Wheel barrels that aren’t worth cleaning?

**Eldorado2k** · 12-17-2018, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by MikeC78

Yes, OEM. Anyone who details these trucks (at least the last gen) knows the horror of cleaning GM wheels.

The whole thing is a horror. It’s too damn big.

**Eldorado2k** · 12-17-2018, 11:07 AM

@MikeC78. If you could do it over, is there a vehicle you wish you would’ve bought instead?

**mk9750** · 12-17-2018, 11:13 AM

On the wheels on my car, I try to clean the barrels as well as I can, but knew it wasn't perfect, and I was fine with it. I certainly wasn't going to do a wheels off just to clean the barrels, especially when the only dirty part couldn't be seen by anyone but the guy rotating my tires.

But I just bought a set of snow tires on rims, and before I put them on the car, I cleaned the barrels as well as possible and coated them. Here's a picture of the before and after:

When I make the switch this week, I'm going to try to clean up the OEM wheels as well as I can, too. I couldn't see the point in taking them off for the sake of taking them off, but now that they'll be off (and I'll have a few months to work on them), I'm going to make the effort.

I imagine where you're out, there's no reason for snow tires, so no reason to go through what I am. Were I you, I'd leave 'em.

**MikeC78** · 12-17-2018, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by Eldorado2k

@MikeC78. If you could do it over, is there a vehicle you wish you would’ve bought instead?

For the size/room during the time frame I bought mine, No. Today, there are many more offerings and Ford has done a good job with the newer expedition/navigator. To answer your question, I'm unsure? I'm just overall not happy with GM and their direction with the company as a whole.

**Eldorado2k** · 12-17-2018, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by MikeC78

For the size/room during the time frame I bought mine, No. Today, there are many more offerings and Ford has done a good job with the newer expedition/navigator. To answer your question, I'm unsure? I'm just overall not happy with GM and their direction with the company as a whole.

Oh I definitely agree with you on the questionable direction they’re moving towards.. That CEO they put in is getting on my nerves. I wonder if they thought she’d only last a year or 2 before she crumbled under pressure and quit. 6yrs. later she’s still there and is intent on making all of GM’s vehicles 100% electric. I’m no expert, but it seems like the worst idea ever.

Where the hell is anyone charging up a vehicle on the road these days? Nowhere. These tree huggers are out of control. And what kind of used Cadillac am I supposed to be driving 8yrs. from now? There’s no way in hell I’m going to be looking forward to getting 1 of these crappy CUV’s/SUV’s that have no business being a Cadillac in the 1st place. I hate their new lineup.

**ejaf** · 12-17-2018, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by mk9750

But I just bought a set of snow tires on rims, and before I put them on the car, I cleaned the barrels as well as possible and coated them.

Curious...when you say "coat", do you mean just normal coat, similar to what you do on the paint? Or is there something more durable, that, even if they do get caked, the "coat" will protect from pits and more extensive damage?

Eric

**mk9750** · 12-17-2018, 01:09 PM

Eric,

I used McKee's 37 Paint Coating. Hope that by using it and trying to maintain / keep clean during normal washes, I can keep the barrels from looking like they did when I bought them.

**JustJesus** · 12-17-2018, 01:40 PM

Kind of on the same boat as to whether or not to remove my wheels to clean them out. I bought them used for my off-road Jeep. I fully intend to clean and polish the AL face, but undecided on the barrels. In the end, with my bad back, I'll likely remove them from the jeep to polish them up more comfortably, so might as well clean the barrels.

**Eldorado2k** · 12-17-2018, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by JustJesus

Kind of on the same boat as to whether or not to remove my wheels to clean them out. I bought them used for my off-road Jeep. I fully intend to clean and polish the AL face, but undecided on the barrels. In the end, with my bad back, I'll likely remove them from the jeep to polish them up more comfortably, so might as well clean the barrels.

I take it the barrels are the unfinished kind?

**Eldorado2k** · 12-17-2018, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by mk9750

On the wheels on my car, I try to clean the barrels as well as I can, but knew it wasn't perfect, and I was fine with it. I certainly wasn't going to do a wheels off just to clean the barrels, especially when the only dirty part couldn't be seen by anyone but the guy rotating my tires.

But I just bought a set of snow tires on rims, and before I put them on the car, I cleaned the barrels as well as possible and coated them. Here's a picture of the before and after:

When I make the switch this week, I'm going to try to clean up the OEM wheels as well as I can, too. I couldn't see the point in taking them off for the sake of taking them off, but now that they'll be off (and I'll have a few months to work on them), I'm going to make the effort.

I imagine where you're out, there's no reason for snow tires, so no reason to go through what I am. Were I you, I'd leave 'em.

Are those barrels unfinished or are they painted and smooth?