Help with my Wheels!

I just bought a 91 Accord. The original wheels had some serious brake dust build up, so right before I washed it I sprayed some Armor All wheel Cleaner. Now the wheels look streaked and stained. I think it might be the wheel cleaner. What should I do?

Was your wheels are hubcaps or actual metal wheel? If its the plastic hubcaps, I'm sure the cleaning agent would destory the coatings.

Well if it was plastic hubcaps, they are probably permenantly marked from the acid in the cleaner...if regular metal wheels...it is possible to destroy them with wheel acid if left on too long. If this is the case, you best bet is to find a local autoparts store, and find a MILD rubbing compound (like what you would buff your car with). Put a little bit on the stains and rub hard with a towel. Keep repeating. I ruined a set of wheels once, and with a ton of elbow grease and about 15 mins per wheel, I was able to bring them back to near perfect.

Well if it was plastic hubcaps, they are probably permenantly marked from the acid in the cleaner...if regular metal wheels...it is possible to destroy them with wheel acid if left on too long. If this is the case, you best bet is to find a local autoparts store, and find a MILD rubbing compound (like what you would buff your car with). Put a little bit on the stains and rub hard with a towel. Keep repeating. I ruined a set of wheels once, and with a ton of elbow grease and about 15 mins per wheel, I was able to bring them back to near perfect.

They are the original EX Alloy wheels. I bought this metal polisher and I'm going to try it on the edge of one of the wheels. What do you think?

When you say polisher, do you mean a device, or a liquid product of some sort? It may work, it may not...does it list car rims or alloy under its uses. In theory it should work, but use it lightly and in an inconspicuous place first. As you learned, with any decent cleaning product, there is the possibility of doing more damage if used incorrectly.

Oh and for future reference. Under the 'Cars in General' section of AF at the main menu, there is a 'detailing' sub-forum. There are a few really knowledgable people in there that have decades of experience with many many products and techniques...if you ever have further questions regarding anything used to clean any part of your car, ask in there and they will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

Someone told me that it is probably the clear coat on the wheels that got stained. They said I should handle it as if it where a light scratch on the paint. Since I've had that problem before I know to use a 2000 sandpaper and lightly sand it, being careful not to go way down. Would this also work on my wheels? How thick is the clear on the wheels? Also does anyone know if the center cap would be sandable, it seems made of metal but on the inside it has plastic? Thanks again.