Armor All Wheel Protectant is the real deal

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imported_Aurora40

New member
This is an aerosol product, was $8.50 from the local parts place. It's like 8oz, and I used about half of it coating my wheels. I wouldn't use it on a regular basis I don't think, due to price. But on a car you only drive when it's nice, the wheels often get dirty well before the car, so maybe then it would be a good choice.



However, I just wanted to testify to how it works. I sprayed this on my wheels on my CTS-V before my very first track day on Friday (V-day at Summit Point, WV). I was absolutely floored by how clean the wheels are.



The V gets pretty dusty from daily driving, the stock pads are much dustier than typical GM OEM stuff.



Anyway, after 5 sessions, more than a tank of gas used, about 50% front pad life worn away, brake heat so intense that the silver calipers turned gold, the wheels were absolutely dust-free. It was amazing:



gold_brakes.jpg




I applied it to the wheels when they were off the car to bleed the brakes, but the spray was pretty easy to control. Would be easy to apply on the car I think.



So the product delivers on the promise big-time.
 
Yep, the stuff works great. Its on sale frequently so its not that pricey and once you get the hang of it, a little really goes a long way. I can get four cars done with one can, but I usually just end up using it on the front wheels. Then I got Akebono pads and the stuff has been sitting on the shelf.
 
tssdetailing said:
wow, thats a hell of a testiment-so that photo is after your track runs, but before you've washed it?
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Yes, that was actually after two sessions of the 5, I was amazed at the caliper color change and took a photo. But they look just like that now as well, and I have not washed the car nor touched the wheels.



I was astonished at how well the product worked.
 
Here's the wheels now, after the whole event, no washing, no rain, etc. You can also see the rust that formed on the front rotors, presumably from the heat? They didn't look like that on Thursday. They looked more like the rears where it has just a touch of light surface rust in places.



Front:



front.jpg




Rear:



rear.jpg




The tire sidewalls are a lot dirtier because in the 4th session I went into the gravel when the engine starved for fuel and stalled. I showed up with a full tank and didn't even think about it, there were so many other things going on.
 
I think this gets the Best OTC Product of the Year award for 2011. I'm sure it's a godsend for infamous German brake pad dust as well. Sounds like one can happily get by without or until changing to low dust pads.
 
I like this stuff and use it often. On chrome it tends to haze a little but just take mf and wipe it down. Great stuff
 
It's remarkable how much color change the heat caused on your front calipers. Did you have any smoke from the brakes?
 
I put this on the inside of my wheels of my '07 MDX when I took them off for a full cleaning. It has been over a month and they're still very clean. However, your CTS-V is more of a testament to the quality of this product than my daily driver :)
 
yakky said:
Yep, the stuff works great. Its on sale frequently so its not that pricey and once you get the hang of it, a little really goes a long way. I can get four cars done with one can, but I usually just end up using it on the front wheels. Then I got Akebono pads and the stuff has been sitting on the shelf.
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I have two BMW's that the brake dust crazy. One day of driving and the wheels are dirty. I tried the AA stuff and it works great but still a pain. 1. How good are the Akebono pads at preventing dust and 2. How well do thy stop. and 3. Do you notice any fade
 
TedFred said:
I have two BMW's that the brake dust crazy. One day of driving and the wheels are dirty. I tried the AA stuff and it works great but still a pain. 1. How good are the Akebono pads at preventing dust and 2. How well do thy stop. and 3. Do you notice any fade
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Ted, unless you are going to change pads, the AA stuff is a pretty decent alternative.



I installed Akebono on the front of one of our cars about a year ago. They are very clean, cleaner than any other lo-dusting pad I've used. I think the initial bite is slightly less, cold performance is still very good. I can't really comment on "fadiing", per se. I can't imagine it being a problem. Pads are very quiet* and seem to be easy on the rotors. Many mfrs are switching over to them. My new Audi has them and they are even more dust-free than the Akebonos :)



Centric is another ceramic brand I've noticed that is quite popular with the Euro sport sedan crowd. I think there are a lot of choices out there.



*the wife made me remove fresh OE pads that had just been installed...they were crazy-noisy. That's the primary reason I switched over to the Akebono Euros.
 
Might have to pick some up to try on a regulars Range Rover, his wheels are absolutely trashed after one week because of the brake dust.
 
Scott, the stuff works pretty good. I just don't like the appearance after it's been in the rain. It's somewhat pricey, too. A small can is $7 at Walmart.
 
Scott I agree with Tom the AA works great... by far the best out there. I don't think that anyone likes the Eagle one Keep Clean becasue of the milky look afterward. No matter what happens I am going with the Akebonnos. A hour a week cleaning wheels for both cars is not how I want to spend my life
 
used it and still have it. It most definitely works, I used it on my MS3 and the wheels stayed clean for a very long time. I'm keeping FK1000 on my wheels right now because it's much cheaper to use, but I would use the AA much more often if it was cheaper.
 
Too bad this is a case of you get what you pay for :( AA product that's boutique product priced. Maybe others, including our usual favorite brands, will develop and meet or even exceed its effectiveness.
 
Guitarist302008 said:
.. I'm keeping FK1000 on my wheels right now because it's much cheaper to use, but I would use the AA much more often if it was cheaper.
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Wonder how the AA would work over the FK1000P :think:



Hmmm...I also wonder how it'd work over the OptiCoat I used on the Tahoe's wheels.
 
Bill D said:
Too bad this is a case of you get what you pay for :( AA product that's boutique product priced. Maybe others, including our usual favorite brands, will develop and meet or even exceed its effectiveness.
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I'm very surprised there hasn't been an equivalent competitor for this out there, seeing as how the demand for this type of product seems to be exceedingly high.
 
SpoolinNoMore said:
I'm very surprised there hasn't been an equivalent competitor for this out there, seeing as how the demand for this type of product seems to be exceedingly high.
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Yes, and probably mostly from non Autopian vehicle owners who just want a nice,clean car. They want to drop by their auto parts store or Walmart or Target and pick it up. This kind of product should have a similar amount of choices that there are in the wheel cleaner and tire dressing categories. Maybe across the next seasons more competitors will come out, and maybe at better price points?
 
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