Wheel cleaning help?
 

Ok, so heres the deal. I've had my wheels (19"x8" Axis Mods) on my car for about 2 years now. In those two years they've been through everything. I daily drive on them....even in the winter....but have always made it a point to keep salt off of them and whatnot during the harsher months. Well, they're a far cry from perfect as they have plenty of scratches, chips, gouges, etc etc......which is to be expected considering my car has nearly 60k on it and the wheels were put on the car the first year I owned it. I'm planning on either getting new wheels or re-painting these when money permits.......but for now, i'm just trying to figure out a way to spruce these up. The painted face just seems rather dull in direct sunlight and the lips are cloudy and just overall not nearly as reflective as they used to be. I washed them regulary and spray waxed them from time to time as well.

Today I plan on washing them thoroughly along with using Turbowax wheel cleaner, drying them with a microfiber drying towel, spray waxing them via Turbowax spray wax and using Eagle One wadding mag polish on the lips in an attempt to restore their shine. My question is, is there anything else or a different method anyone would recommend? Any and all input is appreciated. Thanks.

just my guess but try soem compound on the painted spokes. the meguiars ultimate compound works really good and also i would try the mother polish. its like a paste and does really well.

I have some Turtle Wax in my trunk. Maybe i'll just hand buff them today.

you wont be able to break the compound down by hand. its hard to say 100% for sure, but you MIGHT take some 2000grit sand paper and wet sand the painted surfaces. then wax em up.

Any easier suggestions? lol

I think i'm gonna just try to give them a big scrubdown and wax them/metal polish the lips and see how that turns out. I mean the wheels are by no means showroom condition anymore......they're daily driven on and have their share of flaws......but I just wanna get them looking good to hold me over until I get have them re-painted or get new wheels.

there is a scratch remover kit at walmart called Quixx or something and it does take oout alot of scratchs and stuff. its like9.99 but does work. ive used it on some scuffs on my bumper.

think about it, the flaws are surface flaws. if you can take off the surface flaws while still having paint underneath, you are fine.

hell thinking outside the box:

take the wheels off, mask everything besides the spokes, scuff em up (800 or 1000 grit) and paint those bitches yourself. you can make wheels look great if you take your time

I'm not too concerned about the scratches. I just more or less want the black to be very glossy again and the lip to be reflective again.

oh just try some polish and wax.

Be nice if you can post before and after shoots to see the difference if any:twothumbs

Well, for now, since I didn't have access to a hose, I just used Armor All quick detail w/ built in wax, Turbowax spray waxed them and used Eagle One Never Dull on the lips. Overall it helped a little bit, but all in all.....I just need some new wheels, lol. These wheels have at least 45k of daily driving on them and just aren't a purty as they once were :bye:

did you see my paint post. try it