I'm trying to clean some polished wheels and I am using Mothers Mag&Aluminum Polish. It isn't working so well. Should I try chrome polish? Is chrome similar to polished metal?

 

Yes, use Chrome Polish. Most Chrome polish will remove tarnish so it will give you a nice shine. Conversly, you can't use Chrome Polish on normal polished metal (which is what Mother's Aluminum Polish is). Funny as it is, I have some chrome amps and use some Chrome Polish on it and I can see my reflection on it. Also, you will see the cloth turning black (removing tarnish). Good luck.

EDIT: OK, I just read your post again and noticed you said Polished RIMS. I'm guessing it isn't Chromed so don't use Chrome Polish on it. Do you have a power drill? If so, try using Mother's Powerball with the Power Polish. I heard that works well too and makes it easier to clean.

 

Are you sure your rims aren't clear coated? If you're rubbing the polish on, and it's not turning black then it's not doing anything.

Polishing wheels are a PITA btw...I love having 4" lips, but I also hate it.

 

It is turning black, too black. After rubbing it in, I try to wipe it off with a clean towel and the metal stays a little dark. I have to spray it with some cleaner to make it shiny again. Do I have to keep using the polish until it stops turning black?

 

You're not buffing it enough then if it's still staying black. Apply more polish & use more force.

 

if it's turning black that means you're removing the tarnish and some metal. Metal when polished will turn black. Using too much force may leave some haze. Using a finer polish will great a higher gloss. If you keep using polish until it stops turning black be prepared to be there for a while

 

I've always found the harder I polish, the shinier my wheels will get. If I half a$$ it and just kinda wipe the stuff on there, it doesn't work very well. You gotta use some elbow grease.

 

well half *** wiping of course isn't going to get the job done. but no elbow grease for me.... machine polishing

 

It says on the directions, not to use any force. Just rub it in and wipe off. When rubbing, the cloth turns instantly black and after the product had broken down, I try to wipe off the residue and it won't come off cleanly. Even if I try to rub it off with force, it won't come off unless I wipe it with a damp towel. Is this polish suppose to get scratches out?

 

Here is some compare shots of the inside of my wheel when I took them off for the summer. The insides wernt cleaned all summer becuase its impossibe to unless the wheel is off. I used a power ball and mothers mag & aluminum polish...

before:


after:


their not perfect but thats the best I could get them, I dont know what else to do, anyone got any tips to make them look how the front lip looks..

 

Best metal polish out there for restoring metal surfaces is the P21S Finish Restorer. I've used it one some exhaust tips and wheels that looked like they would never look new again and the product really proved me wrong. I highly recommend you pick up a tube of it. I use it on wheels, exhausts, trim pieces and even around the house. I've used it as much as I can all year and I still have 2/3 of the tube left, little bit goes a long way.

 

Anyone tried white diamond metal polish? I LOVE this stuff, most motorcycle shops sell it about 20 bucks a bottle but def. the best metal polish I have ever used.

 

anyone try the Nano polish from Eagle1?

 

I like using eagle one never dull wadding polish, it is the best that I have used soo far, and I think you guys should try it out and let me know how it works for you

 

I've used some 00000steelwool to breakdown deposits. Then to get rid
of fine scratches and restore shine I've used Meguiars all metal polish
with Mothers (top line) can't think of name. 50-50 and terrycloth towels
kick some major as$. Thing that worked for me was. Not applying to much
product, just rub it in until you can't see it anymore than buff out with towels. I always go until I don't have any BLACK..I know...BIG pain in the
as$ but well worth it. Once I'm done, I do 2-3 coats of rim sealer made for
high temps.