Looking for products to protect my wheels

[someidiot]

I`m running the "traditional" CQuartz coating on my summer wheels and after two seasons the coating is still holding strong despite the environment wheels face and frequent washes with a mild wheel cleaner. I too don`t think I`ll ever go without coating my wheels again. Clean up is so much easier.

which cleaner do you use?

I only got a few months of duration with McKee`s, but I use the Meguiar`s non-acid wheel & tire cleaner.. wonder if that was the issue.

 

[Desertnate]

which cleaner do you use?

I only got a few months of duration with McKee`s, but I use the Meguiar`s non-acid wheel & tire cleaner.. wonder if that was the issue.

It could be. I`ve been using the mild (i.e. green) Griots wheel cleaner. I just used the new Poorboys Non-Acid wheel cleaner for the first time and it didn`t seem to degrade the coating either. We`ll see how it goes, but I`ll probably be taking these wheels off for the season in 4~6 weeks.

 

[The Guz]

I would just use Hydro2 every other wash, much easier and stronger than wax. Wheel coatings are nice but take way to much time and probably need more refreshing than what they advertise.

The issue I have found when using it this often is the wheels seem to attract more dirt. I would probably use them every couple months or when the beading looks like it is starting to go.

I`d never go without a wheel coating again. Single biggest time saver for me during a wash. Does take a bit of time to prep/coat wheels but once done, ease of maintenance far exceeds initial labor. 14 months, 24k miles in NE Ohio and coating is still holding up well. Recently started occasional application of PA SuperSport, more for the interesting look it lends to the non-painted, clear-coated bare aluminum sections of wheel as opposed to protection.

I definitely agree. A lot of work up front but less work in the long run.

That`s my problem with these wheel coatings, I`m using a dedicated wheel cleaner. I`m not spending more time to scrub than I have to, it really makes no sense to coat wheels other than maybe looks or if you have carbon ceramics (Your just using soap an water only anyways).

Coat wheels = you ca`t use a dedicated wheel cleaner like sonax which cuts time an thus more scrubbing is required.
No coat = less scrubbing, more effective wheel cleaner (Potentially more expensive though) an use hydro2 or another water based sealant.

A wheel cleaner can be used with a coating. As long as it isn`t that harsh of a wheel cleaner than can damage any LSP.

I understand you shouldn`t *need* to use a dedicated wheel cleaner on a coated wheel but I`d hope a wheel coating would be chemically resistant enough to stand up to any autopian-grade wheel cleaner you`d throw at it. Think after a long winter and you want a little chemical help bringing them back to life. Though if shampoo + wheel woolies is enough to revive a filthy but coated wheel then I might be sold...

Most wheel coatings can handle a wheel coating. I use one very now and then and on occasion will decon the wheels.

Off topic - I am in the process of speaking with the IGL folks about becoming an authorized installer.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

I`m running the "traditional" CQuartz coating on my summer wheels and after two seasons the coating is still holding strong despite the environment wheels face and frequent washes with a mild wheel cleaner. I too don`t think I`ll ever go without coating my wheels again. Clean up is so much easier.

Nice. Paint coatings work just as well as a dedicated wheel coating.

 

[PPLd]

Dear all,

Sorry work has been busy so I couldnt login and reply sooner.
Actually I didnt expect so many feedback! Thank you for your kind responses.
Guess I cant be making individual replies so grouping them here:

Any wheel coating will work to give you that longer protection. Factory wheels are clear coated. You will have to find out if those enkei`s are clear coated or not.

The Guz,
Thank you very much and yes I am very concerned about whether the presence of clear coat affect which coating I should use?

McKees Wheel Coating....you may thank me later

briarpatch,
Why not thank you now eh? Thanks for the tips.

I would just use Hydro2 every other wash, much easier and stronger than wax. Wheel coatings are nice but take way to much time and probably need more refreshing than what they advertise.

The Driver
I do not have Hydro2, hmm is it as good as a coating? I saw a few members recommended it before.

I used McKee`s wheel coating and then would touch it up with Hydro Blue every once in a while. I`m not sure if there is a more durable option out there than McKee`s, but it sure was a lot of work for not a very long duration.

someidiot,
McKees doesnt sound very durable in your experience.
Does McKees help the wheels to clean easier (protection properties)?

