Is there wax for chrome wheels? Will normal car paint wax work?

 

Are they bare chrome or are they clear coated?

 

Clear over Chrome? Never seen that one before. They do that?

 

What some people call "chrome" are not necessarily chrome.

Either way, I've always just used regular wax. I'd assume it's all in the prep anyway.

 

Agree. Polished Aluminum is not Chrome.

Albeit, some polishes are specific about how they are used. I have seen several that are not interchangeable both Al or chrome.

 

Right - I'm not addressing polishes - each type of wheel has its own cleaning and prepping procedures. As far as a LSP goes though, I would assume that "normal" car wax is fine for all coated and true chrome wheels.

 

Roger that...

 

There is some argument that wax shouldnt be used on wheels because it will melt. But Ive also heard that wax doesnt melt until 200*. Your wheels dont get that hot. However, wax doesnt have much durability, and wheels see pretty harsh conditions, so Id put a sealant on there instead of a wax.

 

what type of sealant?

 

I have had good luck with Chemical guys Wheel Guard. It is an acrylic sealer wax that holds up quite well. It is recommended for all types of wheels and acrylic is a sealer that lasts longer than carnuba. Great gloss too.

 

X2 on going with a sealant or synthetic.

Meguiar's #21, Poorboy's Wheel Sealant, or Wolfgang Sealant....

I've been talking to a detailer friend that really likes Pro's Polymer II Sealant. Not too sure about that one yet though... he's supposed to send me a sample. I hope I love it... it's cheap!

 

Yes you have-- look at my wheels. Chrome, but since they are OEM, they are cleared.

 

While I haven't seen it on a FoMoCo vehicle, I've read that this isn't always the case.

Rule of thumb -- test polish a small spot with a finger and a very small dab of metal polish. Rub. Finger turn black? No coating! No color other than the metal polish? Coating!

 

Last time I s-X'd my wheels, the cloth stayed white, so that's why I am makng the assumption that they are cleared... YAY! I hate polishing metal, so working on clear is a LOT better...

 

Yep, and if you use some "chrome polishes" on clear coated chrome, you can get a lot of fine scratches (or hazing) in the clear.

Always find out what you are dealing with first.