how to protect chrome wheels in winter?

i use chrome polish on my wheels at least every few weeks and recently we had snow here and they salted the roads...long story short the wheels already pitted some. they're only a few months old...wtf?

 

I suggest getting a winter set of wheels and tires that you don't have to worry about. They HAVE to look cool though...

 

I had some 18X9" chrome wheels on my ranger when I was a teenager. I worked so hard to buy them...so when winter came, I always took them off and stacked them up in my room. I kept my stock wheels for this. Salt is definitely the enemy! I diddint put them back on until spring had come and a few rains had cleared the roads of salt.

One trick I did use one time when I was caught in snow with the chrome on was to completely drench the rim in WD40. This helped to protect the chrome quite well. Just dont spray wD all over your caliper..... it burns off of the rotor pretty easily, but I would try and put a rag between the wheel and caliper if you ever use WD. its a good emergency spray for chrome.

 

Plastidip! Just peel it back off in the spring... Problem solved

 

X2. Probably your most cost effective solution.

 

You might get lucky and have the manufacturer replace them. Best bet is to have a set of winter wheels.

 

Just like any area of your vehicle, it can be ruined with neglect. The trick is to clean, clean, clean.
You can apply a coat of Wheel Wax (wheel specific, or use

$21 collinite 845 insulator wax-easy to use carnauba+polymer wax sealant-high gloss shine+durable hydrophobic beading & long lasting paint protection for cars/boats/trucks/rvs & motorcycles (16 fl oz)

collinite 845) to make washing them easier but you still need to wash the wheels often to remove salt and road grime. Unfortunately for those who live in areas that get hit w/ ice and snow the DPW trucks hammer the roads and make vehicle maintenance a pain in the ass.

 

Back in the days of "chrome reverse" wheels on hot rods, and spokes, we would mix in a spray bottle 50% "Future" floor wax and 50% warm water. You have to start with clean wheels, then mist the mixture all over the wheels. Use a piece of cardboard or cling wrap to cover the rotors if you want, but I found that hitting the breaks one good time, even if there was some wax on them will burn right off and wont affect the braking. (I know some of the techies will argue - but that is my story and I am sticking with it). Anyway, that way you also get all of your lug nuts and such waxed at the same time.

On my truck I have powder coated wheels, and they are a pain to wax, so I use this mixture on them and they repel water, brake dust and everything. Washing my wheels I have a soft brush about 4"x4" and I just hit them with the same car wash soap (I wash my wheels last), and I am good to go!

Good luck!