How to Help Chrome Rim Pitting

Chrome rims are the brightest rims on the automotive market. When they're clean, chrome rims shine with a mirror finish. The bad thing about chrome is that the surface is prone to pitting, or tiny spots of surface rust. The pits on a chrome rim can't be washed or polished away; the only way to help chrome rim pitting is to gently remove the pits and apply polish for a bright finish.

Things You'll Need

• 800-grit sandpaper
• 1200-grit sandpaper
• Water
• Chrome polish
• Cotton rag

Instructions

1. Use the 800-grit sandpaper to lightly sand the surface of the rims. Keep the sandpaper wet while sanding so the residue under the sandpaper is washed away before it can scratch the rims. The 800-grit paper doesn't cause deep scratches, only light surface scratches capable of removing the pits.

2. Sand the rims again using 1200-grit sandpaper and water. This removes the light scratches left by the 800-grit sandpaper and smooths the areas where the pits were. Rinse the rims when finished sanding and allow them to dry completely. The rims should look dull but smooth and free of pits.

3. Apply a moderate amount of chrome polish using a dry cotton cloth. Apply the polish according to its package instructions. Use a clean cotton cloth to buff the chrome wheels after polishing them to bring out the brightest shine possible.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't use sandpaper any more harsh than 800 grit or it will leave deep scratches that can't be removed.