What's your favorite protectant for chrome?

JasonD

JasonD

New member
Well, we just figured out in another thread that non-acid based cleaners are best for most types of wheels, including chrome so let's discuss what the best protectant is. So far, I've heard that SG is a good one, what is everyone's favorite?



Actually, I'd like to divide the question into two parts. What is your favorite polish and what is your favorite protectant...only on chrome please since I am trying to decide what to use on my chrome wheels. :D
 
I've used Mother's stuff for bad chrome, but I too use VM on good condition chrome. Also use VM on the polished aluminum turn signals on my old R75/5.
 
Two questions, the 1Z polish you are referring to is the 1Z Chrompflege (metal polish)? Second, who makes VM and where can I buy it?
 
JDookie said:
Two questions, the 1Z polish you are referring to is the 1Z Chrompflege (metal polish)? Second, who makes VM and where can I buy it?
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correct, that is the 1z stuff that i am talking about, and i think vm is made my clearkote??
 
I just looked at the ClearKote site and was wondering why you guys liked VM over their actual metal polish?
 
Favorite polish and protectant. - Mother's Chrome Polish and Protectant and Klasse AIO



Favorite polish without protectant - Clearkote Metal polish (really excellent stuff):xyxthumbs



Favorite protectant with no cleaning action and durable protection: Zaino Z2 or Z5 and Klasse SG
 
Sorry, but I must desent....I don't believe we have figuered out that non acid wheel cleaners are best etc.......in my opinon there is room for both types of chemistry.



For severly stained chrome wheels that have been negleted.....an acid wheel cleaner is your best bet.



For clear coated wheels an acid cleaner without HF or Phosphoric acid is highly effective and very safe to use....just as safe as any alkaline cleaner both from a health issue and an effacy issue....and frankly more effective.



Mothers Chrome Polish is very mild and is designed for folks who maintain their wheels properly...makes them pop! I see no reason to use more than one product for polishing and protecting chrome...a good one step should do both...



Once chrome goes south....there is nothing much you can do for it. It's not really a metal in the tradition sense...it's a plating, and once it is breached, pitted, then there is an absense of plating and there is no way to replace it. We can remove the oxide...and generally make the wheel look better but we will still have the treaded pit.



So the point is to keep em clean and polished and protected...ah yes frequency is always key.
 
Mothers chrome polish works well, i used it on what was left of my friends wheels and they looked pretty good however i agree maintance is key. It was pretty sad seeing the chrome peeling and pitted :rolleyes: salted roads + chrome dosent seem to mix well.
 
for protection.....Z2 works great on just about ANY non-porous surface. Its durability and slickness keep chrome wheels clean and protected. Keep BRAKE DUST off your CHROME WHEELS or they WILL PIT!



I found this stuff works well to return shine to dull chrome finishes.....



http://properautocare.com/nevrdull.html



Also WENOL polish works great on chrome and other steel wheels.
 
I use AIO + SG on chrome, but it's only trim, not wheels and it never gets nasty between details.



Mr. Chemist- Not to take this off-topic, but can you recommend a safe acidic wheel cleaner? Something that's OK to recommend to others who might not have our experience? Then I wouldn't have to just knee-jerk with an "avoid the acids" for fear that somebody will make a mistake like the others I know who've used such things.
 
You should select a wheel cleaner depending on the type of wheels you have...billet, clearcoat, aluminum, chrome. I think the ones that would be considered "safe" won't have the performance that you like. Remember the old oxalic acid debate?



I only use wheel cleaner once a yr.....basically after a long winter when I don't get to clean the car as much as I would like on my daily driver. Then I polish and apply a few coats of sealant. I found that if you keep them protected with a quality sealant, they clean up nice with just leftover carwash from your weekly wash and an old washmitt.
 
Mothers Wheel Mist Multipurpose, in the yellow bottle. Works great on clear coated wheels...if you follow the directions it works great....
 
Mr. Chemist said:
Mothers Wheel Mist Multipurpose, in the yellow bottle. Works great on clear coated wheels...if you follow the directions it works great....
Click to expand...



Is that safe on chrome, aluminum, and Billet wheels? What type of acid is the active ingredient?
 
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