I like to use Gyeon Wet Coat or CarPro Hydro2 which are spray on/ rinse off protection products. They should work on all types of rim finishes. I have used them on clear coated, powder coated, chrome plated etc. without any issue.

If I am doing a full wheels off cleaning and coating then I will coat with something like Gyeon Rim or Cquartz Dlux then maintain with Gyeon WetCoat or CarPro Hydro2 every month.

Polish Angel Super Sport is also a nice option for a wheel coating and is in between a full on wheel coating and a spray/rinse product. I have seen 4 months or so of durability before it started to fade on my DD from my testing and that was without any maintenance spray or reapplication. Depending on how much you drive your car you could get the full 6 months or more. this is a PTFE based product too with titanium dioxide and just adds a nice look to wheels as well.

If you are going to do a wheels off and going through the process of cleaning and prepping the wheels as mentioned then definitely look into a specific wheel coating as mentioned. Top up with something like PA Super Sport every few months. You should have great results.

RaydiantDetail,
I wasnt expecting to maintain every month if I already spend money on coating my wheels.
It seems to get rather costly in long run than wiping down with a spray sealant.

I`d never go without a wheel coating again. Single biggest time saver for me during a wash. Does take a bit of time to prep/coat wheels but once done, ease of maintenance far exceeds initial labor. 14 months, 24k miles in NE Ohio and coating is still holding up well. Recently started occasional application of PA SuperSport, more for the interesting look it lends to the non-painted, clear-coated bare aluminum sections of wheel as opposed to protection.

BudgetPlan1,
I actually dislike doing my wheels because after 1 day driving German brake dust cause me headache!

I’ve only coated wheels a few times, so just making sure I prepped correctly. I used wheel cleaner, finishing polish, then 3 quick wipe downs with Prep Spray then coated. The other set so only cleaned and used Prep polish and coated. Wasn’t too, too bad. Are these the only steps?

acuRAS82,
Thanks for the step by step procedure.

Go with McKees Wheel Coating. You should get 1 year of durability. Just wash with soap and water, no wheel cleaners.

That`s my problem with these wheel coatings, I`m using a dedicated wheel cleaner. I`m not spending more time to scrub than I have to, it really makes no sense to coat wheels other than maybe looks or if you have carbon ceramics (Your just using soap an water only anyways).

Coat wheels = you ca`t use a dedicated wheel cleaner like sonax which cuts time an thus more scrubbing is required.
No coat = less scrubbing, more effective wheel cleaner (Potentially more expensive though) an use hydro2 or another water based sealant.

The purpose of the wheel coating is that you dont have to spend time scrubbing or using powerful wheel cleaners. However most of these wheel cleaning products like sonax wheel cleaner plus are Ph neutral so they aren`t really going to cause any issue if you want to continue to use them on coated wheels though with mine soap and water and a pressure washer often gets them pretty clean without any scrubbing on the faces. Usually the barrels just need a quick wheel woolie scrub.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Amen. With coated wheels you save money by NOT having to use an expensive wheel cleaner. Most of the time my pressure washer get the wheels clean without scrubbing and I’ve got BMW brake dust.

IGL wheel coating works wonders and if you feel the need to use a wheel cleaner Mckees foaming wheel cleaner gel is safe on that coating. But I have found that with regular maintenance on coated wheels the need for a strong cleaner isn`t really necessary.

I understand you shouldn`t *need* to use a dedicated wheel cleaner on a coated wheel but I`d hope a wheel coating would be chemically resistant enough to stand up to any autopian-grade wheel cleaner you`d throw at it. Think after a long winter and you want a little chemical help bringing them back to life. Though if shampoo + wheel woolies is enough to revive a filthy but coated wheel then I might be sold...

Oh yeah me too. BMW brake dust. Its some of the worst!
When I swicth out my pads ill probably get some EBC pads.

Woohohoho Soap and water for clean wheels? Music to my ears!
Hopefully I can get my wheels reasonably clean with diluted wheel cleaner / less scrubbing!
Btw I had run some aftermarket pads on my previous car.
They really help reduce the brake dust!

 

[someidiot]

someidiot,
McKees doesnt sound very durable in your experience.
Does McKees help the wheels to clean easier (protection properties)?

