Coated or Uncoated Aluminum Wheels

Thanks all for the great info.

Pat, it's always good info from you down there in Catt County!

Ed

"Drive. Rinse. Repeat.
Trucks running on patented Dura-Bright® wheels from Alcoa don’t sit still for long. That’s because our durable, no-polish, easy maintenance surface treatment puts them back on the road faster, making it easier than ever to have a great looking truck. Great looks made simple.

Alcoa Dura-Bright® Wheels Low Maintenance Solution
Discover the no-polish, easy-maintenance way to bright, shiny wheels
that stay that way. Because the Dura-Bright® production process
penetrates the aluminum, these wheels keep their shine, even after
hundreds of washes and thousands of miles – without polishing"

down home wrote:
Polish and or wax them only. Do not use chemicals/cleaners for uncoated aluminum wheels.
I had a car wash destroy a set of coated wheels on a Chevy I owned by spraying it with acid to clean them. They turned black and then the coating peeled and so on. The acid penetrated the coating. No matter how tough the new finishes are they won't take it for long or at all.
If road grime and dust makes them dull simply washing them with a pad like you would the other parts of the coach should do it. NuFinish or any other polish will make them look bright.
A real polish might be needed some time or other but nothing aggressive.

:C what he said.

Polish and or wax them only. Do not use chemicals/cleaners for uncoated aluminum wheels.
I had a car wash destroy a set of coated wheels on a Chevy I owned by spraying it with acid to clean them. They turned black and then the coating peeled and so on. The acid penetrated the coating. No matter how tough the new finishes are they won't take it for long or at all.
If road grime and dust makes them dull simply washing them with a pad like you would the other parts of the coach should do it. NuFinish or any other polish will make them look bright.
A real polish might be needed some time or other but nothing aggressive.

A light coat of a polish like Nu Finish will not hurt anything. Been doing it for years.

Rich D was right about the Alcoa finish being the Durabright Surface Treatment. Here are links to the different surface options for Alcoa wheels:
Dura-Bright® Wheels

Dura-Flange® Wheels

Mirror Polish

Clean Buff (LvL ONE® Finish)

Brush Finish

Hey, those polished wheels look just like mine, I usually do mine by hand but occasionally use the Mothers balls.

wnytaxman
Well Sir, trying to polish a coated wheel is no recipe for any disaster. The chemical formula used in coating those wheels is seriously stronger than anyone thinks. You'd have rub in one spot for a half a day to do any damage to it. If it were that weak, you couldn't even do a thorough job of washing them without fear of damage. I've been polishing aluminum for decades, starting with my first motorcycle, a British Norton 750 Commando.

I've polished the wheels on all our fire trucks too for several years. A hand polished wheel, without a doubt, will outshine a coated one by far. But, many guys are not into it and, they like their coated wheels. No biggie, it's their coach. Aluminum is a soft metal, and, it "oxidizes" very quickly. Once the wheel is brought to an ultra sheen, the oxidation process is seriously slowed down. The reason, it's a much finer surface and, the pores are more torn down to similarity of a lake that's glass instead of wind chopped.

There are several types of polish out there. Just what you use is your preference. I myself, don't have any problem taking the time to do a good job on them. It's relaxing and, they look very nice when done. I've used Semi-Chrome, Zephyr 40 (sold by Costco online) Mothers, and a whole host of other aluminum polishes.

It's kind of a "love of labor" sort of thing. Good luck.
Scott

Thanks to all for your input. I have been told that polishing a coated wheel is a recipe for disaster so that's the reason for my question. Now I just have to sell my steel inserts and this whole transaction will be complete.

Look for a small label on the wheel...and don't try to polish coated wheels....Dennis