The bad center stain feels the same, perfectly smooth. The over spray stains on the outside rim have a slightly pitted feel.

 

The Simple Green doesn't damage your wheels? For almost two years, I used Simple Green on the tires only (Not the wheels) to get rid of sidewall grime. I'd spray on the black rubber, scrub in, then thoroughly rinse both tire and wheel leaving no residue. Then, the edges of all four of my factory 17-inch machined aluminum rims got that chapped, leprosy look which no wheel cleaner or polisher I tried could eliminate. I had to have all four wheels refinished at over $400.00!

How'd you keep this from happening with your own ride?

 

I've never had a problem with Simple Green (or EagleOne Aluminum Mag Cleaner) on my wheels. I switched to Simple Green as 90% of the time, it does what I need without fail and is environmentally friendly (where I'm not so sure how friendly the EagleOne product is).

The problem you mentioned on the edges of your wheels is probably the clear coat separating from the wheel. Usually when you get new tires, the tire companies put wheel weights that clip to the outside of the rim. This normally is where I've seen issues begin with the clear coat. Once the clear coat starts to mess up, nothing can be done other then strip the clear off the rim and then re-clear the rim.

 

i dont think simple green is strong enough to stain wheels unless they are bare aluminum

 

To me, it looks as if the clear oat was breached by the chemicals in the "fix a flat" some of the chemicals will eat the clearcoat on some wheels depending on what type was used from the factory. I believe GM has changed the method and compound that they used 10-15 years ago. I'll find the article." Mjc...