dish soap, "dial" is what i use...
rags
bucket for water (cut a milk jug in half to be lazy and cheap)
http://www.mothers.com/02_products/05100-05101.html
http://www.mothers.com/02_products/05140.html
and various sand papers as needed
and a sponge
a pack(5) of microfiber towels
and
http://www.rainx.com/Products/Waxes/Fast_Wax.aspx
it's easy.. step one CLEAN
step two take a gallon of water and start sanding.. depending on the finish of the wheel
(like brushed/textured aluminum SUCKS i never do it cause i dont have the patience)
but like polished aluminum or previously polished steel
start with 400g (if corrosion is present or if you have "dings")
or 800g if surface pitting, light rust, Fair wear and tear etc
then when you feel comfortable with a SMOOTH TO FINGER TOUCH (now sebring you'll learn this one) run your fingers completely around the rim without lubrication and "feel" for the texture differences.... serisously.... really i swear..
(dirty joke removed for Board decency)
then upgrade to the 1200 grit
NOW REMEMBER!!!!!!!!!!!
never you NEVER have to "push hard" when into the 1000's for sanding paper... it will "burn" and marr the surface..
if you want to take it easy and save your wrists.. wrap the paper around a dish sponge... seriously..
now.. for a suuuuuuuper smooth finish.. sometimes you can use wd-40.. but you better be ready to wash the hell out of that rim with dish soap anda microfiber..
ok.. last two steps
get the "mothers wheel/rim polishing ball" FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS ON POLISH
dont leave residue polish on surface.. it will suck to remove when you find it next week...
now start off with medium pressure... and keep it nice and even.. then move slowly to light pressure until you start being able to count your own boogers in the surface of the rim
now wash and rinse again..
get your super fancy microfiber towels and that same wax you used with the wheel ball.. LIGHTLY very lightly start blending the wax in.. remember.. if you do one section do ALL the duplicate sections with the exact same waxing motion...
(EX: centers done with the swirl ((wax on wax off style)) all centers need to be done with the swirl, you do the "lip" with long straigt, all lips done with long straight....)
now once all the polishing is done.. you can do the same steps over and over and over again until your date get pissed and walks away cause you are peeking up her skirt with it.. (ohh.. bad)
NOW.. last step..
get the rain-x water repellent wax, spray it on nd buff it off with a FRESH microfiber cloth..