I have these rims Black RT-S (http://www.americanracing.com/wheels/details.asp?section=wheels&wheelid=177&name=RT-S%20Black&style=311&desc=1-piece%20painted/machined%20alloy)

http://www.americanracing.com/dealerline/blackimages/mega/m311.jpg

I was wondering what you guys would recommend to clean and polish the machined alloy? These rims are about 2.5 years old and are starting to get tiny rust spots. So i was hoping to get rid of those, polish and put a protectant on. I've heard some things for chrome such as dish detergent and vinegar, Coca-Cola and aluminum, etc. But don't want to mess em up.

Any help would be appreciated.

I put a picture of the wheel on there b/c AR's website was slow or something. Hope you don't mind

-Drew

Is the machined area clear coated? If not, a good non-caustic wheel cleaner such as Eagle1 A-Z wheel cleaner with a soft bristle brush. There isn't much area to polish so I would use Mothers Mag Polish or Wenol and a soft cloth.

Cleaning definitely depends on whether they are clear-coated or not. As for the rust, its unlikely that it is originating from the wheel as its an alloy, but instead from brake dust (steel from the rotor) that has accumulated over time.

Cleaning definitely depends on whether they are clear-coated or not. As for the rust, its unlikely that it is originating from the wheel as its an alloy, but instead from brake dust (steel from the rotor) that has accumulated over time.

They don't seem clear coated. They feel like it't the actual metal. But if they are clear coated brake dust nesting in the clear coat would be the culporate (sp?) of the rust spots. When I apprenticed at a body shop I was the guy with the clay and soap or whatever getting the brake residue off the vehicles that came in. That stuffs a pain in the a--. Think maybe getting some clay willg et rid of it?

I put a picture of the wheel on there b/c AR's website was slow or something. Hope you don't mind

-Drew

Not at all. Didn't even think of doing that. There site is pretty slow sometimes.

I found one seller that says "gloss back center and polished clear coated lip". so they probably are. I never really needed to know before, prob. why I guessed wrong. lol.