Coated, Billet, or Anodized Wheels?

[mcpp66]

The instructions of DP Cleanse-All says that if you have coated, billet, or anodized wheels to dilute 1:1 with water. Now I know coated means painted, but what are billet and anodized wheels and how do you know if the car you're working on has them?

 

[ScottB]

billet aluminum ... think of the wheels Boyd Coddington and Foose offer. Coated wheels are indeed "clearcoated" so the metal is not bare. Wheels not coated can be damaged and etched with some cleaners. Always tread carefully. P21S is one option for all wheel types but a little more expensive.

 

[mcpp66]

billet aluminum ... think of the wheels Boyd Coddington and Foose offer. Coated wheels are indeed "clearcoated" so the metal is not bare. Wheels not coated can be damaged and etched with some cleaners. Always tread carefully. P21S is one option for all wheel types but a little more expensive.

I wouldn't know about Boyd Coddington or Foose.....I'm just trying to take it all in so that I can learn something. Being that I'm just a guy getting into this as a hobby (no past experience) and maybe to make a few bucks here and there, perhaps since I'm not going to be able to know when I'm working with a billet or anodized wheel perhaps I should just not use this as a wheel cleaner? Or would this product be strong enough when diluted 1:1 and yet safe for all wheel types?

Here's what's confusing me......Dwayne at AG told me that this cleaner is very strong. The instructions say for the type of wheels stated above to dilute 1:1 and for all other wheels simply spray on (after wetting with water first). So if this cleaner is strong it would seem to make more sense to dilute when you're going to clean an uncoated wheel vs. diluting when cleaning a coated wheel?

 

[jlb85]

It is hard to tell sometimes. When in doubt, assume they are uncoated as they are the most delicate to clean.

Here are some pics of some variations:

Polished, uncoated:

Anodized:

Coated centers, uncoated lips:

Coated throughout:

 

[XB70]

Team III Halibrand replica with full size spinner and lug nut covers.

Painted center

Bare aluminum spinner

Bare aluminum rim

TO FIND OUT IF IT'S BARE ALUMINUM, RUB SOME CLEANER WAX OR LIGHT POLISH ON THE ALUMINUM. IF YOUR TOWEL TURNS BLACK, YOU'RE RUBBING ON BARE ALUMINUM.