Is wheel wax/protection really worth it?

The wheels on your car or truck live their lives in a tough environment. They see roar dirt and grime, sand, salt, extreme temperatures, hot brake dust and a host of other environmental hazards.

Maintaining your wheels is important if you want their looks to last. Polishing them once or twice a year will remove embedded grime and oxidation just like maintaining the paint on your car. Applying a coat of sealant or wax is most important as it provides a layer of protection against to ward off the assault of brake dust and road debris.

The problem with sealants and waxes is that they're temporary and must be reapplied in order to maintain their effectiveness. Permanent coatings like Optimum Opti-Coat provide a hard permanent barrier and while much more resilient it too will wear over time...but a much longer time.

Before I used Opti-Coat on my wheels I used Collinite 845 after each wash and it reduced brake dust accumulation by 50% and made washing a cinch. Regular wash water was all that was needed, no strong or dedicated wheel cleaners...

The bottom line: Maintaining your wheels correctly is important and if nothing else sealing and waxing should be part of this regiment..

These wheels are 14 years old and see tough New England winters regularly...




Products_Tests_24.JPG
 
Anyone ever try Ultima Tire and Trim Guard on wheels before?

I was apply to my trim and tires and never noticed that the bottle says for wheels too. So I applied it to my 13 Durango RT's factory 20 inch black painted wheels. Bit of a PIA to buff off and was a little difficult to see on black but wheels look nice and glossy. Now have to see how it holds up.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
I have an American car that would like to compete with the German cars. Granted, it has the best brakes of any car I've ever had, however, the wheels quickly turn black with dust. Sometimes I wonder if black brake dust is the price for good braking, or whether the mfr. simply thought that customers expected the brake dust to be terrible, so they use pads that meet the customer's expectations.

When the factory pads are up, I'm going to sort of do as Swanicyouth did, repaint the wheels and install Akebono Pro-Acts; it will be interesting to see what the difference is performance and appearance-wise.

As to the OP's question, I also think dedicated wheel waxes/sealants are a marketing gimmick, although I did win a jar of Poorboy's Wheel Sealant some years ago, and it worked well, so it's not like they are bad products.
Click to expand...

Do you think feel will still be able to drive your car hard enough after switching to non dust pads? Aren't you afraid of neutering your high performance brakes?

Well, there is no reason to fear. There is zero noticeable performance difference, and since 2012 (I believe that's the year) BMW has switched their break pads to a compound that makes a normal/much less amount of dust.
 
BobbyG said:
The wheels on your car or truck live their lives in a tough environment. They see roar dirt and grime, sand, salt, extreme temperatures, hot brake dust and a host of other environmental hazards.

Maintaining your wheels is important if you want their looks to last. Polishing them once or twice a year will remove embedded grime and oxidation just like maintaining the paint on your car. Applying a coat of sealant or wax is most important as it provides a layer of protection against to ward off the assault of brake dust and road debris.

The problem with sealants and waxes is that they're temporary and must be reapplied in order to maintain their effectiveness. Permanent coatings like Optimum Opti-Coat provide a hard permanent barrier and while much more resilient it too will wear over time...but a much longer time.

Before I used Opti-Coat on my wheels I used Collinite 845 after each wash and it reduced brake dust accumulation by 50% and made washing a cinch. Regular wash water was all that was needed, no strong or dedicated wheel cleaners...

The bottom line: Maintaining your wheels correctly is important and if nothing else sealing and waxing should be part of this regiment..

These wheels are 14 years old and see tough New England winters regularly...




Products_Tests_24.JPG
Click to expand...

Wow! So 845 kept those wheels looking like that for 14 yrs? I am assuming now they are Opti-Coated, they looks brand new. :xyxthumbs:
 
Meticulous-Detail said:
Wow! So 845 kept those wheels looking like that for 14 yrs? I am assuming now they are Opti-Coated, they looks brand new. :xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

I started using Collinite 845 on them about 5 or 6 years ago but always waxed them. I clayed and polished them last year and Opti-Coated them for better and more long lasting protection...:props:
 
swanicyouth said:
Do you think feel will still be able to drive your car hard enough after switching to non dust pads? Aren't you afraid of neutering your high performance brakes?
Click to expand...

I'm an old guy, I don't drive the car that hard. Plus it's a drag having to wash the wheels because they are filthy when the rest of the car is still clean. Really, as far as the performance for street driving, I think the biggest brake problem isn't not using black-dust brake pads, but the crappy brake designs that are so vulnerable to salt corrosion and pad hang-up. I miss those mid-70's to whenever GM brakes that were just bulletproof, where the pads slid on booted, greased pins, not in a shim where they can rust in place, like today.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
I'm an old guy, I don't drive the car that hard. Plus it's a drag having to wash the wheels because they are filthy when the rest of the car is still clean. Really, as far as the performance for street driving, I think the biggest brake problem isn't not using black-dust brake pads, but the crappy brake designs that are so vulnerable to salt corrosion and pad hang-up. I miss those mid-70's to whenever GM brakes that were just bulletproof, where the pads slid on booted, greased pins, not in a shim where they can rust in place, like today.
Click to expand...

I agree on all counts (except that your an old guy).
 
BobbyG said:
Age is just a number...................and sometimes a very old number....:laughing:

Speaking from experience of course! :props:
Click to expand...

