How do you clean mirror wheels? (TSW Nurburgring)

[SlowFosho]

What's up guys. I've been a long time lurker but finally registered to ask a question. I have a set of TSW Nurburgring wheels (Gunmetal w/ Mirror cut face) that I want to clean and make bright again. I can't seem to find information on how to brighten up the wheels or what products are safe to use for mirror cut wheels. From what I've read, any small scratch that cuts through the lacquer (clearcoat?) can make water get under there and make the wheels look cloudy. My wheels aren't cloudy yet but they don't shine as much as they did a year ago. I just installed them on my new car and would like them to look new-ish as well. I've read about wheel sealants and polishes but if I am not sure if these are clearcoated or raw. TSW doesn't have any of this information on their website. They don't even have an email address to send questions to.

Is anyone familiar with detailing/re-brightening mirror cut wheels? I'd like to know what products I can use to safely clean and protect without affecting the shine of this type of wheel.

Here are some pictures of the wheels and what I'd like them to look like. Thanks in advance.

https://www1.picturepush.com/photo/a/15085486/1024/2016-Honda-HRV/aviary-image-1467596776704.jpeg (http://picturepush.com/public/15085486)
https://www1.picturepush.com/photo/a/15090184/1024/Misc./1.jpg (http://picturepush.com/public/15090184)

https://www1.picturepush.com/photo/a/15087523/1024/2016-Honda-HRV/111122222.jpg (http://picturepush.com/public/15087523)

[Setec Astronomy]

Welcome to the forum! You state that any cuts to the "lacquer" will damage the wheel and then you say that you're not sure if the mirror-cut surface is raw or clearcoated.

I would say 99% that those wheels were painted the spoke color, the surface was cut, and then they were clearcoated. What you want to do IMO is use a fine polish or a cleaner wax on the "mirror" surface to restore the clarity (after a thorough cleaning, of course). You should really do it on the whole wheel and if you use a polish, follow up with a wax or a sealant.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out!

[SlowFosho]

Welcome to the forum! You state that any cuts to the "lacquer" will damage the wheel and then you say that you're not sure if the mirror-cut surface is raw or clearcoated.

I would say 99% that those wheels were painted the spoke color, the surface was cut, and then they were clearcoated. What you want to do IMO is use a fine polish or a cleaner wax on the "mirror" surface to restore the clarity (after a thorough cleaning, of course). You should really do it on the whole wheel and if you use a polish, follow up with a wax or a sealant.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out!

Thanks for the welcome and reply. I should have been clearer. TSW doesn't mention if the mirror-cut part of the wheel was clearcoated or not. I couldn't find any information about mirror-cut wheels anywhere but instead found information about diamond-cut wheels. They look similar but not as reflective. That's where I read about water getting under the lacquer and causing cloudyness. I can't imagine TSW or any other decent brand wheel company not clearcoating their wheels so I agree that they're most likely clearcoated. I'll update this with some pics when I finally clean them. Thanks again.

[Bobby B.]

I would say those TSW wheels are clear coated. Clean the wheels first using a safe wheel cleaner. After cleaning the wheels, I would clay and polish the surface of the wheels. Once the wheels have been polished apply a wheel coating.

[SlowFosho]

After using a wheel cleaner and clay bar, I used Chemical Bros. Max Coat Wheel Guard. They look a lot shinier than before. Thanks for the tips guys.

https://www1.picturepush.com/photo/a/15114167/1024/2016-Honda-HRV/2.jpg (http://picturepush.com/public/15114167)
https://www1.picturepush.com/photo/a/15114169/1024/2016-Honda-HRV/4.jpg (http://picturepush.com/public/15114169)