When it was on there, it did help. I actually made a post about how my new go-to regimen was wheel coating/HydroBlue and Meg`s non-acid wheel & tire cleaner. I could usually clean the wheel with just my pressure washer. but the coating seems to be gone and now it`s like a plain old wheel, requiring product and scrubbing.

I may give it a shot again, maybe with a different product and stop using the wheel cleaner.

 

[briarpatch]

Go with McKees Wheel Coating. You should get 1 year of durability. Just wash with soap and water, no wheel cleaners.

^^^^^^this

 

[Accumulator]

I`m utterly astounded that so many people need to use Wheel Cleaners *with coatings*! My "problematic German cars" don`t need Wheel Cleaners and I just do their wheels with conventional LSPs. Ditto for recoating wheels annually.

Heh heh, this thread`s almost enough to convince me to *not* coat wheels any more!

 

[Desertnate]

I`m utterly astounded that so many people need to use Wheel Cleaners *with coatings*! My "problematic German cars" don`t need Wheel Cleaners and I just do their wheels with conventional LSPs. Ditto for recoating wheels annually.

Heh heh, this thread`s almost enough to convince me to *not* coat wheels any more!

Honestly, I probably don`t need to and could get away with simply using my normal wash solution. It`s mostly out of habit. I`d be golden if I owned a power washer as that would probably be all I needed to keep the coated wheels clean 90% of the time.

For me, I`m too lazy to mix up two buckets of wash solution and dirty both of my wash mitts at the same time. I find it just as easy to rinse, spray on the cleaner, run a brush over everything, and rinse again.

 

[Accumulator]

Honestly, I probably don`t need to and could get away with simply using my normal wash solution. It`s mostly out of habit. I`d be golden if I owned a power washer as that would probably be all I needed to keep the coated wheels clean 90% of the time...

Much as I do love my (ultra-cheapie) pressure washer, it only does the first part of the job, whether the wheels are coated or not. FWIW, I use the same spray bottle of (pretty potent) shampoo mix for the wheels that I need for the wells/etc. anyhow, just leave it hanging off the Wheels/Wells wash bucket.

For me, I`m too lazy to mix up two buckets of wash solution and dirty both of my wash mitts at the same time. I find it just as easy to rinse, spray on the cleaner, run a brush over everything, and rinse again.

Try it with the Shampoo Mix and you might find you don`t need the Wheel Cleaner (or, you might find that I`m all off-base!). No need to mix it up when it`s in the spray bottle Well...you do have to mix *that* up now and then.

Don`t you use dedicated mitts/BHBs/etc. for the Wheels/etc.? I have maybe four or five different Wash Media for those areas (and yeah..another batch of stuff in another bucket setup for the undercarriage proper) that I just keep with the Wash/Rinse buckets that`re dedicated to those areas.

Heh heh, yeah...I guess I have a scad of different Wash/Rinse bucket setups All part of making the process go quicker/easier/smoother. Just having redundant systems for each side of the wash bay makes a huge difference for me...but as always that`s just me and I might be a little, uhm...different.

AND...this has me thinking (off-topic ) about the "mixing up wash solution". My Wash buckets, even the ones for the Wheels, don`t really get contaminated so I can use the same one repeatedly, sometimes adding a bit more shampoo if I think it`s become watered down. I do change the Undercarriage bucket, but it`s not part of a TBM (and I don`t use the foamgun under the car) so it gets contaminated.

 

[acuRAS82]

I`m utterly astounded that so many people need to use Wheel Cleaners *with coatings*! My "problematic German cars" don`t need Wheel Cleaners and I just do their wheels with conventional LSPs. Ditto for recoating wheels annually.

Heh heh, this thread`s almost enough to convince me to *not* coat wheels any more!

For wheels protected with either Hydro Blue for 4-8 weeks or PBL wheel coating, I only use soap and water (if doing a traditional car wash that day) or waterless wash to remove any and all brake dust. Its a breeze. I only use the chemical wheel cleaners if I’m prepping for a new wheel coating... not so much because they need it, more so for piece of mind and decon just in case.

