know all brothers are alike!:blink:

Be REAL careful when you use steel wool; too coarse and it can easliy scratch the chrome plating. Use number 000 or even 0000, and be sure you RINSE IT WELL! Steel wool rusts like crazy, and if there's any steel fibers left on your wheels, it'll leave some beautiful orange "decorations" on your shiny chrome. :rolleyes:
AND, be sure to wax the polished chrome afterwards, too! :)

Thanks for the info. Don't want to scratch my wheels!

Wow...interesting information here....but I'm curious as to how it works. I can see Steel Wool working since it's available mildly abrasive...but a flat piece of aluminum foil???

I did a quick search with no tangible results. Anyone have any scientific background for using this? I'm curious "why" it works more so than "how well".

Does that method work for wheels with a Polished Aluminum finish?

Wow...interesting information here....but I'm curious as to how it works. I can see Steel Wool working since it's available mildly abrasive...but a flat piece of aluminum foil???

I did a quick search with no tangible results. Anyone have any scientific background for using this? I'm curious "why" it works more so than "how well".

Crumpled aluminum foil used on chrome-plated steel tends to both scrub the rust away by friction, and actually fill in the tiny pores where rust seeps through the chrome plating. These tiny pores (like the pores in your skin) are the source of chrome "pitting."

Does that method work for wheels with a Polished Aluminum finish?

I would hesitate to try it on any kind of aluminum wheels; you're rubbing aluminum against aluminum, and the foil could easily abrade the finished or polished wheel.

(For what it's worth, I'm a retired petrochemical laboratory Senior Technician)

Good luck, guys! :)

thanks ponyguy, if this gets entered in the tech section, perhaps the mods can add that little bit in there and quote him??? I didnt know how it worked, but i know that it did! lol

I always thought somethin like that would scratch the wheels, may have to try it out. Thanks
jon

it works for chrome and chrome plated, thats all i have tested it on, i think it would scuff up other rims, just be careful, test in on a scratch peice or spare rim if available

i got a question and i am to lazy to post it in a forum. i have eagel alloy wheels. i dont know wut style or wutever. question is wut kind of metal are those rims made of exactly? are they coated or anyhting?

my rims are crager, *chrome plated* rims. The reason i know they are plated and not actual chrome is because on the spare rim some of the chrome plating is chipping off.

eagles are polished aluminum

thanks 93 2wd, now if i ever get the time to do a full out tech article on an actual technically difficult thing i might get a contributor tag, but i dont think i contribute enough yet, there are still too many knowledgable people out there for me to compete with lol.

I like aluminum rims so rust isnt a problem

nice! thanks for posting this!

haha, n/p, its good practice for my next write up: Bagging an Ibeamer... should be good to go in uh.... july or august... yeah i got a long way to go, but hopefully that will be technical enough to get a contributer tag! i think that would rock

Another suggestion - I know most of you have heard of this stuff. Get Mothers Wheel Polish. It works best on alloy/aluminum rims, but is also good for chrome, clear coated, powder coated and plain painted wheels. Does not take alot of elbow grease to work either. I redid a set of aluminum CenterLine Scorpions that looked horrendous, now you can read the paper in them. Buy some or borrow some (good luck - lol) and see how it does.
Here are my rims . . .
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c260/rangergt/Our%20Cars/RGT.jpg

Is it safe to use a brillo pad to remove thick brake dust from polished wheels?

Freelander - if you are referring to polished aluminum or alloy rims - I would not, that will definately ruin the surface. Meguiars make a really good spray on cleaner that you can spray on and then use a stiff plastic bristle brush to scrub them. Rinse off with a hose and when dry use the Mothers wheel polish mentioned above. The rims in my pic had a tan residue on them from not being cleaned in several years and Mothers brought them back to what you see. I also used the Meguiars before the Mothers. Good Luck man. PS - you can used a brillo pad on the true "chrome" wheels without worry, It is almost the same as steel wool with soap in it, just go easy with it.

Cool, thanks for the info. I'm definitely gonna have to get me some Mother's Polish soon. :)

I tried this the other week with the foil and steel wool. Both worked great. Thanks for the info!

haha no problem glad i could help, although i think i put this in the wrong forum i just noticed a few days ago, perhaps i will link it in the right place for some people!

Added: http://www.rangerpowersports.com/tech/?p=144

Thanks. ;)