Ford F150 - polishing factory clear coat wheels

I just found this website a couple days ago, and have learned a lot o fnew things about my truck already! I have a '97 XLT Extended Cab 4x4 w/ a 4.6 (second owerr). its got over 103,000 miles on it and still runs great. Okay, I'll get to the point, it has a set of the 17" factory cast rims. It seems that the face of the rim is clear coated, but the openings in the wheels are not. Any suggestions on the best way to clean them? The one on the right rear,(behind the exhaust pipe)also has rust stains on it. Anybody else have this problem? Thanks.

Welcome aboard,

The only way to polish the factory wheels is to strip off the factory clear-coat first. If the right-rear wheel is discolored due to 103,000 miles of being blasted by the exhaust routing, maybe try a high-strength wheels cleaner like Orange Blast with a scrubby sponge? IMO, purchasing new wheels may be a better idea.

Hit up EBay for some factory wheels. They're darn cheap there

i think it's eagle one that makes an "etching wheel cleaner"
there isn't much that stuff wont strip off. not very good for the finish though.

Try washing the rims with simple green (and a nylon brush). This will loosen the dirt. Follow with a rim polish (Mother's Mag and Aluminum or Meguiar's metal polish). I cleaned the rims off the wifes 92 Crown Vic, and this way and it came out almost like new (couldn't do much with the pitting).

When i acetoned the badges just for shits and giggles i tried a little on the rim to see if it cleaned it. It actualy worked great and they looked brand new.. Dont know how good it is for the rim tho?