wheel polishing questions

[stealth355tpi]

I've got my car looking how I wanted it, now onto the wheels. Not sure where to start or the best method here. They have light scratches and the black doesn't seem to really pop anymore. Obviously I can't fit the pc with pads in there so I'm just looking for a little help thanks. Factory painted wheel with a clear coat.

 

[AmyAtAdamsAustralia]

Hi Kyle,

 

Welcome to our forums! The car looks great.

 

Usually factory clear coated wells can be cared for like your paint. Adam's Paint Correcting Polish and the Finishing Polish would be the best ticket here. Start with the least aggressive (Finishing Polish) and see where that gets you. If needed step up to the Correcting Polish.

 

As always, work on a clean and cool wheel. Given the design of your wheels it looks like hand polishing would be the way to go. You can use the blue microfibre pads to apply the polish(es). They are soft and able to be squeeze in tight spaces.

 

Let us know how you go.

 

p.s don't forget to seal all your hard work.

Edited July 25, 2014 by Joseph@AdamsAustralia

[Natch02]

Quick Sealant will be your best friend after you shine them up.

[stealth355tpi]

Thanks for the quick reply. I don't currently have any of the microfiber pads. I have the sponges but not sure how well those would work. Could I use microfiber towels or wouldn't that really work? Trust me I plan on sealing them haha, I hate seeing them dirty and the black shows right away.

[The Guz]

Hi Kyle,

 

Welcome to our forums! The car looks great.

 

Usually factory clear coated wells can be cared for like your paint. Adam's Paint Correcting Polish and the Finishing Polish would be the best ticket here. Start with the least aggressive (Finishing Polish) and see where that gets you. If needed step up to the Correcting Polish.

 

As always, work on a clean and cool wheel. Given the design of your wheels it looks like hand polishing would be the way to go. You can use the blue microfibre pads to apply the polish(es). They are soft and able to be squeeze in tight spaces.

 

Let us know how you go.

 

p.s don't forget to seal all your hard work.

 

^^^This.  But I am going to have to recommend using a non Adam's product in the Mothers mini power ball or power cone as your tool of choice with the Adam's polish and or compound. 

 

Quick Sealant will be your best friend after you shine them up.

 

Agree with this as well.

[stealth355tpi]

Also I just picked up some deep wheel and green wheel cleaner. Would either of these strip wax or sealant off the wheels once I finish with them?

[stealth355tpi]

^^^This. But I am going to have to recommend using a non Adam's product in the Mothers mini power ball or power cone as your tool of choice with the Adam's polish and or compound.

I have one of these from a set of polished wheels I use to have, never thought to use it. Would that work with the different levels of polishes? Just clean one product off the ball and move onto the next?

Edited July 25, 2014 by stealth355tpi

[The Guz]

Also I just picked up some deep wheel and green wheel cleaner. Would either of these strip wax or sealant off the wheels once I finish with them?

 

They will strip wax.  Use them before you start polishing and afterwards all you need is soap and water to keep them clean.

 

I have one of these from a set of polished wheels I use to have, never thought to use it. Would that work with the different levels of polishes? Just clean one product off the ball and move onto the next?

 

Yeah it works.  I have both and I wash mine after each use.  I use them to polish out my wheels that are painted.

 

This should give you an idea of the results.  I have both a mini power ball for the face and a cone for between the spokes.  I used a compound on the ball and cone and polished by hand as the power ball was not dry by the time I needed it for polishing.

 

Before (don't mind the ding in the wheel)

 

 

After

 

[stealth355tpi]

Ok thanks, I'll have to give that a shot. That sucks both cleaners strip the wheels down, I didn't know that.

[The Guz]

By the way nice to see you over here.  I have seen your car over on ls1tech. 

[stealth355tpi]

Thanks Michael, I thought I recognized your screen name.

[CTFocusST]

Nick mentioned that green wheel cleaner doesn't remove protection in this thread

 

http://www.adamsforums.com/topic/26868-a-little-love-for-gwc/?do=findComment&comment=423418

[The Guz]

It might not.  I had another sealant on my wheels and green wheel cleaner took it right off.  So maybe quick sealant is more durable. 

[stealth355tpi]

I'll either keep it and try it on other wheels or return it for something else. I'm glad I asked that question now.

[stealth355tpi]

Ok so I finally got a chance to pull the wheels and tried polishing them, no luck. I'm using the mothers power cone since I can't use a pad effectively on them and the polishes but it doesn't even look like it's touched them. And suggestions? Maybe I'm not pushing hard enough or not at a fast enough rpm. Trying to be safe and not hurt the clear.

[The Guz]

Do you have any close up pictures?  You could try uping the speed with just the polish before going more aggressive. 

[stealth355tpi]

I was able to get the face of the spoke better but no luck on the sides. The larger section is what I tried working out first.

[stealth355tpi]

Anyone have an ideas?

[The Guz]

Some of these scratches look pretty deep.  Can you feel them with your finger nail?  Also were you using the polish or the compound?

[stealth355tpi]

No I can't feel any of them. I used ssr, s&hr, then fmp

[stealth355tpi]

I swear I'm making this worse. In the small section all you see are the side to side scratches. In the larger side I worked now it has the circles from the power cone. What am I doing wrong here?

Edited August 22, 2014 by stealth355tpi

[The Guz]

Are you using enough product and making sure that the pad is not dry when using it?

[stealth355tpi]

I'm only working one little triangle at a time so I'm only using about a little more then a pea size of product. It's enough to cover the area. I'm also giving it a small mist of detail spray.

[Team Adam's]

Are you wiping after each product to check your work, or just going SSR-> SHR-> FMP?

[stealth355tpi]

Wiping after each. I was able to get the face of the spokes (silver area) looking better but can't seem to touch the black area. Not sure if it's the clear on the wheels or something else. I've tried different speeds and amount of pressure.

[The Guz]

Are you using the power cone with each product or just one?