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05on20s
03-17-2011, 08:14 PM
Hey everyone. So I could really use some assistance on this one. I am finally about to put my chrome rims back on after about 2 years and lets just say they were pretty nasty looking. They had these green spots all over them which I am guessing it was from the winter. I meant to go over to my aunt's house where they were stored but never had time and had to clean them. I have no before pics but today I tried to clean the mess out of them with eagle 1 chrome cleaner, soap and water, and the put some chrome polish on them and this is what I am left with:
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p293/96vteccd5/img1300410702987.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p293/96vteccd5/img1300410704139.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p293/96vteccd5/img1300410703416.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p293/96vteccd5/img1300410702282.jpg

Is there anything I could do to restore these rims back? Now these are GM aftermarket 20s which I am guessing isn't the best chrome in the world but would like to get them back to OEM if possible.
sparkie
03-17-2011, 08:28 PM
Looks like rust to me...I would try DG #831 and if that didn't get it, step up to Poorboy’s Spray and Rinse Wheel Cleaner.
05on20s
03-17-2011, 08:34 PM
DG#831? Can I pick that up from a store or will I have to order it.
Ted S.
03-17-2011, 08:35 PM
If that is rust there is only best option: get them rechromed! Chome is only a thin layer over nickel. So if the chrome is oxidized, or even the nickel, then you can only try and cover it up, but much of the surface is already bonded to oxygen and perhaps other elements. So if you where to cover the rust up, someone looking at them from, say, five feet of so can tell. If you remove the rust, you also remove the chrome and nickel to boot. So, I can only recomend getting them rechromed.
jpegs13
03-17-2011, 08:38 PM
This stuff is great:
Flitz Stainless Steel & Chrome Polish (http://www.autogeek.net/flitz-stainless-steel-chrome-polish.html)
05on20s
03-17-2011, 08:39 PM
If that is rust there is only best option: get them rechromed! Chome is only a thin layer over nickel. So if the chrome is oxidized, or even the nickel, then you can only try and cover it up, but much of the surface is already bonded to oxygen and perhaps other elements. So if you where to cover the rust up, someone looking at them from, say, five feet of so can tell. If you remove the rust, you also remove the chrome and nickel to boot. So, I can only recomend getting them rechromed.


Oh Man. I wonder how much that would cost. Guess I will have to do some shopping around.
jpegs13
03-17-2011, 08:42 PM
My wife's Jaguar rims looked like that, the Flitz cleaned 'em right up
05on20s
03-17-2011, 08:43 PM
My wife's Jaguar rims looked like that, the Flitz cleaned 'em right up

Ok cool. I guess I will have to put in an order then. I am trying to not to have to rechrome these rims. If that is the case I rather upgrade and get some 22's instead.
sparkie
03-17-2011, 08:45 PM
DG#831? Can I pick that up from a store or will I have to order it.

Some NAPA and Car Quest has it.


If that is rust there is only best option: get them rechromed! Chome is only a thin layer over nickel. So if the chrome is oxidized, or even the nickel, then you can only try and cover it up, but much of the surface is already bonded to oxygen and perhaps other elements. So if you where to cover the rust up, someone looking at them from, say, five feet of so can tell. If you remove the rust, you also remove the chrome and nickel to boot. So, I can only recomend getting them rechromed.

Ted you are right..
I used Poorboy’s Spray and Rinse Wheel Cleaner on some chrome wheels that look about like them and it eat the rust right off of them. It will make them look good for a short time. So if that is rust it will come back.....
05on20s
03-17-2011, 08:45 PM
What about this stuff:
Gords Aluminum Wheel Polish Chrome, Cleaner, Polish & Sealer (http://gordsaluminumpolish.com/index.html)
jpegs13
03-17-2011, 08:47 PM
What about this stuff:
Gords Aluminum Wheel Polish Chrome, Cleaner, Polish & Sealer (http://gordsaluminumpolish.com/index.html)


Flitz is 1/3 the price, try it first
sparkie
03-17-2011, 08:51 PM
What ever you use, give us feed back....Pics would be cool too....
jpegs13
03-17-2011, 08:52 PM
What ever you use, give us feed back....Pics would be cool too....

:iagree: :xyxthumbs:
05on20s
03-17-2011, 08:54 PM
No problem guys. I guess I will wait to put the rims on till they are cleaned up.
Ted S.
03-17-2011, 08:54 PM
Oh Man. I wonder how much that would cost. Guess I will have to do some shopping around.

Maybe some of the guys on here are smarter than me and can find affordable alternatives. Getting rims rechromed is not cheap because all the old coatings have to be removed and prepped first. You want to explore all options and ask for some quotes on rechroming. If you are anal like me, you would probably look at the cost of new rims vs. rechroming. And remember, odds are, places that rechrome will probably not remove the tires and you have to pay shipping or drop the rims off. Just some stuff to keep in mind!:xyxthumbs: