0000 steal wool to clean chrome..

[billison]

I keep reading online about people using super fine steal wool to clean chrome rims before They polish them. I tested on the bathroom fosset and it seemed fine. Anyone ever do this?

I got a set of Greg weld racelites I'm hoping to clean up and get to shine.

 

[ratio411]

I have used them on chrome rims with surface rust.
Takes it right off, and they polish up nice afterwards.
I never really thought about using them on "good" chrome rims...
If you are too aggressive, they will leave swirl marks.
What I mean by "good" rims is that I have never used them on rims without some issues, as the surface rust would suggest, so don't go using steel wool on nice rims on my word alone! I figure once they have some surface problems on the chrome, it can't hurt, so I did it.

 

[ratio411]

Oh, and they make a funny kind of 'steel wool' that is sold at gun shops, and it is very gentle.
It is very wide strips of fine, flat metal, balled into a sponge like shape, and you can use it on blued steel (which is fairly fragile), and it will take out rust without damaging the blueing. I have used it on guns, and it is pretty amazing. Steel wool would cut right into the blue and ruin it, so this stuff is impressive. Can't say what it would do to chrome, but I figured it came to mind, so I'd mention it.

 

[billison]

I keep reading how great it is, then I see a post saying it'll trash the rims. They are pretty hazy with a bunch of water marks, so unless they end up rusted over, they can't get worse.

 

[ratio411]

I keep reading how great it is, then I see a post saying it'll trash the rims. They are pretty hazy with a bunch of water marks, so unless they end up rusted over, they can't get worse.

That's kinda what I was getting at...
If the rims are perfect, I wouldn't dare use steel wool, but if they are already marginal, then what can it hurt...
I guess if you are considering steel wool, the rims aren't great anyway.
That's how I look at it.

 

[gearheadboy]

As long as it is 0000 or finer = 00000, 000000. You can use it on chromed aluminum, chromed steel, and glass. I use it to clean over spray off of windows and mirrors. I clean my windows with it all the time. BUT don't use it on aluminum. I assume your Greg Welds aren't aluminum?

 

[billison]

Any idea if Greg weld rims are clear coated?

 

[ratio411]

Any idea if Greg weld rims are clear coated?

I believe they come as polished aluminum.
I know Cragar made their Weld design in a less expensive chrome steel version, and I kinda assumed that was what you were talking about.
I don't know if Weld made them that way when he took his design from Cragar. Should be easy to tell by looking at them though.
I wouldn't use anything but polish if they are aluminum. I am pretty sure they are bare aluminum...

 

[billison]

How do I tell?

 

[ratio411]

How do I tell?

Tell if they are aluminum?
Stick a magnet to them.

or are they clear coated?
I don't know.

 

[billison]

I can tell its aluminum by the weight, I heard if the polish turns black I'm good to go..

 

[gearheadboy]

If liquid car or metal polish turns black they are aluminum and you cannot polish them with steel wool. I asked about the material because I am almost certain Greg Welds are bare aluminum and can't be polished with steel wool. Use mothers liquid and a soft cloth. I use a machine for bad ones and then a piece of t-shirt with liquid mothers. Then shine them up with a micro fiber cloth.

 

[billison]

I'll try mothers first! Thanks.

I'll test before I do anything

 

[billison]

If liquid car or metal polish turns black they are aluminum and you cannot polish them with steel wool. I asked about the material because I am almost certain Greg Welds are bare aluminum and can't be polished with steel wool. Use mothers liquid and a soft cloth. I use a machine for bad ones and then a piece of t-shirt with liquid mothers. Then shine them up with a micro fiber cloth.

Can't or shouldn't be?

 

[gearheadboy]

Oh you CAN. Go ahead. After you sand the crap outta them with the steel wool and make them look like satin finish you can do it the right way. IT WILL SCRATCH THEM LIKE SAND PAPER.

 

[billison]

Got cha. I'll go put that crap away before I do something dumb.

 

[Onefine88]

Got cha. I'll go put that crap away before I do something dumb.

Good decision. Using 0000 wool is not a good idea.

 

[billison]

I'm just gonna sell them and start collecting 5 lug parts.

 

[hoopty5.0]

I have done it many times with 0000. Works great.

 

[David Pepiton]

I've used the steel wool and mothers mag and aluminum polish on several items from my exhaust tips on my fox to custom headers on my wifes car and on street bikes. 0000 is the most aggressive i would use unless rust exists.