Wheels-Tires 2013 Gt Premium 19" Machined Aluminum With Black-painted Windows

BlueBeast14GT

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Sep 5, 2013

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St. Louis

Sep 5, 2013

#1

• Sep 5, 2013

• #1

I recently purchased a new 2013 GT, and I couldn't be happier! I'm doing everything I can to keep it looking nice while also maintaining the quality.

I have been using Meguiar's Hot Rims All-Wheel Cleaner until I found out my black rims are actually aluminum. I know the majority of the wheel is painted, but does anyone know if the metallic parts (the aluminum) are coated? Ford's official description for the wheels is "19" Machined Aluminum with Black-Painted Windows." I've attached a picture.

I've switched to something less harsh(Meg's Aluminum wheel cleaner) until I find out for sure if the aluminum parts are coated, but I really like the All-Wheel cleaner, so I would like to continue using it if I can. And no, All-Wheel doesn't actually mean all. It's too harsh for non-coated aluminum.

 

earleys94gt

Active Member

Aug 31, 2003

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Ashley, Ohio

Sep 6, 2013

#2

• Sep 6, 2013

• #2

They are clear coated. There shouldn't be any issues as long as you don't use a super strong cleaner, and put some wax/sealant on them.

 

BlueBeast14GT

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Sep 5, 2013

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St. Louis

Sep 6, 2013

#3

• Sep 6, 2013

• #3

That's good news. Thank you, earleys94gt!

In that case, I would like to switch to one of Meg's professional wheel cleaners. Which of these would you recommend for my wheels? Or would that still be too harsh?

1. Meguiars Non-Acid Wheel & Tire Cleaner D-14301
2. Meguiars D140 Wheel Brightener

 

earleys94gt

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Aug 31, 2003

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Ashley, Ohio

Sep 9, 2013

#4

• Sep 9, 2013

• #4

No problem BlueBeast13GT

I'd be leaning towards #1, since it is non-acid. If you are concerned about the cleaner being too harsh, you could simply dilute the cleaner with water.

 

BlueBeast14GT

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Sep 5, 2013

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St. Louis

Sep 9, 2013

#5

• Sep 9, 2013

• #5

earleys94gt said:

No problem BlueBeast13GT

I'd be leaning towards #1, since it is non-acid. If you are concerned about the cleaner being too harsh, you could simply dilute the cleaner with water.

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I did some research, called Meg's and the dealership, and I think the brightener will be fine. It's supposed to be diluted 4:1, but I could dilute it further; I hadn't thought of that, so thank you.

Unfortunately, after all this trouble I've been going through to keep my wheels perfect, worrying about things like brake dust and chemicals, I let my girlfriend drive it this weekend, and she curbed it in the McDonald's drive-thru. FordParts.com sells the wheel for $673 + a 50 charge for shipping or something. The dealership quoted me $845. For a single wheel. Insane. So I guess I'm gonna get it reconditioned for $143 at a trusted, local body-shop.

 

TheShabz

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Aug 4, 2012

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Los Angeles

Sep 19, 2013

#6

• Sep 19, 2013

• #6

Moral of the story: Nobody but you and your valet should ever drive your car.

 

BlueBeast14GT

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Sep 5, 2013

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St. Louis

Sep 19, 2013

#7

• Sep 19, 2013

• #7

TheShabz said:

Moral of the story: Nobody but you and your valet should ever drive your car.

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You've clearly never been a valet! I was a valet for a few short months, and the main thing I learned from that job is that if you value your car, and want to keep it in good condition, never valet it.

 

BlueBeast14GT

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Sep 5, 2013

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St. Louis

Sep 19, 2013

#8

• Sep 19, 2013

• #8

Also, the reconditioning actually looks perfect. I can't even tell a difference, except that the lines, that I assume are from machining the aluminum, are just slightly fainter on the reconditioned wheel. But no one but me would ever notice that.

 

TheShabz

Member

Aug 4, 2012

275

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Los Angeles

Sep 23, 2013

#9

• Sep 23, 2013

• #9

BlueBeast13GT said:

You've clearly never been a valet! I was a valet for a few short months, and the main thing I learned from that job is that if you value your car, and want to keep it in good condition, never valet it.

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While I've never been a valet, my brother has been one for a couple years now. At least in the LA area, valets take good care of the cars they get. They've wised up. The better you treat a nice car, the better your tip will be.