 

[Accumulator]

acuRAS82- Yeah, that`s exactly how I`d expect it to go. When I coat/LSP mine, I usually use something like a Polish or at least an AIO (if LSPing), but the Wheel Cleaner would be great if they didn`t need that.

 

[DetailZeus]

Try it with the Shampoo Mix and you might find you don`t need the Wheel Cleaner (or, you might find that I`m all off-base!). No need to mix it up when it`s in the spray bottle Well...you do have to mix *that* up now and then.

Remind the strength of the shampoo mix these days? How many oz/gal?

 

[DetailZeus]

I`m utterly astounded that so many people need to use Wheel Cleaners *with coatings*! My "problematic German cars" don`t need Wheel Cleaners and I just do their wheels with conventional LSPs. Ditto for recoating wheels annually.

Heh heh, this thread`s almost enough to convince me to *not* coat wheels any more!

I`ve always wondered how well it would work just to use a dedicated wheel cleaner all year on an unprotected wheel. I figure that`s really what they`re designed for and how the average consumer uses them. Yeah maybe a bit pricey but so are these coatings.

I will say if I`m gonna go through the effort of pulling & cleaning the wheel then yeah, I`m gonna put something on there.

I`ve just been using flavor-of-the week spray sealants on the wheel faces every few washes. They clean up just fine sprayed with some poorboy`s APC at 1:15 and washed with a bucket of soapy water. Probably don`t even need the APC but it`s already there for the tires and wells. The barrels are getting kinda dingy but they`re unprotected and getting in there is pretty awkward.

 

[Accumulator]

I`ve always wondered how well it would work just to use a dedicated wheel cleaner all year on an unprotected wheel. I figure that`s really what they`re designed for and how the average consumer uses them. Yeah maybe a bit pricey but so are these coatings...

I did that for ages (decades) and it worked just fine as long as the brake dust/etc. wasn`t left on too long between cleanings and the wheels did *not* have a compromised finish.

I`m still doing it this way on the Tahoe`s winter wheels.

I will say if I`m gonna go through the effort of pulling & cleaning the wheel then yeah, I`m gonna put something on there.

Eh, I do that anyhow whether I`m LSP/Coating them or not, even though (the `93 Audi`s BBS wheels excepted) I clean the back sides meticulously at every wash. There`s just no way I can keep everything in those areas the way I want them without pulling the wheels now and then, at least annually (even on cars that aren`t driven in the winter). E.g., there`s always some area of the calipers I can`t get to with the wheels on.

I`ve just been using flavor-of-the week spray sealants on the wheel faces every few washes. They clean up just fine sprayed with some poorboy`s APC at 1:15 and washed with a bucket of soapy water. Probably don`t even need the APC but it`s already there for the tires and wells. The barrels are getting kinda dingy but they`re unprotected and getting in there is pretty awkward.

Surprised you need the APC for the wells...I simply don`t use it that way on my vehicles as the shampoo mix works fine for everything except the tires (and I usually use a Rubber Cleaner on those). Even winter-dirty undercarriages...I just never need an APC.

Yeah, doing some barrels *is* awkward! Having the vehicle jacked up (both sides if it has a LSD) makes it a whole lot easier, and even on the `93 I can then access the barrels from the back side/underneath (simply can`t access the back of the spokes without dismounting them though ). Once they`re polished smooth and well-LSPed/coated it`s very easy to keep them nice and clean and I find that I only need to do a truly Autopian job on most wheels annually.

Eh, I`m gonna do the calipers anyhow...often do the wheels/tires/brakes in-between washes so they`re never too bad.

If you`re OK with the barrels getting/being dirty then that`s OK! Don`t let the Curse of Autopia prod you into doing stuff you don`t care about or want to do

Remind the strength of the shampoo mix these days? How many oz/gal?

About 3.5oz. each of Griot`s Car Wash and 3D Pink Car Soap + enough water to make a gallon of concentrate (about 121oz.).

Sometimes I just mix up my wheel/wells/etc. shampoo by eye,especially when using up old shampoos. I`m currently on my final gallon of M62...no idea what the actual strength I`m using is, don`t think it really matters all that much. I aim for a guesstimated ~1.75oz. in my roughly 32oz. spray bottle.

