Meguiar's APC on Chrome wheels?

[ExplorerXLT95]

I'm about to do a "Concours" cleaning of my chrome wheels. I have a few cleaners at my disposal, but the most aggressive is Meguiar's APC. Would a 4:1 or 1:1 water-to-APC solution be OK on the Chrome? I could just use my Eimann Fabrik Powerwash+, but I figured the more clean I could get them, the better.



If you do NOT suggest the APC, please let me know what some other alternatives are for cleaning that nasty brake dust off of my beautiful chrome wheels



Thanks a bunch in advance!!

 

[stilez]

I use APC 10:1 and find it strong enough for most applications.



On chrome, I had great success with the 4 Star Wheel Cleaner Gel.

 

[ExplorerXLT95]

I use APC 10:1 and find it strong enough for most applications.



On chrome, I had great success with the 4 Star Wheel Cleaner Gel.

I wanted to do this tomorrow evening, so I'd prefer not to have to buy or order something else. I've got APC, Eimann Fabrik Powerwash+, and Simple Green as my choices.



Which of those would you choose if you had to?



Thanks in advance :xyxthumbs

 

[stilez]

Never tried the Eimann Fabrik.



Never had amazing luck with Simple Green on chrome.



I'd say dilute APC to 10:1 and go stronger if necessary. The chrome polish should do the majority of the brightening.

 

[ExplorerXLT95]

Never tried the Eimann Fabrik...



...I'd say dilute APC to 10:1 and go stronger if necessary. The chrome polish should do the majority of the brightening.

Eimann Fabrik Powerwash+ is just the stuff I use to wash the car. So it's definitely 100% safe on the wheels.



I will dilute to 10:1 and try that. After, I'll apply either Klasse AIO and HGSG or EO Mag/Alum Polish (yes it works on Chrome too)... or both?!



Any ideas on whether or not I should do:



1) just the Klasse twins

2) just the EO Mag/Alum Polish

3) BOTH of the above



Thanks again, in advance :xyxthumbs

 

[togwt]

Eimann Fabrik Powerwash+ is just the stuff I use to wash the car. So it's definitely 100% safe on the wheels.



I will dilute to 10:1 and try that. After, I'll apply either Klasse AIO and HGSG or EO Mag/Alum Polish (yes it works on Chrome too)... or both?!



Any ideas on whether or not I should do:



1) just the Klasse twins

2) just the EO Mag/Alum Polish

3) BOTH of the above



Thanks again, in advance :xyxthumbs

Quote: Chrome is actually a "sacrificial" material - its structure consists of oxidized scale which constantly "gives up" its top layer of molecules to reveal the shine below - I too believe that cleaning is paramount, with no wax, which would seem to me to compromise the whole process.



Remember that we are not dealing with pure chromium as found on the periodic table. "Chrome" has nickel added, and a copper substrate as I recall.



Oxidation resistance can be attributed to the formation of a highly adherent protective scale. The adherence and coherence of the scale can be improved by the addition of small amounts of other reactive elements such as zirconium, silicon, cerium, calcium or similar. The scale thus formed is a mixture of nickel and chrome oxides (NiO and Cr2O3). These combine to form nickel chromite (NiCr2O4), which has a spinel-type structure.



Keep them clean, but not sealed - you are mucking around with the formation of the protective layer. EOQ ( Acura Forum)



If anybody has corrections to the above procedure, Iâ€â„¢m always anxious to improve my technique/ knowledge

 

[Eliot Ness]

Quote: Chrome is actually a "sacrificial" material - its structure consists of oxidized scale which constantly "gives up" its top layer of molecules to reveal the shine below - I too believe that cleaning is paramount, with no wax, which would seem to me to compromise the whole process. ......

That's a new one on me. To not wax or seal a chrome surface is inviting corrosion and pitting, IMHO.



My observation has been that a properly waxed chrome surface will look good and remain pit and rust free.



I've been waxing and/or sealing chrome for more years than I'd care to admit with no adverse affects. On-the-other-hand I've seen chrome that has not been maintained that develops rust and pits, especially on repo parts that are not as well plated as factory or from a good chrome shop.



Perhaps if one just kept the chrome clean it might not rust or pit, but I've always keep it waxed/sealed for protection, and on wheels for ease of cleaning.

 

[stilez]

I believe it polishing and sealing chrome.



I have tried only polishing and polishing/sealing on various chrome wheels (different manufacturers and aftermarket as well). I found the wheels that are sealed (Klasse twins) kept shining longer and resisted any contaminants as well as pitting.

 

[togwt]

~One manâ€â„¢s opinion / observations~



Thanks for the replies, it didnâ€â„¢t seem to â€Ëœfitâ€â„¢ anything I knew, hence the question.

My regimen for Chrome Wheels:

Thoroughly rinse wheels to remove any loose surface dirt or dust, remove imbedded brake dust with detailerâ€â„¢s clay, then remove surface brake dust with a 100% acid-free and neutral pH wheel cleaner (P21S Wheel Cleaner) Agitate with a soft boarâ€â„¢s hair wheel brush and rinse with low-pressure clean water, if necessary use a polish to restore the lustre and prevent re-oxidation (Izâ„¢ Einszett Metal Polish (Chrompflege) finally apply a polymer sealant (Klasse All-In-One) for long lasting protection and buff to a shine with a clean, dry micro fibre towel.



~Hope this helps~



Knowledge unshared is experience wasted [each one / teach one]

justadumbarchitect / so I question everything/ JonM

 

[cheapshot]

I would go with klasse AIO/SG on wheels. I just AIO'd some VW wheels, and they came out killer. I also noticed that they are much easier to clean, I just used old wash mitt (now dedicated to wheels) with car wash mix, and they were sparkling again. I am going to add another coat of AIO and SG before winter. Go for it! :up



I never used APC, but thinking of picking up some, because wheels cleaners and degreasers from local stores are getting pricey.



I am not quite sure if EO A2Z is safe on chrome. But i used on the vw wheels and they came out pretty clean, you may need a soft wheel brush or soft terry rag to agitate some areas if they are bad. A2Z works well and can also be used on tires.



As far as polishing wheels I never did, I'm am relatively new to detailing. But I would assume after cleaning if they have marring or scratches they would need polishing and then protection. My car has hubcaps.