Polishing & Enhancing Chrome and Stainless-Steel Wire Wheels

Why must we clean, correct, and protect Chrome Wire Wheels?

Unquestionably, “Chrome Wire Wheels” enhance the appearance of a classic car, especially sports cars and sporting saloons. Many of us cringe at the thought of cleaning them, let alone polishing and improving them. However, few would argue that a properly prepared and polished wheel significantly boosts the overall presentation of the vehicle.

Below is our process for achieving the best possible result. The same method can be applied when cleaning and protecting stainless steel wheels, chrome, and alloy rims.

How do I polish a Chrome Wire Wheel?  Refer to Photo 1

Remove one wheel at a time from the car if possible.

The equipment required

• E-Valence Chrome and Metal Polish *2,
• SIFA or equivalent Super Fine Steel Wool.
• Wheel Stand. Not essential, though it’s very handy. Shop online for second-hand.
• A bright Torch or detailing light.
• An electric toothbrush with a selection of children’s heads. (It has a smaller fitting that will enable you to reach the base of the spoke.)
• A medium toothbrush (modified with a grinder to fit behind the spokes)enables. This will allow you to apply soft pressure in hard-to-access areas.
• A thin-stem toothbrush or flexible plastic rod to assist in pushing the microfibre cloth through the spokes in confined areas.
• Three 270 – 330 GSM Microfibre Cloths. *3 Cut one Microfibre Cloth cut into two strips, one third and two thirds.
• Modified buds, created by attaching flannelette to disposable Lip Applicators.
• Prepared strips of Steel Wool.

Step 1

What is the best wash process?

• Wash the vehicle in the recommended manner. Click here to read the E-Valence post, The Car Wash Process, available for download on our website.
• Only use a genuine pH neutral wheel cleaner. Wheel cleaners can and should be used; however, ensure they are pH Neutral and not strongly caustic.
• E-Valence pH Neutral Alloy & Wire Wheel Cleaner is an ideal choice, as it is a balance of soft surfactants.
• Additionally, it will leave a protective coating on the surface of the rim or the spokes of your Chrome Wire Wheels.
  Jet-washing wire wheels is not recommended, as they can push chemicals up through the spoke nipples, leaving caustic chemicals in the rim. This may cause corrosion over time.
• Dry the wheels with a Luxury Drying Towel and you are ready to proceed.

Step 2

Removing surface rust and industrial contaminants from chrome.

• Using strips of superfine steel wool.
• Start with the front and rear surfaces of the outer rim.
• Rub the steel wool backwards and forwards along the surface until the marks are cleared away. Refer to photo 3. If they have not gone after 30 Seconds of rubbing, then they probably won’t be removable.
• Don’t over-rub the area, as the purpose of the steel wool is to “nip off the contaminant”, not to reduce the thin coating of chrome. *
• Similar respect should be shown to stainless steel wheels when addressing the slightly less accessible areas, such as the front of the hub.
• Access from the rear and wipe around the hub several times. Working on the front of the hub from behind. Refer to Photo 4.

Note the use of the lip applicator in the photo to reach those confined areas.
Again, from the rear, use the steel wool by hand to correct those areas accessible on the outer rim (the one the tyre goes on).

Step 3

• Finally, from the front, correct any other accessible areas with your fingers.
• Before proceeding to the next stage, spray the entire wire wheel with Chrome & Metal Polish and wipe clean.
• Continue removing contaminants with the steel wool using the toothbrush and other buds till the process is completed.
• Below are several photos that may help you design your buds.
• Note the stainless strip laid out between the spokes and the rim. A flexible toothbrush will greatly assist in this phase of the process.
• Steel wool is laid out within the rim with a flexible toothbrush. Refer to Photo 5.

Step 4

What is the best way to protect chrome wire wheels?

The final process – Applying Chrome & Metal Polish

Formulated to rejuvenate and protect chrome, it will produce a deep, rich, streak-free shine while leaving a protective coating. This coating will significantly reduce tarnishing and protect from dust mites*6 over time. Likewise, this protection is very effective for vehicles that are in constant use. It should also be applied to stainless steel wheels.

• Spray all areas of the wheel, both front and back.
• Using two microfibre cloths of 270-330 GSM, thoroughly clean the hub, rim, and spokes by pushing and rubbing the cloth between the spokes with your fingers.
• Pass one cloth through the gap between the spokes and the rim and pull back and forth to polish each specific area on the rim.
• Repeat around the wheel for the inner hub and outer rim.
• With two-thirds of a cloth, pass it through the front spokes so it rests on the hub.
• Using both hands, pull back and forth to polish that section.

Finished and ready for Tyre Dressing.*5

What is the best way to rejuvenate a tyre and give it that “New Tyre” look?

For the ultimate “new tyre look”, apply E-Valence Tyre Dressing – Silicone Free.

This product is water-based and does not contain silicone. Simply apply it to a slightly moist sponge or microfibre cloth and wipe around the tyre in the usual manner. Once complete, ensure the tyre is dry by wiping it again with the cloth.

Click here to read our post on polishing if you are correcting Painted Wire Wheels.

*1 Polishing: – any process or chemical enhancement that includes the word “polish” by definition is an abrasive process to clean or enhance.

*2 E-Valence Chrome & Metal Polish is a non-abrasive cleaner and enhancer. We use the word in its generic sense to reflect correction.

*3 When finished, store these clothes in a separate Ziplock bag. Throughout the correction process, they will pick up stainless-steel fibres that will be harmful to paint if used in a polishing or cleaning process

* 4 Chrome Plating. In the chrome plating process, approximately 35% is Copper, 45-50% is Nickel, and the final 15-20% is Chrome.

* 5 The rim used in this post is 20 years old and has been brought back to life using this process.

*6 Cars kept in damp storage areas are often subject to this type of damage.