Wheel polishing tip that really worked.

[brobox]

I looked at the California M Ron Glass the other day at the truck shop. They really had a nice selection of polishing tools. However after using the Meguiar's 21, I don't know how anything can be easier or work as well. Washed my pickup again yesterday after 2 weeks of solid rain. Any wax would have been gone by now, the Meguiar's 21 is still beading like the day it was put on.

However after using the wheel polish, Calf Custom product are hard to beat.

[Frank Tamez]

This is what we use in the detail shop at the store for wheels and glass with water spots

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am7bXlpqdSw

[Mwoodofd]

Originally Posted by brobox

Mark, nice job, thanks for the before and after results. Did you find the process easier? I am not dreading the thought of tackling my wheels anymore since the water stains come off so easy now.

It is still work. Just not easy to get around the lugs, etc. I did remove the cover and lug trim covers - just wish I could take the wheels off. I did cut some carpet squares, and applying step 1 is fairly simple, and step 2 is the work.

I went back today and tried the purple step with the drill, and I still think rubbing by hand yields a better result. I still have some work to do on a few wheels that have stains that are difficult. They still look great.

Best to tackle this early in the cool morning, and do about 2 wheels per day if you are staying put a few days. I spent the most time on the wheel in the picture, and it looks the best. I'm headed out Friday, and will be in Ruidoso for 4 nights, so I plan to work on a few while there.

[navychop]

$29 and change on eBay. My 2015 front wheels are awful. Mother's spray cleaned the tires, but nothing else. Got the Maguire's 21 and did my car and toad, best they have looked since new. Used 6" DA polisher from eBay. So much easier than by hand. Great tips!

[navychop]

Wow! Used the extra 4" of my replacement AC filter material to apply green and let dry. Then another pad for purple with slight rub and paper towels to remove. I did not remember the front wheels with a mirror finish. I know now.

[hawgguy]

Originally Posted by navychop

Wow! Used the extra 4" of my replacement AC filter material to apply green and let dry. Then another pad for purple with slight rub and paper towels to remove. I did not remember the front wheels with a mirror finish. I know now.

Better living through chemistry. Sounds like the motto of my teenage years.


Also a good opportunity to check the oil level in the Stemco hubs while you have the hubcaps off.

[navychop]

Originally Posted by hawgguy

Better living through chemistry. Sounds like the motto of my teenage years.

Sounded like a flea market fake demo. I am shocked how easy it is. Now if you could only rub on and power wash off I would really be impressed. So I did the top part of the other wheel and took the spray gun on a hose. 90% of gunk removed and a light paper towel did the trick. One more test on the same spot, save a ton of towels getting black gunk off and faster. First front took 45 minutes with brand new look. Second front with green, purple, hose off and 5 paper towels- 95% better, but only took 10-15 minutes.

[brobox]

Rich, are you saying you were able to wash most of the black polish residue off with a garden hose and a high pressure nozzle?

[JohnRR]

I usually rinse any left over black residue with water, most people don't realize if you do a final polish with clean water it prevents water spots from rain.

[brobox]

Originally Posted by JohnRR

I usually rinse any left over black residue with water, most people don't realize if you do a final polish with clean water it prevents water spots from rain.

What also really gives a great final shine is wiping the wheels down with corn starch. Also protects from water spotting. Learned that from the same trucker that told me about the Green Step 1.

Nice to know about the water as well.

[336muffin]

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[JohnRR]

Originally Posted by brobox

What really gives a final shine is wiping the wheels down with corn starch. Also protects from water spotting. Learned that from the same trucker that told me about the Green Step 1.

I'll have to give that a try, you can never have too many ways to polish these things.

[navychop]

Originally Posted by brobox

Rich, are you saying you were able to wash most of the black polish residue off with a garden hose and a high pressure nozzle?

Just a cheapo pistol hose end. Dries quickly enough to just use for paper towels. Need to try pressure washer 😀 One third the effort, 95% results. Navy management principle, give the hardest job to the laziest guy to figure out the easiest way to do it. USN-retired.

[brobox]

Originally Posted by Mwoodofd

It is still work. Just not easy to get around the lugs, etc. I did remove the cover and lug trim covers - just wish I could take the wheels off. I did cut some carpet squares, and applying step 1 is fairly simple, and step 2 is the work.

I went back today and tried the purple step with the drill, and I still think rubbing by hand yields a better result. I still have some work to do on a few wheels that have stains that are difficult. They still look great.

Mark, While was at Palm Truck Center getting the ball joints done, I walked around in the store. They had some small soft cotton polishing balls that were for around the lug nuts. They looked like they will work great. Wouldn't you know it, when the MH was finished, I forgot to pick one up. I will pick one up at one of the truck chrome shops on the road this summer. The Mothers balls fall apart in the FL heat so I quit buying them.

I use a DART wheel detailing kit and it does a good job getting around the lug nuts. However, they don't make those anymore and I am having to recover my polishing pad with lambs wool.