Wire wheels.

[overherebc]

Is there any kind of protective spray/sealer that can be applied to chrome wire wheels out there in LOS?

Or, do any of you motoring Gurus have a tried and tested system.?

[WarpSpeed]

Don't clear coat them, it'll yellow or peel and look worse in the end unless only a temporary result is all your looking for.

[overherebc]

At the moment that is the only option I've found but don't want to go that way. As you say goes yellow and flaky.

I'll keep digging and see if I can find something. Apart from weekly polishing.

[WarpSpeed]

Well what I'd do is spray them weekly with WD40 since the details are really impossible to get at with hand polishing and machine is out the question. Then once a week I'd clean off the WD40 and collected dirt with an effective degreaser of some sort and a PSI washer, dry and then recoat, not much more you can do IMO, far less work with a decent result and good protection then trying to polish them constantly.

[IMHO]

At the moment that is the only option I've found but don't want to go that way. As you say goes yellow and flaky.

I'll keep digging and see if I can find something. Apart from weekly polishing.

Why do they need weekly polishing? I mean, what surface defects are they getting every week that need to be fixed?

Also, what are you using to polish them? Good automotive chrome polish like the Meguiars NXT leaves a protection layer behind.

[WarpSpeed]

Yah but IMHO they're wire wheels what kind of polish can you even use? With spokes and the like details? Hours of fun for not such an outstanding result no matter the polish.

[overherebc]

Well what I'd do is spray them weekly with WD40 since the details are really impossible to get at with hand polishing and machine is out the question. Then once a week I'd clean off the WD40 and collected dirt with an effective degreaser of some sort and a PSI washer, dry and then recoat, not much more you can do IMO, far less work with a decent result and good protection then trying to polish them constantly.

Probably the way I will go. I can't see any problem with WD40 getting on the rubber etc as it appears to be harmful to nothing, based on some kind of fish oil ??

[WarpSpeed]

Nah it won't harm anything and will keep rust at bay too, though it would have some detrimental effects on other smaller rubber pieces like o-rings over a period of time tires are not an issue and often used to dress up the entire engine bay after cleaning, spray on hoses etc. and it cleans and shines, wipe off extra and just let the rest soak in for a nice, clean looking shine. Same with wire wheels, spray on and dab off the extra, do once a week, will be the easiest, best result.

Not so sure about the fish oil though that's new info to me, I do know the WD40 stands for "Water Displacement 40" which was the 40th formula of the testing that delivered the desired results for water but their formula is actually still a trade secret to my knowledge and made up of several different lubricants.

But there's this from the companies website regarding the fish oil rumor.

Myth: WD-40® contains fish oil. Fact: Consumers have told us for years that they've caught some of the biggest fish ever after protecting their fish hooks and lures with WD-40®. We believe this legend came from folks assuming the product must contain fish oil since it appears to attract fish. Sorry Charlie®, it just ain’t so.

[Alration]

Probably the way I will go. I can't see any problem with WD40 getting on the rubber etc as it appears to be harmful to nothing, based on some kind of fish oil ??

If the fish connection appeals to you put some nam plaa in a spray bottle and give the spokes a coat of it. Cheaper than WD40.

[IMHO]

Yah but IMHO they're wire wheels what kind of polish can you even use? With spokes and the like details? Hours of fun for not such an outstanding result no matter the polish.

Good point I guess. I've never owned such wheels, so haven't tried. I imagine the "polishing ball" attachment for my drill wouldn't get in too far...

[maxtwo]

I've had several cars with wire wheels and have always sprayed them with WD40 and never had any problems with rust.Just jet wash regularly and reapply.Once a month give them a good clean.

[overherebc]

That's the way I'll go. They are on splined hubs so I suppose it will mean checking inside the hubs regularly as well.

All I need confirmed is what side should be left hand thread. All the hubs are off during rebuild, two are LH and of course the other two are RH thread.

Direction of rotation I think!! should be the same as the tightening direction of the hexagonal centr nut. Or should it be opposite. My old MG was easy coz the centre nut had lugs and arrows to show direction. These centre nuts have no lugs just a big 4 inch centre hex 'tightener' with 4 big hammer hitters!!

When I say left or right side of car I'm talking about looking from boot to bonnet ( trunk to hood).

[maxtwo]

They undo opposite to direction to the wheel so to tighten on move.I was told not to lube spline then one day at road side it would not come off .So light lube spline with grease but non on tapped shoulder.To stop them rocking on the splines.

[maxtwo]

You also need on car balance.Tyre fitter will say they can but when you drive car you will see they can't .On modern balances the cones don't hold wheel on right surface.

[overherebc]

Lots of good advice from all

Thanks.