14 years? Most people's body paint doesn't looks as good as your wheels on their 2 year old car. I guess this shows if you take care of stuff it will last.

BTW... I'm 40. So I guess I'm now old as well :(
 
wax em , seal em , coat em it's better than nothing . I opticoated mine, before that powerlock/845 combo . wheel specific products -pass .id say more wheel specific products ain't much diff than paint products ? wash regularly . most weekenders and those that do clean there wheels ... using whatever wheel cleaner don't know that if they did wax their wheels that the cleaner more than likey stripped off the protection . so u got clean wheels but not protected in any way anymore .
 
I'm not a fan of painted wheels, especially black painted wheels but that's what I have on my truck as of today.

These wheels are brand new, cost over $400.00 a piece and in these before shots they're looking a little dull...

1987_Chevy_Moster_Truck_021.jpg


1987_Chevy_Moster_Truck_022.jpg




I washed my truck using the foam gun and Detailer's Extreme Foam Formula Auto Shampoo and a Boar's Hair Brush.

At the extreme makeover, I believe Robert used Optimum G-P-S by hand and the difference is remarkable...

1987 Chevy 4x4 Monster Truck "Before & After" Pictures

1987_Chevy_Moster_Truck_060.jpg





1987_Chevy_Moster_Truck_092.jpg


1987_Chevy_Moster_Truck_093.jpg


1987_Chevy_Moster_Truck_094.jpg


1987_Chevy_Moster_Truck_095.jpg




:)
 
Besides the fact that the wheels look amazing you folks that have not owned Dodge wheels should know that they have a huge problem with corrosion on the wheel right where the center rams horn insert meets the wheel. I had an '05 Magnum R/T and hated the wheels because of that. I wish now that I would have waxed them. Rockn example of how taking care of your wheels and they will continue to look awesome.
Thank you Bobby:dblthumb2::bowdown::bowdown:
BobbyG said:
The wheels on your car or truck live their lives in a tough environment. They see roar dirt and grime, sand, salt, extreme temperatures, hot brake dust and a host of other environmental hazards.

Maintaining your wheels is important if you want their looks to last. Polishing them once or twice a year will remove embedded grime and oxidation just like maintaining the paint on your car. Applying a coat of sealant or wax is most important as it provides a layer of protection against to ward off the assault of brake dust and road debris.

The problem with sealants and waxes is that they're temporary and must be reapplied in order to maintain their effectiveness. Permanent coatings like Optimum Opti-Coat provide a hard permanent barrier and while much more resilient it too will wear over time...but a much longer time.

Before I used Opti-Coat on my wheels I used Collinite 845 after each wash and it reduced brake dust accumulation by 50% and made washing a cinch. Regular wash water was all that was needed, no strong or dedicated wheel cleaners...

The bottom line: Maintaining your wheels correctly is important and if nothing else sealing and waxing should be part of this regiment..

These wheels are 14 years old and see tough New England winters regularly...




Products_Tests_24.JPG
Click to expand...
 
swanicyouth said:
14 years? Most people's body paint doesn't looks as good as your wheels on their 2 year old car. I guess this shows if you take care of stuff it will last.

BTW... I'm 40. So I guess I'm now old as well :(
Click to expand...

I remember when I was 40 and those were great years....now I'm old enough to be your father! :eek:.......now how did that happen!! :laughing:
 
I put opticoat on the wheels of both my cars and never looked back. Looks great and easy to clean. If you can afford it, it's worth it to buy opticoat just for your wheels. With the amount you will spend on cleaners and sealants for wheels, Opticoat could cost less and look better in the long run.
 
Wow! Thank you guys for all the information! There is a lot of info and all of it is very much appreciated. It gives me a lot to think about and look over. Sorry I cannot reply to everyone as I would like to.

pro 4x said:
blackfire crystal seal is great for wheels. or use any good wax/sealant as mentioned above.

i have also used wheel wax and blackfire polish & seal with great results. the local BMW dealer has the wheel wax.

nice xterra! what year? i have the 2012 PRO 4X.
Click to expand...

Thanks man! But I cannot claim the x. It is one of my regulars. However, I have always liked them and they a pretty sweet suv! Oh and I think his is an 08 off road.

BobbyG said:
The wheels on your car or truck live their lives in a tough environment. They see roar dirt and grime, sand, salt, extreme temperatures, hot brake dust and a host of other environmental hazards.

Maintaining your wheels is important if you want their looks to last. Polishing them once or twice a year will remove embedded grime and oxidation just like maintaining the paint on your car. Applying a coat of sealant or wax is most important as it provides a layer of protection against to ward off the assault of brake dust and road debris.

The problem with sealants and waxes is that they're temporary and must be reapplied in order to maintain their effectiveness. Permanent coatings like Optimum Opti-Coat provide a hard permanent barrier and while much more resilient it too will wear over time...but a much longer time.

Before I used Opti-Coat on my wheels I used Collinite 845 after each wash and it reduced brake dust accumulation by 50% and made washing a cinch. Regular wash water was all that was needed, no strong or dedicated wheel cleaners...

The bottom line: Maintaining your wheels correctly is important and if nothing else sealing and waxing should be part of this regiment..

These wheels are 14 years old and see tough New England winters regularly...




Products_Tests_24.JPG
Click to expand...

Bobby-Thank you for the write-up. Definitely helped to see the results after an extended period of time with harsh winters.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top