Here is a picture of some debris that I can't get off of my wheels. I looks to be in the clear. I have tried wheel cleaner, metal polish, soap and water.
Do you guys think rubbing compound will do the trick?

 

ttt

 

Could that be from hot brake dust burning into the rim? Or rock chips?

 

Have you tried claybaring it?

 

Yep, tried Clay, but that didn't do a thing.

 

What about Mr. Clean magic eraser? Worked for me. Just rinse thoroughly afterward.

 

Might give it a try. Thanks.

 

Be carful! That stuff is very abrasive!

 

No problem. I had something similar and some staining on my stock Rays and it got most of the stuff out. Let us know how it works out please. G/L!

 

The lips are a little bit of a mystery, are they clear coated or are they clear anodized ? Either way, as soon as something attacks the coating you have probs. Aluminum is easily blemished. What attacks the coating ? Salts can from roads, the neighborhood dog can from pissin on them, stone chipping can expose the bare aluminum and acids in the atmosphere will attack.

Abrasives can break through the coating and polish it back, but what do you do then to protect it? Wax it daily ? It would work, but a hassle

All you can do is experiment and see what works, or take it to a shop for a complete wheel polish then stay on top of them daily if you want them to remain perfect or drive only on sunny days on smooth roads that have no dogs living on them.

For a deep polish, you have to use a buffer really, with the compounds designed for Aluminum in stages from course to super fine.

Dupli-Color does have a wheel coating that is clear, I have a can but have yet to use it.

I have looked into buff/abrasive kits but have not done enough research in abrasives, that as a rule are in bar form and applied to the spinning buffer.

www.astrotools.com carries a nice one, PN 3059 but it is not on their site yet.

 

Damn Eazzzzzzy...nice write up. Like a douchbag, I left the wheels on during the winter, so it's probably a combo of salt and grim from the winter.
Whatever I use, I am going to use extreme caution while cleaning. If all else fails, I'll take 'em to a body shop.

 

There are places that specialize in wheel polishing, chk it out and maybe if nothing else, pick their brains. Check the Yellow pages

 

I'm gonna take some good before and after shots of the wheels and do a DIY or just let you guys know what I had done to get 'em cleaned up.