n00b: what to use to prep winter wheels

I

imported_Astral

New member
I have a set of brand new, never-installed alloy wheels and winter tires. With the temps dropping to 18 degs Friday night and chance of snow Monday night, I think it's time to put them on. Since they are so clean, it would be a shame not to wax/prep them before putting them on.



However, I don't have any special wheel wax. The only stuff I have is Zaino: Z2Pro, Z5, Z6, Z8, ZFX.



Should I use Zaino to "seal"/"wax" the wheels? Or should I go to a local AutoZone/Advance Auto Parts and pick up something else? Is there something else that will work better?



I am primarily looking for easier cleaning of wheels and to reduce the damage by the salt and such.



The wheels are silver painted.



(I don't think that I can order anything online, as it wouldn't get here in time).
 
I would throw a couple coats of Z2Pro on them. There won't be any problem. I use Klasse AIO and Wolfgang sealant on my wheels.



And very good move, sealing the wheels when they're brand new. They'll clean up incredibly easy after winter when you take them off.
 
I'd stick with the Zaino. I use different things on my wheels, but the best protection comes from my KSG. Since your Zaino is the same type of product, that would be my choice. The best thing you'd find OTC would be Collinite IW/845, and IMO that wouldn't be any better than the Z, maybe not even as good. So just start layering that Z2 Pro now and by the time you need to put them on they'll be well protected. Remember to do the back sides! Then just wash them with car wash solution, not wheel cleaner- you don't want to wash off the Zaino. Should easily last all winter.
 
Ok, thanks guys! Will definitely use Zaino. I got the following advice from Sal Zaino over e-mail:



Important Wheel Maintainence..... For Clear-Coated Rims....



I do not recommend using any type of wheel cleaners on your wheels. Even

though they may say clear-coat safe. Most of them are not. They can

cloud, dull, etch and even ruin the clear-coat. Remember they say clear

coat safe. Would you use them to clean your paint finish??? Doubt it.

Get my point. Not worth taking the chance.



I recommend the following;



Zaino ZFX accelerator should be used with Z-2 or Z-5 on the wheels. Z-2 or

Z-5 is very durable and will keep the wheels protected from water abrasion

and super heated brake dust. Z-2 will blow away anything you were

prevously using. Get at least 2 to 3 coats of Z-2 on them. It will make

those wheels look better than new. And help them stay that way. Just

remember the wheels get the most abuse, so keep them maintained

regularly with Z-2 show Car polish. Also use Z-6 "Gloss Enhancer" spray

between every coat of Z-2. It really helps give a three dimensional

look. Its antistatic formula will reduce brake dust and dirt pickup by

60%. Your wheels will stay cleaner longer and look better than new.

Guaranteed!​
 
Thanks very much folks, sorry for the total newbiness here!



At least I managed to apply one coat of Z5 (dawn-clay-wash-Z5-Z8) before the winter.. unfortunatley, didn't have time for more.



Will do the whole darn wheel :)
 
just an update, through this winter...



1) there's less brake dust and dirt sticking to the wheels. Now, it's winter time so there's still plenty of crap, but it's still nicer. last night there was some wet dirt on the wheels, usually i would have expected that to stick, but i guess it spun off as it wasn't there this evening after the work commute.

2) wheel are shiny/nicer when clean and nicer when not as clean (duh, with wax..)

3) all the brake dust, dirt, yellowing crap, etc comes RIGHT OFF with just a wipe with car shampoo! (in my case, QEW) i **** you not. no scrubbing or harsher action, except for road tar. i don't use wheel cleaner (because most are too strong for the wax), but i don't really need to: just wipe the wheels w/ a watery/soapy towel/mitt. my old wheels (on my old car) would require some heavier action, and has sometimes some yellowy spots that were nasty to clean.



i had no time to wash the whole car this weekend (Even though it got warmer), so i just cleaned the wheels with QEW and gave part of the fenders a wipe down since they had some super-nasty salt "prints"... so here it is, the half-assed wash:







(heh you can see the orange peel in the full size pic)
 
Hmm those tires look familiar. :) Dunlop Winter Sport M3 it seems...



The wheels look great. How do the M3s work for you in the snow?
 
the M3s have been working pretty well. i can't really compare all that much to the pirelli snowsports that i used to run on my fwd protege, but it brakes great. the dry feel is pretty decent for snow tires. overally, pretty happy.
 
Glad to hear the Z2 is working out so well.



Also glad to hear the M3 are OK. I dunno if I'll get around to putting mine on the S8 this winter but I was wondering how they were working for people. I know White95Max likes his...
 
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