Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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What kind of polish do I need to keep my chrome polished Chrysler wheels looking good?

My manual states just soap and water but that doesn't cut it. I am using Nano polish but the brake dust is horrendous. There has to be a simpler solution. What is it?

Patty Callum
consumer - Manteo, North Carolina
2007

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2007

An unfortunate problem these days is that with all of the advances in surface engineering, you often don't know what you have. The wheels could have real nickel-chrome plating on them, or they could be PVD coated, or it could just be "chrome-look paint" or powder. If it's not real plating, polish will probably damage it.

While we're waiting for someone who might know what the finish actually is, I'll note that "nothing sticks to chrome". If you can't quickly and easily wipe that brake dust off with a damp rag, my guess is the finish is phoney, not chrome.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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2007

I am not sure what finish you have but to be safe, here is what I learned not to do. On our PT, I used some oxalic acid-based wheel cleaner made to "remove brake dust quickly and easily". It did. However, I also corroded the lug nuts to the point that the hubcap would not come off of them. (They screw on to the lugnuts, long story.) In your case, I would stay away from the acid-based cleaner, get some good, mild, car or dishwashing soap and clean them periodically before they have time to really get nasty. Eventually, you can swap brake pads to something like a Wagner Thermo-Quiets or a Bendix brand, both which are much cleaner pads that emit little or no visible brake dust.

Good luck.
Tom

Tom Hand
- KC, Missouri, USA