Cleaning/Polishing 19 Aluminum Wheels.

[william]

My car has the optional 19" polished aluminum wheels. What can you use to clean and polish them? Any aluminium polish?

[SteveB_TX]

Get a wheel cleaner safe for clear coated wheels.  You don't want to use a polish, as that would remove the clear coat.  :)

[JoeBrown]

I take my car to a hand car wash here. Since I get no brake dust (unlike my LS) that usually takes care of it.

[drolds1]

Use a wheel protectant such as Wheel Wax or DP Wheel Glaze regularly and you'll be able to clean your wheels with the same car wash soap that you use on the rest of the car. Of course, never use the same wash mitt, etc. or the same wash water that you use on the body.

 

SteveB is spot on.  Aluminum polish is abrasive and will take off the protective clear coat applied at the factory. It's in your owner's guide:

 

 

Note: Do not use chrome cleaner, metal
cleaner or polish on wheels and wheel
covers.

[robertlane]

Here's a video

 

[robertlane]

Here's some more tips from a detailing forum:

 

http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-Pro/exhaust-tip-detailing/

[AZ MKZ h]

I only use "by hand" car wash business and one near me fortunately does a great job.  Between washes I use a car duster (don't go cheap on this and it's worth the money) so actual washes are farther apart.  I use a separate duster on the wheels; one that typically is the used dirty one from the body use.  

 

As for a wheel cleaner, any product by Meguire's or Mothers is the best (IMO).  Recently I tried FW1 spray wax and I'm impressed.  Really has kept 'krud' from the wheels.  

 

Clean on.

[SteveB_TX]

I love Meguiar's products.  I have a garage shelf dedicated to just Meguiar's.  :)

Edited October 31, 2014 by SteveB_TX

[bbf2530]

  Hi william.  As others have mentioned, your wheels are protected with a clear coat paint, just like your cars paint finish.  Therefore, you clean and protect them the same way you would your cars paint.  Wash thouroughly with a good quality car soap and then wax with a good quality car wax or dedicated wheel wax.  And although there are many good quality auto detailing products, as some have mentioned above, I also prefer Meguiar's.

 

  Good luck.

[william]

I use only Meguiar's products as well, from inspecting the wheels I didn't detect any clear coating on the wheels. They look like highly polished aluminum. These are the 18 spoke without the painted pockets. I'm not wild about the Pirelli tires.

Edited November 1, 2014 by william

[drolds1]

I use only Meguiar's products as well, from inspecting the wheels I didn't detect any clear coating on the wheels. They look like highly polished aluminum. These are the 18 spoke without the painted pockets. I'm not wild about the Pirelli tires.

 

All FoMoCo alloy wheels are clearcoated.  Yes, your wheels are polished aluminum. By definition, you can't see the clearcoat.  You can't "see" the clearcoat on you car's paint either aside from it giving the paint its gloss.

 

What are you expecting to see on your wheels WRT clearcoat?

[JayD]

After using more than 25 different Wheel Cleaners, I have settled on Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner and it will not harm the clear coat.   I use a Daytona Speed Master wheel brush and a smaller version to get the spoke rears.    You can apply a light coat of wax to inhibit a little brake dust from accumulating, but I find the practice to be a waste of product (wax), if you use the right wheel cleaner.

Edited November 21, 2014 by JayD