What is the best way to clean and polish trim rings? I bought some used rallye wheels and the dirt seems to be imbedded in the trim rings. I tried a number of cleaners and polishes, nothing works. Should I get them chromed or replace them? Thanks
Yup tried that.Have you tried 0000 steel wool?
I tried stainless steel cleaner, didn't work. I saw some trim rings that looked like they were chrome, not stainless.they arent chrome
Here are some pictures.Let's see a picture what you are talking about.
Thanks, I'll give your recommendations a try.That's what I wanted to see.Brushed finish.Do you know what the spotting is? Some of these you may already have. I would start with the least aggressive more so wiping on and off.Vinegar,purple power, simple green LA Awesome.You can try baking soda,make a past with water and lightly rub so you don't loose the brushed finish.Also try Barkeeper friend (Lowes) soft scrub or comet. The more aggressive would be acetone,lacquer thinner and brake cleaner. other than that buffing with a compound you will loose the finish. Mequiars Diamond Cut Compound is a good product to try. It's hard to say what will take it off without knowing what it is. Road grime try gasoline.
Thanks. What you recommend, was something I was going to try. May be not so aggressive with the 80 grit.Some notes I had on restoring trim rings!
1. Use a Dual Action sander with 80 grit paper, make sure you keep the pad flat with the flat face of the trim ring. This will give a flat surface all the way around. You might notice spots that aren't getting sanded, they are low and can be hammered out some more.
2. Switch to 180 grit, then 220 grit.
3. A regular sanding block with progressively finer paper is used to remove the previous sanding marks. Go until it can be polished with a normal cotton polishing wheel. Rouge will bring out the shine.
4. Metal polish like Wenol will make it pop.
5. For the brushed style ring, some are nice enough to use a coarse Scotch Brite by hand, others take a piece of 180 grit paper. Just follow the factory brushed pattern.
i used Mothers Aluminum polish and their polishing tool--also on OEM sill platesWhat is the best way to clean and polish trim rings? I bought some used rallye wheels and the dirt seems to be imbedded in the trim rings. I tried a number of cleaners and polishes, nothing works. Should I get them chromed or replace them? Thanks
I got most of the stains and intended dirt out with fine crocus cloth. I was actually think of using the Mother's polish after I get the trim rings a little cleaner. Thanksi used Mothers Aluminum polish and their polishing tool--also on OEM sill plates