Wax for Clearcoat Aluminum Wheels

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Dav22Mccu

New member
Now that I got my wheels cleaned up spotlessly, I want to try to and keep them that way as long as possible. So I'm wondering whether I should wax them.



I've searched for posts about this, but I haven't seen anything definitive.



Some say wax is okay, but use polymer. I've heard polymer yellows under heat conditions.



Others say use a clear spray-on product.



Others say wax doesn't last due to the heat.



I also saw a few responses about using a "sealer". What's a sealer?



I'm interested to hear what others think about this. Please give the pros and cons and product recommendation if possible.
 
I use AIO and SG on my wheels and I have never had any yellowing.



I would use a polymer like K, Z, #20 on my rims before wax, due to durability.



Eric
 
I use multiple layers of Klasse AIO and SG on my wheels. In between washings, I QD the wheels with the Sonus acrylic QD. The combo does a great job with keeping the dust off and making future cleaning much simpler.



-ema
 
Treat your wheels as you would the paint.....



I do suggest a polymer since it can handle the heat better....
 
As stated above, Klasse works great. I have recently used AIO followed by PUPP and that works good as well. Waxes just can't stand up to the heat and grime that attacks our wheels.



Cheers,

My Black 7 Series
 
Well, I use plastic polish on my clear coated wheels. My thoughts are that the wheels use a clear coat that is more plastic than regular clear coat (better for heat I assume), so I use Meg's Plastic cleaner followed by their polish. I finish with #20 Poly. They look great and no problems at all!:up
 
Is heat really that big of an issue with wheels? Unless you are autocross racing, i doubt you'll be using your brakes that much that they would heat up your wheels excessively. I think my hood gets hotter when running in the summer and in the sun than my wheels ever would. I dunno....



That said, I have used Einszett glanz wax on my wheels. Brake dust comes off with little effort, just some EO A2Z and water, or regular shampoo and wash mitt. Depends on how lazy I am. Just wish I put the sealant on the inside when they were new (you can still see dirt on the inside of the rim that I can't get to).



Mike
 
mpauly said:
Is heat really that big of an issue with wheels? Unless you are autocross racing, i doubt you'll be using your brakes that much that they would heat up your wheels excessively. I think my hood gets hotter when running in the summer and in the sun than my wheels ever would. I dunno....



That said, I have used Einszett glanz wax on my wheels. Brake dust comes off with little effort, just some EO A2Z and water, or regular shampoo and wash mitt. Depends on how lazy I am. Just wish I put the sealant on the inside when they were new (you can still see dirt on the inside of the rim that I can't get to).



Mike
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The duration of heat being radiate from the disc ( in most cases) is short lived, but it occurs. If you got out of your car after doing a routine stopping at a light or in stop-and-go traffic you would be able to experience the amount of heat generated. Application of wax will give, like the painted surfaces of your vehicle, some protection but not as long as a polymer sealant. You do not have to purchase a exotic sealant but any locally available sealant will better and longer protect you wheels than a wax( i.e. Meg#20).

The greatest benefit I find with sealing the wheels is that PITA hard to reach places like the inside. Sealing these areas really decreases the amount of grime that adheres to the rim.:wavey
 
Heat is a big issue depending on vehicle and driving style.

Look at my avatar. It is a F250 Super Duty with a V10 engine. I pull a 28' travel trailer with a GCWR of 16 000 pounds! (8 ton!). I have dics on all four wheels, and believe me, I can get them so hot that you can not put your hands on the wheels!



With that said, most normal cars will not get that hot. But, the short duration stops will heat up the wheels tremendously, then cool back down very quickly. Very tough on a wax! But a polymer stands a much better chance.



Cheers! :)
 
I have been using #20 on my wheels and they have been spotless. Just wash with car soap like the rest of the car. The true test was when I washed my sister's car this weekend. I had sealed her wheels 2 months ago and she hadn't washed the car once since then (ugh!). I went out there expecting the worst, since the wheels were solid brown from brake dust. However, every just washed right off with a regular wash. I was really impressed. :xyxthumbs
 
I ordered and just recently received a container of Wheel Wax from CMA. I'm just curious if anyone else has used this product as I actually haven't tried it yet. I will be detailing a Range Rover HSE next week and plan to use it at that time.



For the last few years I generally have used P21S Wheel Cleaner followed by multiple coats of Klasse when detailing wheels. Like many of you, I have strayed from using Carnubas on the wheels due to heat issues.



Any feedback would be great.
 
fastidious_r said:
I ordered and just recently received a container of Wheel Wax from CMA. I'm just curious if anyone else has used this product as I actually haven't tried it yet. I will be detailing a Range Rover HSE next week and plan to use it at that time.



For the last few years I generally have used P21S Wheel Cleaner followed by multiple coats of Klasse when detailing wheels. Like many of you, I have strayed from using Carnubas on the wheels due to heat issues.



Any feedback would be great.
Click to expand...



I cant imagine why you'd stop using Klasse on wheels. It seems to be one of the best wheel protection solutions. You've not used a carnauba on wheel due to protection concerns, but you buy a carnauba product? Heres a thread discussing Wheel Wax; http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8689&highlight=wheel+wax



If Klasse is no longer working for you I'd understand the switch. But if I were you I'd return the Wheel Wax.
 
bretfraz said:
I cant imagine why you'd stop using Klasse on wheels. It seems to be one of the best wheel protection solutions. You've not used a carnauba on wheel due to protection concerns, but you buy a carnauba product? Heres a thread discussing Wheel Wax; http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8689&highlight=wheel+wax



If Klasse is no longer working for you I'd understand the switch. But if I were you I'd return the Wheel Wax.
Click to expand...



I actually thought that Wheel Wax was fortified with polymers and heat resistant sealants, thus capable of withstanding high heat. This understanding on my part coupled with the advertising claim that Wheel Wax repels brake dust is what intrigued me enough to purchase the product.



In regards to Klasse... It has definitely worked well for me. I think it is vastly superior to carnaubas for wheel protection. I guess I just reached a point that I wanted to audition yet another product, and at the point of purchase, I didn't think I was buying a 100% carnauba product. Based on the thread you pointed me to it sounds like I will be disappointed when comparing Wheel Wax to the P21S / Klasse combo though. Thanks for the advice bretfraz!:)
 
After reading this post, I decided to try Klasse SG on the wheels and was astonished at how well it keeps brake dust away. I used to put carnauba on it but Klasse, or any other polymers I suppose, is definitely better.
 
As stated a couple posts back, I purchased some Wheel Wax from CMA. I have been using Klasse on wheels for quite a while and bought the Wheel Wax strictly out of curiosity. I tried it for the first time this last weekend on a Range Rover with painted/clear coated wheels. It was easy to use and had a nice aroma. I don't think the wheels exhibited quite as brilliant a shine as the Klasse'd wheels I'm accustomed to however. I will be doing a basic clean on the Rover again in three weeks so I should have a pretty good idea when I see it again how well it holds up. I'll probably keep with the Klasse for my vehicle wheels. If the Wheel Wax holds up nicely though I may use it intermittently on customer vehicles.
 
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