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TurnThePage's avatar
TurnThePage
Explorer
Oct 25, 2013

Winter Wheel Care. What to do?

This is not specifically a tow vehicle or even an RV topic, though they are certainly included. I live well into the northern climbs of the US of A, and have dealt with Winter damaged chrome, polished aluminum, and OEM wheels for many years. There's not much use of salt around here. Instead we tend to rely on sand, gravel, and chemicals. After a while, it really adds up.

Just looking for wisdom and suggestions on how to maintain and protect those poor rims. Sure, I would love to purchase some cheap Winter wheels, but they're really not all that "cheap".

2 Replies

  • down_home's avatar
    down_home
    Explorer II
    Oct 25, 2013
    About the best thing to come along are the new clear coats on aluminum wheels.
    They may be able to coat chrome now but formerly they didn't have much luck.
    Chrome plate is porous and the thin coats are easily nicked etc. They sometimes seemed to rust before you got them on.
    I've seen some stainless wheels, in the past but don't remember where. They rust but can be polished.
    Aluminum wheels, uncoated, are a pain, especially with cold and salt. Polishing a set of uncoated aluminum wheels every couple weeks or replacing them is a pain and expensive.
    Seldom see problem wheel, in this part of the country, these days because of the tough coating or paint.

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