Cleaning fuchs

clay1g · clay1g's Garage

I just bought a set of fuchs to replace the BBS's that came on my 87 coupe. The black finish on one of them is shinier than the other 3. Is there a way to polish the other to make them shiny, too? What kind of polish? Also the rims have some water spots I'd like to clean out. Any recommendations for cleaning the rims, too?
Thanks.
Clay
87 coupe

gr8fl4porsche · gr8fl4porsche's Garage

Many opinions on this matter - I use plain Vaseline - wipe on and buff off. Does not leave a greasy film like you might expect.
The water marks you mention may be oxidation and usually have to be polished out. Try the Vaseline and the spots may not be as noticeable. If you polish out the spots you will have to polish all the rims and the polished spot will now stand out.

Moses · 08-16-2002, 02:57 PM

The Vaseline is really intended as a finish coat or protectant. Brake dust comes off easily, and it repels water.

To get the rims their cleanest, there is nothing like Mothers wheel polish. Truly amazing product.

After cleaning with Mothers, I apply a thin coat of Vaseline and buff it lightly.

clay1g · clay1g's Garage

Would you use Vaseline on the shiny part and Mother's wheel polish on the black?
Clay
87 coupe

Early_S_Man · 08-16-2002, 03:16 PM

Clay,

Vaseline works fine anywhere on the Fuchs!

Don't use any abrasives on any visible bare aluminum part of the wheels! Doing so will DESTROY the anodized finish!

R22tech · R22tech's Garage

Clay- Vaseline......period! The worse they look, the longer you leave the vaseline on before wiping it off. First time: put a LIBERAL coat of vaseline on the ENTIRE WHEEL, leave on for a day, then wipe it off. You'll be amazed at the results.

Moses · 08-16-2002, 04:43 PM

Clay,

Mothers is entirely non-abrasive. When I got my '83 you would swear the wheels had not been cleaned in 18 years. Mothers on the silver part has restored them to LIKE NEW. Vaseline failed to do this heavy work.

Having said that, I now use vaseline on the entire wheel and reserve Mothers for the silver parts once a year or so. The outside edge of my Fuchs shine brighter that the Queens tea set.

SK · 08-16-2002, 06:17 PM

I just did this a few weeks ago. I used Blue Magic Liquid Metal Polish and a cotton towel. All of my wheels were dull black, and now they look like they have a fresh coat of gloss black. I am vey happy with the results, to a point where I had to spray the center caps to match the rims

I have washed the car a few times since and still look freshly painted. Hope this helps

MIK911 · 08-16-2002, 11:49 PM

Mother's on the rim

autobonrun · autobonrun's Garage

Rather than keep dealing with the difference in look, I would get pricing on repainting them all. I had mine resprayed in 1986 and they still shine with nothing but soap and water. I don't think the cost would be that expensive. At the time I did mine it was less than $75 per tire. Here's what they still look like after 16 years. They would look even better but I haven't washed them this week.

David Ceruti · 08-17-2002, 11:09 AM

Thanks for the advice about the vaseline - I had read about it in the owners manual but hadn't tried it because I had visions of it being a brake dust magnet

What will the vaseline do to the slightly matt finish on the black interior petals - I kind of like the matt look and wouldn't want to loose it?

glenndeweirdt · glenndeweirdt's Garage

I use vaseline as well on both the black and shiney part. Read it in owners manual and would not have believed it-it works!
I am going to try the Mothers Wheel polish. Sounds good.

clay1g · clay1g's Garage

Thanks for the advice on using Vaseline. I looked at my owner's manual and sure enough, it says use vaseline to clean the wheels. I bought some and applied it to all 4 wheels and will let it sit for a day before removing. Has anyone tried to remove the left over crap from wheel weights on the outter rims? I thought about using Goof Off but I'm not sure if that is a good idea on an alloy wheel.
Clay
87 coupe

Randy W · Randy W's Garage

If it's anodized, anything other than a product specifically designed for anodized wheels (or Vaseline) will destroy the finish. If it's abrasive or too acidic or alkaline it will mar or discolor the anodization. I would not use Mother's polish, Simple Green or Goof Off. I would use water first, then vaseline, then P21S if needed.

Shadetree930 · 08-18-2002, 09:55 AM

I am in the process of polishing up my wheels.

On this particular wheel, it looks like a liquid got onto the silver part and when I try to clean the wheel, it goes all bright and shiny.

Now the question is...which finish am I aiming for?

The dull silver or the Queens Tea set silver?

Moses · 08-18-2002, 10:13 AM

The dull silver looks old and dirty. The factory look is high gloss. Mothers is not abrasive and will NOT damage your rims. It is one of those rare products that gives truly amazing results.

I have black Fuchs. The contrast between the black centers and the super shiny rims is really nice and it draws comment all the time. I rarely spout off about a product, but this stuff is amazing. I've never heard of ANYONE who has actually used this product who wasn't impressed. I have also never heard of any wheel damage. It is a very soft white cream. Doesn't even irritate your hands, but it shines up Fuchs rims like you won't believe.

Shadetree930 · 08-18-2002, 10:25 AM

I am using Mother's as we speak. Just not sure of which finish is the anodized finish. The anodized aluminum I am familiar with was dull, but I really do like the bright 'chrome' look.

I just don't want to ruin a good set of Fuchs by over-polishing. Its kind of like those pieces of furniture you see on the Antiques Roadshow.

.......Now if your Uncle Moses had not refinished this old chest and had left the original finish on, this would be worth $200,000. But since he did repaint it, well....you could get $20 bucks on a good day at the auction.

Moses · 08-18-2002, 10:35 AM

Prials,

Fear not! I think you will love the look. It is really just restoring the factory showroom condition.

Let us know what you think when you are finished!

(What are you doing watching the antiques roadshow?)

Shadetree930 · 08-18-2002, 10:45 AM

I am hand-rubbing the Mother's in. In their present condition, I will be older than Moses by the time I get them to the Showroom look. Are there any helpful hints from the driveway Heloise's out there to make this process go any faster?

weber92037 · weber92037's Garage

I have used Mother's with good results. I will try the vasoline.