Chrome Wheel Protectant

O

Outlaw

I have always thought that any post 1980 chrome or aluminum wheel is coated and/or sealed with some kind of a sprayed on finish that would result in the surface not being compatible with chrome cleaners and chrome/aluminum protectants. Those products are for chrome with no added layers of spray (bumpers and trim), but are not for use on wheels that have been coated with a poly or plastic coating. My wife just bought a 2017 Chevy Tahoe and I want to protect the bright shinny wheels from road salt, but I have no idea which products to use. Do I need one product for the actual chrome and a different for the chrome wheels?
 
I think just a good wax and keep very clean. Know a guy from upstate NY who is a contractor who pulls his wheels off almost every wash job and washes and waxs them. 2012 truck and wheels look brand new. Who has this kind of time?
 
Plain chrome can use steel wool, then yellow carnuba. Coated wheels use whatever paint polishes you normally use, than yellow carnuba. If you can test the steel wool in an inconspicuous spot, that will tell you immediately what you have. Also, under critical lighting, you should be able to see a bit of texture if the part is coated.
 
"Plain chrome can use steel wool"

This is about cleaning before protecting, but some old chrome wheels, bumpers, and trim can be cleaned up to look awesome with phosphoric acid and 0000 steel wool
 
For aluminum & even steel products, there is a product from cerakote, which is a big name powder coat manufacturer, you should look into. I researched it a few years ago, but never got any yet. It's a single part ceramic clear, so you just put your mask on, stir it, spray it & let air dry. Is super thin & tough enough that gun forums love it. Like any clear over polished aluminum, it won't be as shiny, but will stay consistent. Last I remember checking, one pro-touring member had some parts around 10 years old with it. pretty sure I remember you can spray it over another clear.
 
Lots of good advice. I cleaned, then a coat of yellow carnuba. I believe the new GM wheels are comparable to old "chrome" as far as the finish. Probably not near as good a product as the older chrome?
 
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