Alright, I just bought these Wheels the other day. I need some help on cleaning these up, polishing them and clear coating them. I don't know what solvents/cleaners to use.

I've already tried using hot water, soap, and a brush but only managed to take some of the black crud off.

The other two tires are MUCH cleaner than these two, but they will also go through the same treatment.

Any suggestions on what I should go out and buy, and what tools I may need for it?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

 

Get a simple degreaser like simple green or a citrus degreaser. Spray it on a DRY wheel liberally allow it to set for 5-10 min and then use a wheel brush to scrub it. Another good product is sonax wheel cleaner.

After another 5 min use the brush with warm water and heavy soap like dawn and scrub the wheel down. Dont forget the insides.

Rinse ALL of the degreaser and soap off. Then apply a spray detailer to finish the wheels.

You may need to wet sand the wheels if they are pitted with brake dust and tar. After the degreaser clay them and then wet sand. Don't use anything more coarse than 800grit and start out with 1000g if that's not enough go to 800g. Continue up to 1800-2000 and then polishing compound followed by wax.

*If you have never wet sanded read up on how to articles before you start.
They look like they have been oxidized so it may be tough for someone without experience to get a good result from such a difficult wheel. Dont get discouraged, just think of it as practice you will eventually get the job done.

I have been professionally detailing for over 5 years

 

I managed to get all of the dirt off the face of the rims and I'm working on the insides now. I assume that the sanding would get rid of some curb rash the rims have on them?

The only problem now is that they are extremely dull. Would you recommend using Mothers Aluminum polish on them?

 

good job on cleaning them up, i would say it would be safe to use mothers alumi polish seems to work good for anything

 

I'll post some pics tomorrow, before I start polishing and after.

Any idea where I could find a good condition center cap? I checked Ebay with no luck :/

One of mine is really scraped up, removing the dirt just made it worse lol.

 

The wet sanding would not get rid of curb rash at the grits I specified. The wet sanding would only remove oxidation and some of the trapped dirt inside the craters from oxidation. They might stay dull until all of the oxidation in removed or most of it.

You will have to use a cutting compound on them followed by a lighter cutting polish. Mothers is OK you need to spend your time working it in. Follow it with a wax or sealant to protect them so future brake and road grime wont get so tough to clean off.

Clean them weekly or bi-weekly with a LIGHT degreaser and hose to keep you clean for years.