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Old Dec 7, 2005 | 12:10 AM
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Default Best Wheel Cleaner

I have some ugly smudges on my Z06 wheels. they are Polished aluminum and everytime i clean them no matter how hard i try and rub it out the smudges just stay there. i tried mothers aluminum polish but that wont take it off either. I am hoping the rims aren't stained. Any opinions on what i can use to get that crap off. or what will clean my rims back to perfection.
-Joel
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Old Dec 7, 2005 | 01:49 PM
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If aluminu polish doesn't take it off . . . I don't know what will . . . When you used the polish did your towel turn black?
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Old Dec 7, 2005 | 01:52 PM
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Welcome to the wonderful world of polished aluminum...

Personally, I use English Custom Polishes, and I apply it with a high speed drill and a cotton mushroom ball. If something is being stubborn, I take steel wool to it first (0000 or 00). Wet sanding is also an option, but you'd better have a power tool of some sort handy to polish it back to a high shine.
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Old Dec 7, 2005 | 06:47 PM
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May sound a little funny, but.. have you tried a clay bar?

If there is something physically on the rim, it might help.

My 99 SS had a couple smuges on the wheels that nothing but a claybar was able to get off.
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Old Dec 7, 2005 | 08:06 PM
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If aluminu polish doesn't take it off . . . I don't know what will . . . When you used the polish did your towel turn black?
is that a good thing the towel turns black or no..
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Old Dec 7, 2005 | 08:09 PM
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That's a good thing if the towel turns black, it means you are getting dirt off of the rims.

Where can you buy this so called "steel wool" at?
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Old Dec 8, 2005 | 07:38 AM
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the steel wool you should be able to get it any hardware store just make sure you get the 0000 or 00 the nubers i believe is a rateing as to how fine it is.
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Old Dec 8, 2005 | 08:09 AM
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Just take a trip to Home Depot/Lowe's...0000 is the finest I've been able to find, and works its way up in numbers as to how coarse it is.
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Old Dec 8, 2005 | 10:44 AM
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If the towel didn't turn black then he has a clear coat on the wheel. If there is a clear coat then a clay bar might help. But if they don't have a clear I would try something like Mothers Billet polish. Works great on my wheels
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Old Dec 11, 2005 | 09:48 AM
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I use turtle wax platinum wheel cleaner on my zr1s and i love it
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