Fuchs question
 

I have been a bit confused about how to go about cleaning my Fuchs wheels. They have a slight whitish haze on the outer shiny metal portion that won't remove with basic cleaning. I read an article in Excellence that stated the wheels are pretty much shot when this occurs because the anodize finish on the wheels although hard is porous and will absorb chemicals and will stain. Some wheel cleaners will do this to them as I now understand.
Does anyone know how to get this haze out? I hear that waxing the rim regularly will help keep it mint (when it is initially mint) and that rubbing Vaseline on the center black portion is all thats neccessary. Are my rims shot or is there a remedy?

Thanks for anyones input!

Gost

Have you tried Simple Green? If that doesn't work, I would NOT try any other liquid cleaner as it my discolor or streak. Your only alternative may be to polish carefully and lightly by hand with Simichrome or like polish. Simichrome IS abrasive so go easy just until the haze is gone; too much and you will end up with a polished lip ...which you will then have to repeat on the rest of the rims and lips. Hope this helps. :)

Edward

The Vaseline is for the porous anodize finish. . . not the paint.

The idea being; the clear oil gets down in the anodize finish, keeping other dust & crap out. . . .and sliding off.

Edward, I will try that. All I can do at this point. The Excellence article said that the haze actually penetrates into the alloy itself and the only way to get rid of it is by sanding the finish and getting down into the surface of the alloy. Can't believe that's what has to happen if I want them mint. I will try the Simple Green and then the Simichrome.
Island, if you check your manual it actually states to put the vaseline on the painted black area and I also read the same in the Excellence article. Rub it in deeply leaving no residue.
We'll see!
Thanks for the input all!

Don't use SG (or Simichrome) on your Fuchs aluminum wheels. P21S was meant for them. They're expensive wheels and the slightly higher price of P21S is nothing compared to the cost of the wheels.

No Substitute, thanks for that. I just remembered that I did read that that stuff is the way to go. Somehow though I think I'm screwed. Haze has been there for years.
Thanks

Hi Gost,

Heck, if the haze has been there for years, it's THERE. Sounds like you're going to be doing a bit of polishing ...but if it's any consolation, think of how good they will look when you're done.
I would, indeed, use P21S over Simichrome. I've used Simi on other things, but never on Fuchs. P21S is the superior product ...just didn't think of it at the moment :)

Edward

I think Edward and you may be correct in assessing the haze as deeper than just a cleaning. Hope not though. Good Luck.

Hey Ed, I will get theP21S as only 2 rims have the haze and I will use the stuff exclusively from now on. Time to workout the forearms now.
Thanks again to all. I will post pics of the outcome....hopefully soon....if my arms don't fall off!

Or you can go for the low buck painted RSR look...see my thread on this topic. Low sheen silver for paddles and most of anodized rim.

Even Harvey Weidman participated in the discussion and endorses !!!

Wil

That is a nice look but I will stick with the stock appearance. Mint Fuch's look....MINT!
And it would be less expensive to stay stock. Thanks for mentioning the option!

Gost

Send the wheels to Al Reed and have him clear powder-coat them, you won't have to worry any more and they'll be very easy to clean, just rinse, wipe and dry...

Where/who is Al Reed? I'm sort of new to this site so I'm not up on the regulars and their talents. What's the approx cost of doing this?
Thanks for the info.

Al Reed are you out there? Newbies want polished Fuchs!
I too would like to see how much $ it would cost to have your services for my Fuchs.

gost,

<b>If you haven't used abrasives on the discolored Fuchs,yet, DON'T!!!</b> Unless you don't mind having a mismatched set, appearance-wise!

First, wash and clean all of the Fuchs with dishwashing soap and water. Dry off with flannel or soft polishing rags.

Apply a HEAVY coat of Vaseline to all of your Fuchs, the clear anodized part -- only. Leave it on overnight ... then, remove the excess, and polish it in with soft rags until the surface is dry to the touch. The appearance of the 'good' Fuchs will be a guide as to what you can expect. If there is improvement on the discolored Fuchs, but not quite there, yet ... apply another heavy coat to the discolored ones and leave it again overnight ... repeat the rubbing in, and evaluate your 'progress.' In spite of what has been said here already, neglected Fuchs can be saved, but it is an iterative and slow process!

The Vaseline treatment needs to be done every three months or so, minimum, to keep the pores in the anodized surfaces sealed and fresh-looking. It can take multiple treatments to return the finish to normal.

Al doesn't have time for the internet, he's too busy refinishing wheels. If you want to know how much, give him a call.

Al Reed Specialty Polishing
3010 E Coronado St # A
Anaheim, CA
(714) 632-3907

Without shipping involved, he usually charges about $75/wheel for a straight polish and paint, and $120/wheel if you want them re-anodized as well.

TT

Thanks Warren and Tom. I will be doing work on her this weekend and will try the Vaseline first. I should give Al a call and pick his brain as well. I'm on the east coast so the shipping would be cost prohibitive. I'll make due. Looked around for the P21S and so far no one has it. Any chains out there that carry it that anyone knows of?

Appreciated

Gordon