I was kinda bummed as I was reading up on the clear coat issue on my rims. All the feedback was once they got cloudy you had to strip them and have them re-finished.

A buddy recommended I try rubbing compound first (FYI I tried a number of cleaners etc...).

I picked up a small rotary buffer and a tub of rubbing compound. Two hours later they look almost new!

Pretty psyched as the powder coat I was looking at was pushing $500.

Also: that detailing clay is absolutely awesome!
My paint went from kinda rough and gritty with a little oxidization to feeling like GLASS and having a deep shine, I can't believe the difference for $20 and some elbow grease.

 

it's all in the elbows my friend.

I find meguiars polishing compound did wonders for my finish.

and if the polish has no effect on your wheels,
it's a cheap process to strip and buff your wheels.

all you'd need is some aircraft stripper, aluminum& mag polish, and some wax.

 

I gotta try this, it looks like my rims are all scratched up but they're not...they're just corroded. What type of rubbing compound did you use Fenja?

 

Just regular turtle wax rubbing compound. Cost me 3 bucks. I used a terry cloth buffing bonnet. Get a spray bottle filled with water, a towel and rock on. This rotary buffer is pretty slick. I just used it to buff my wax job and it looks excellent; the shine is 4-5 inches deeper. That detailing clay was the best $15 I spent so far though. What a difference.

 

indeed clay bar is a good tool to have in one's detailing arsenal

 

Comon man, next time how about a before/after pic? We love stories like this, but we really love stories like these with pics!

At least you passed on some advice...so I can't verbally scold you too much.

 

I need to get a new camera, mine is toast. The one on my cell phone isn't too hot.
Visualize aluminum rims with dried milk all over them. Now imagine they are bright and shiny!

 

Will do my best. MMMmmm, chocolate milk...

 

Gotta try that sounds sweet

 

Wait, when do you use the clay bar? Before or after the rubbing compound?

 

I use the clay bar on the paint, not the wheels. Just rubbing compound on the wheels. Sorry for the confusion.

 

I used some No. 7 Professional Strength rubbing compound on my rims and used a soft pad to work it in (about 5 minutes per rim using my hands, no tools) and they came out o.k. I used polishing compound afterward and they came out much shinier and reflective, yet I still have a bunch of little "scratches" all over the rims even though they are not actual scratches...is that what yours looked like before you cleaned them or are my rims a hopeless cause? I'll take a few pics soon to show you guys what I'm talking about.

 

I'd say go pick up an electric rotary buffer for $25, slap the rubbing compound on a terry cloth pad and spend 20 minutes a wheel, you may see a big difference.
However, my issue was cloudiness in the clear coat.