Cleaning and protecting GM chrome wheels

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bowtieman81

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Hello all,

I just purchased a 2011 GMC Sierra and it has what GM calls chrome clad aluminum wheels on it. Basically the wheels are aluminum with a factory chrome plated piece of plastic on the visible face. I can't say I like this design, but the truck had all the other options I wanted so I couldn't pass it up. Below are a couple pics of the wheel from the visible face and from the inside.
IMG_2268.jpg


IMG_2270.jpg


IMG_2275.jpg


Anyway, I would like to get a product to clean/polish the wheel and another product to protect it. In doing some research it sounds like collinite 845 might be good for a protectant, but I honesltly don't know what to use for cleaning/polishing. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Pete
 
Since it's chrome clade I would just use a wheel cleaners and use a wheel wax or regular wax to protect them. Anything made for really chrome will have to possibility of ruining the plastic.
 
Thanks for the help and the links guys.

To answer the question about a hubcap that is basically true. The wheel itself is plain aluminum, and then the factory chrome plates a piece of plastic and then glues this plastic to the face (visible) portion of the aluminum. Like I said I don't really like this design, and this is my first vehicle with this type of wheel so I don't have any experience with them.

My main concern was finding some products that would not harm the aluminum, plastic or chrome. I also wanted something to seal and protect all 3 materials.

My plan for the moment is to go with the Klasse twins (since I have some already) and then coat them with the Collinite 845. Does anyone see any problems with this.

Thanks,
Pete
 
If you have a little extra time you might want to clay the wheels, just to make sure you don't wind up abrading the surface while polishing.
 
bowtieman81 said:
Thanks for the help and the links guys.

To answer the question about a hubcap that is basically true. The wheel itself is plain aluminum, and then the factory chrome plates a piece of plastic and then glues this plastic to the face (visible) portion of the aluminum. Like I said I don't really like this design, and this is my first vehicle with this type of wheel so I don't have any experience with them.

My main concern was finding some products that would not harm the aluminum, plastic or chrome. I also wanted something to seal and protect all 3 materials.

My plan for the moment is to go with the Klasse twins (since I have some already) and then coat them with the Collinite 845. Does anyone see any problems with this.

Thanks,
Pete
Click to expand...

Sounds fine, my mom has an 09 malibu with the optional 18" wheels and they're the same thing. They're durable, but don't treat them as chrome because they're not. I usually just polish with m205 if they're scratched, they do seem to have a tendency to scratch easily, fine swirling. I currently have a coat of wgdgps on them.
 
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