 

[DetailZeus]

Surprised you need the APC for the wells...I simply don`t use it that way on my vehicles as the shampoo mix works fine for everything except the tires (and I usually use a Rubber Cleaner on those). Even winter-dirty undercarriages...I just never need an APC.

Interesting I guess I just figured everyone used an APC on wells (and tires that aren`t coated) and never thought otherwise. There`s no dressing so I`m not worried about longevity. I`m pretty sure my fender brush is doing the real cleaning work anyway (it`s noticeable when I miss a spot). It`s not a very strong mix anyways, maybe I`ll save a few cents and see if there`s is any difference without.

If you`re OK with the barrels getting/being dirty then that`s OK! Don`t let the Curse of Autopia prod you into doing stuff you don`t care about or want to do

Naw I`m a stickler for barrels. Maybe they don`t need to be perfect (for now) but I`m gonna get what I can with a wheel woolie. It how I separate myself from the masses

About 3.5oz. each of Griot`s Car Wash and 3D Pink Car Soap + enough water to make a gallon of concentrate (about 121oz.).

Got it, thanks!

 

[Accumulator]

DetailZeus- If you do one really thorough cleanup of the wells/etc. it can help you get by with just the shampoo; the better you do `em the easier they are to keep nice. Even just using a SprayWax for your Drying Aid can make a diff with how they`ll clean up next time. I was surprised what a diff just a quickie polishing made; it smoothed the surface enough that it doesn`t retain dirt the way it used to (works great in doorjambs too, where the paintjob is often of so-so quality).

Those WheelWoolies really surprised me, in a good way. I still have to get in there with a little mitt/etc. but I need to do that for the back of the spokes anyhow. Their BHB for wheels (also to my pleasant surprise...well, I guess it was "pleasant"..) is *MUCH* better than my other ones too. Somebody here had compared BHBs for Wheels and I tried the WW ones based on his take...he was absolutely correct.

When I use my Foamgun Concentrate for this, I`m usually using up some leftover so I can mix up a fresh/full gallon. Otherwise I do the by-eye mix with my old stuff. Eventually I plan to try some cheap-but-OK shampoo for this, maybe Meguiar`s HyperWash. Gotta admit that 7oz/ of GG/3D is kinda pricey for wheelwells and undercarriages! But it gets things clean without *completely* stripping whatever LSP I have on there the way an APC would.

 

[DetailZeus]

DetailZeus- If you do one really thorough cleanup of the wells/etc. it can help you get by with just the shampoo; the better you do `em the easier they are to keep nice. Even just using a SprayWax for your Drying Aid can make a diff with how they`ll clean up next time. I was surprised what a diff just a quickie polishing made; it smoothed the surface enough that it doesn`t retain dirt the way it used to (works great in doorjambs too, where the paintjob is often of so-so quality).

Never even crossed my mind to spraywax wheel wells, nice suggestion. I`ve got plenty of spray lsp stuff sitting around, i`ll give it a shot. You use 845 on your plastics IIRC? What kind of durability do you see? Not planning on buying some, just curious.

 

[Accumulator]

Never even crossed my mind to spraywax wheel wells, nice suggestion. I`ve got plenty of spray lsp stuff sitting around, i`ll give it a shot.

It`s great that such stuff works fine on both plastics and paint..no need to be careful about it, just do what`s reasonable and see if you think it was worth it (and if the answer is "no" then ignore all my talk about it ).

You use 845 on your plastics IIRC? What kind of durability do you see? Not planning on buying some, just curious.

Eh, the areas I use it on now don`t take much abuse so it lasts almost indefinitely, can`t really give you a decent answer. I`m trying to remember how long it lasted on the plastic/rubber of "regular use cars" but it`s been so many years I just don`t remember It definitely lasts longer than Exterior Rubber & Vinyl Dressings (which I call "the slime approach ), but not as long as trim sealants like Ultima TTG+ or multiple (i.e., at least 4 minimum) layers of KSG.


On another recent thread Dr. Oldz commented on it`s impressive durability, and I suspect that most people would think it`s very durable..I`m just spoiled.

 

[wannafbody]

I used Wipe New wheel coating on a set of wheels. Seemed pretty durable. The only issue is that the lip of a couple wheels has gone cloudy looking. I`m not sure if it`s the coating degrading or the clearcoat degrading.