First set of chrome wheels

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

bryan28

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2015
Posts
1,060
Reaction score
541
Location
Tullahoma, TN
Ram Year
2020 Laramie CC 4x4
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Got my first set of chrome wheels and want your advice on how to clean/protect them. I usually either wash the truck at a carwash with spray wand or a touchless drive thru wash with no brushes. If i clean the wheels with a mild auto wash and put a chrome polisher/protector on them would the washing methods i mentioned take the protection off? My plan is to thoroughly wash and protect (wax) the wheels twice per year and use the carwash methods above in between. What do you suggest?
 

THETANK

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2014
Posts
2,196
Reaction score
657
Location
up jor *** mang
Ram Year
2015 R/T
Engine
5.7L Hemi
I would do I more than twice a year but I am a tiny bit ocd. The thing I love about chrome is how easy they clean up ie a polish job (of coarse after its bath) depending on the style can take me as little as 1/2 hour tops and here I am referring to the 18" Roush rims that were on my 2005 Mustang GT. The car never saw rain/snow so they were are breeze to clean up. If you encounter snow which means salt i would be looking for a winter setup. Good luck. Oh my polished aluminum rims on the R/T have been confused as chrome by a few as I power polish them with the right product. Clean clean clean is a great friend.
 

Pull Ya

U.S. MARINE VETERAN
Supporting Member
Military
Joined
Jan 16, 2012
Posts
15,787
Reaction score
23,056
Location
Cedar Creek, Tx
Ram Year
2015
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I would recommend a couple of things--either use a good sealant on them(same sealant you use on your truck)and then put a good coat of wax over the sealant, or if you can find someone that has some ceramic coating left after they did their car/truck, you can use the ceramic coating on your wheels. The coating will give you the best and longest protection. If you go the sealant/wax route, I'd also use a spray wax on them maybe once a month just to add to the protective base you already have. The bad thing about using the car wash is that you never really know what type of soap they use and if it is really really strong it could take your wax off, however I doubt it will take off the sealant or the coating.
Jay
 

autokraftgt

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2013
Posts
1,259
Reaction score
513
Ram Year
2011
Engine
Hemi 6.1
Most touchless car washes use hydrophloric acid as one of their 2-step chemical applications. They need MUCH harsher chemicals and a lot more of it due to lack of friction. I'd personally stay clear of touchless washes. If hydrophloric can eat concrete, it'll eat any kind of protection you apply to those wheels. I've owned many different sets of chrome wheels and the best thing you can do is stay on top of the cleaning...especially the front wheels. I'd probably clean weekly or every other week just to make sure the brake dust and other grime does not make your chrome wheels their permanent home. If you clean the wheels often, they'll be a snap to do quickly
 

Silence

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2017
Posts
15
Reaction score
6
Ram Year
2012
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Hey man I got stock rims on my 2012 I dunno if they are "chrome" I'm assuming aluminum polished but they have black spots on them any idea how to get that off? Or am I doomed?
 

Pull Ya

U.S. MARINE VETERAN
Supporting Member
Military
Joined
Jan 16, 2012
Posts
15,787
Reaction score
23,056
Location
Cedar Creek, Tx
Ram Year
2015
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Does it look like brake dust? Can you post a picture?
Jay
 
Top