Cleaning rims

[RebelDogg 10+ year member]

I know this is a stupid question, but I don't want to f this up, so:

How do I tell if my rims are chrome, magnesium, anodized, aluminum, or whatever? I guessed they were chrome, but I don't know what magnesium or anodized rims look like. I figure aluminum would be less shiny, but I've looked up pics online and I get pictures of shiny chrome-looking rims...

The reason I ask is that I bought some Meguires Hot Rims Chrome wheel cleaner and Mothers chrome polish to try to clean these rusty/nasty things up before I put them on my truck. But the label says NOT to use on Magnesium, anodized, etc...

Also, one thing that makes me think they're chromed is that on one rim the bullet cap had a section where the shiny (chrome) came off. Those caps are gone now and will be replaced with some much prettier (and definitely chrome) ones that I just got.

Here's a pic, if it helps:

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Click to read more...

 

[pcolasfinest 10+ year member]

try it on a little spot and see, but i'm pretty sure those are chrome.

 

[RebelDogg 10+ year member]

So what would the chrome polish do if it was, say, shiny aluminum? Would it just kind of stain it or something?

 

[pcolasfinest 10+ year member]

i have no clue, thats why i said try it in a spot that nobody could see, or a spot that really isn't noticable.

 

[RebelDogg 10+ year member]

bump.

Anyone know how to tell polished aluminum, etc... from chrome? I'll try the above suggestion, but I'd rather know before I break the seal on the cleaner I bought.

 

[Atimm693 10+ year member]

bump.
Anyone know how to tell polished aluminum, etc... from chrome? I'll try the above suggestion, but I'd rather know before I break the seal on the cleaner I bought.

My dad has aluminum wheels on his truck, whenever he takes them off there is corrosion in the bolt holes. Maybe that's just because he doesn't take care of them, but that's one way to tell.

 

[Alex965 10+ year member]

I am pretty sure that it is chrome. A magnet won't stick to a rim if it is aluminum....//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[RebelDogg 10+ year member]

I am pretty sure that it is chrome. A magnet won't stick to a rim if it is aluminum....//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

AH! Good point!

But then again, what if it's chrome plated aluminum? Is the chrome magnetic?