strat880

I just bought a 2017 Platinum and was going to swap to the 20" "Chrome like PVD" wheels similar to the King Ranch. I have a set of new take-offs, but in doing a search on f150forum, there is obviously a big durability problem with the PVD. Since they would not be original, I won't have any coverage if they begin to peel, so I guess I'm going to stick with what I have.
Lots of discussion on the PVD thread about harsh cleaners. Does anyone know if the Platinum aluminum wheels have clear coat or anything else? Or are they bare aluminum? I typically just use water or car wash soap to clean them, but want to make sure I don't screw them up.

Tvanpool

Ford does not market any bare aluminum wheels. They are either plated or clear coated.

strat880

Ok thanks. I figured they had to have something on them, but wasn't sure. I looked at the 2017 online brochure, and it just says polished aluminum.

magiaone

Not correct. They have plenty of polished wheels. Mustang has them.

Yes the platinum has polished non clear coat wheels. How do I know? I had to fine sand some curb rash from my wife and blended it into the rest of the wheel.

they are easy to keep clean but never use and abrasive or hard bristled brush as you will marr them.

AricsFX

iTrader: (3)

Just because you fine sanded them doesn't mean it's bare aluminum. Forged wheels like my forces? Yes there is no coat on them. Factory wheels would be a PIA if they weren't coated.

magiaone

I did not say they weren't treated. Just no clear coat. I am pretty sure they are annealed or heat treated but as for a coating there isn't one. Just polished.

strat880

Regardless of whether it's clear coated or just polished, it sounds like I'll be far better off long term than the PVD wheels. Guess they're going back on craigslist. Ugh.

UNBROKEN

iTrader: (1)

Easy enough to find out. Just hit a spot on one with some aluminum polish. If the rag turns really black really fast they're uncoated. If the rag just gets dirty...they're coated.

TMC4232

Just bought a set of "newish" OEM take-off 2017 Platinum wheels for my 2018 F150 XLT FX4 and these are definitely clear coated. Mine have some light surface scratches and swirls that really bug me. I tried several aluminum alloy mag wheel paste cleaners on them and they do NOT shine up, in fact there is no black residue on my polishing cloth to indicate alloy polishing. Taking them to a local wheel refinishing shop who will strip the clear-coating off and buff and polish the bare alloy to a mirror-bright almost chrome finish, then clear-coat to factory spec.