Applying Opti-Coat on wheels

[dnobel]

In your experience, what kind of applicator works best for putting Opti-Coat on wheels? Do you use the same one you would use on the rest of the vehicle? Anybody tried the Wolfgang foam pockets--or maybe cheap 1" wide foam brushes from a hardware store?

 

[duck_commander]

i used the yellow foam pad stuffed in a latex glove wrapped with a blue shop towel to apply to the paint and to the rims. I had no issue. I did the rims last and used a fresh towel.

 

[Mobile detail]

I've used makeup remover pads that my wife had. It worked well. I liked them because they were small and could get into the corners well. It was super easy to apply and I've done OC on a bunch of wheels. It takes such little product and is an easy sell especailly to owners of BMWs that it makes it worth it.

 

[mleun481]

Does everyone take the wheels off or do you apply OC with the wheels still mounted? I want to do it to my car (also a BMW), but don't have jack stands, torque wrench or floor jack besides the cheap one that comes with the car. Of course, I can always get them but wanted to see what everyone else does.

 

[SonOfOC]

I've used makeup remover pads that my wife had. It worked well. I liked them because they were small and could get into the corners well. It was super easy to apply and I've done OC on a bunch of wheels. It takes such little product and is an easy sell especailly to owners of BMWs that it makes it worth it.

:iagree:This is the best applicator in my opinion for wheels. The small size works great for tight areas.

Does everyone take the wheels off or do you apply OC with the wheels still mounted? I want to do it to my car (also a BMW), but don't have jack stands, torque wrench or floor jack besides the cheap one that comes with the car. Of course, I can always get them but wanted to see what everyone else does.

You don't have to remove the wheels, but the time and effort is worth it. You have the oportunity to really clean the wheel barrels, inside sidewall, and also ability to wash, clay, Iron X, and apply Opticoat on the bench.

 

[dnobel]

I've used makeup remover pads that my wife had.

Do you mean those little 100% cotton rounds?

 

[glen e]

Take them off.....I do the WHOLE wheel, incl barrels .....

 

[BobbyG]

Does everyone take the wheels off or do you apply OC with the wheels still mounted? I want to do it to my car (also a BMW), but don't have jack stands, torque wrench or floor jack besides the cheap one that comes with the car. Of course, I can always get them but wanted to see what everyone else does.

Removing the wheel is the best way to both prep and apply the coating. This allows you to position the wheel in any fashion deemed necessary in order to fully clean and prep the surface to be coated.

I like laying the wheel flat and at waist height. This allows me to get real close and move around the wheel to ensure I've gotten everything and not missed anything..

If I can I do! rops:

 

[TroyScherer]

In your experience, what kind of applicator works best for putting Opti-Coat on wheels? Do you use the same one you would use on the rest of the vehicle? Anybody tried the Wolfgang foam pockets--or maybe cheap 1" wide foam brushes from a hardware store?

I used a Blue shop towel that I cut down to the size of the CQ MF applicator. It worked very well on the wheels and allowed me to get into the tight corners. Also the cost per towel that I cut up is much less than the MF applicator or the foam pads.

Does everyone take the wheels off or do you apply OC with the wheels still mounted? I want to do it to my car (also a BMW), but don't have jack stands, torque wrench or floor jack besides the cheap one that comes with the car. Of course, I can always get them but wanted to see what everyone else does.

I took the wheels off my personal car to coat them. You can use your standard car jack.... I'm mean thats what it for. You would just do 1 or 2 wheels at a time. It took me about 5 hours to take my wheels off strip the CQ off them, polish them, and coat them. But I have also have a jack and 4 jack stands and did all the wheels at the same time.

I am guess that most pros are not removing the wheels to coat them unless they are paid to do so. Obviously there is more time involved if you fully remove them. But if you do you can coat the entire wheel.

Removing the wheel is the best way to both prep and apply the coating. This allows you to position the wheel in any fashion deemed necessary in order to fully clean and prep the surface to be coated.

I like laying the wheel flat and at waist height. This allows me to get real close and move around the wheel to ensure I've gotten everything and not missed anything..

If I can I do! rops:

Bobby,

I fully agree. I set up saw horses to use as my table to work on and it makes it the perfect height.

 

[mleun481]

Thanks guys. I've been cleaning the wheels every weekend to get rid of brake dust so it looks like I'll be removing the wheels to apply OC and plan on setting aside some foam applicators that I normally use for the body. Time to shop for some more tools

 

[TroyScherer]

Thanks guys. I've been cleaning the wheels every weekend to get rid of brake dust so it looks like I'll be removing the wheels to apply OC and plan on setting aside some foam applicators that I normally use for the body. Time to shop for some more tools

Please make sure that your applicators are NEW and not used. I would not want to chance cross contamination from a wax or sealant.

 

[RaskyR1]

Lot of different applicators out there that will work but for wheels I will use either foam applicators or the air brush depending on the intricacy of the wheel. If the owner wants the barrels done I take them off to properly clean them and remove all road tar and wheel weight adhesive. If the owner is willing to pay extra I will also polish them. rops:

These Prowler wheels were accessible enough that they didn't need to be removed.

These ones were removed and given a light polish to remove most of the marring seen below

Then coated via airbrush

These Vossen wheels were matte and gloss black with a machined strip on the lip and some tight areas. Air brush was definitely the best way to do these wheels. rops:

Cleaning up some M3 wheels

Polishing

All coated!

Don't forget to torque the wheels back to factory spec either.

One more set of M3 wheels, hand applied this time (Yes I know I wasn't wearing gloves )

Torqued to factory specs!

Hope this helps,
Rasky

 

[swanicyouth]

I just did this the other day. Removing the wheels really is the best option. Ive used the the cotton make-up pads and find the lint all over for me and keep falling apart. I get the applicator that comes with the Opti Coat and cut in into quarters or thirds (or similar foam apllicator).

 

[BlueZero]

I just did this the other day. Removing the wheels really is the best option. Ive used the the cotton make-up pads and find the lint all over for me and keep falling apart. I get the applicator that comes with the Opti Coat and cut in into quarters or thirds (or similar foam apllicator).

Don't use the cotton make-up pads, try the foam rubber ones. The come in round and wedge shape. :xyxthumbs:

 

[KillaCam]

Not to thread hijack, but I'd like to know rasky's process for polishing those wheels. Mine need it but I don't know if I should do it by hand or what.

 

[RaskyR1]

Not to thread hijack, but I'd like to know rasky's process for polishing those wheels. Mine need it but I don't know if I should do it by hand or what.

Depends on the wheels really. I try to use the Mothers Power Cone and Mini-Ball whenever possible, as well as a rotary with foam pads for the wheel faces. Meguiar's has a cone too but I haven't tried it yet. Finish type will be the biggest factor but if they are clear coated I just treat them like paint on the car. Pick a product based of the condition and perform a test spot. On most the wheels above used Optimum Polishes simply because I was using Opti-Guard afterwards, but you should be able to use just about any car polish. For Chrome and uncoated metals you will want to stick with specific products geared for each metal type.

Hope this helps,
Rasky

 

[KillaCam]

These are aluminum clear coated wheels. I used the mini powerball with megs 105 and it wasn't touching the swirls. It's also hard to get in the little spaces with the powerball. I gave up lol

 

[BMW]

RaskyR1 is right on point. Remove the wheel, clean & polish the entire wheel and then airbrush for intricate designs. It works incredibly well and is and OC is an absolute must for BMW wheels...they shed their weight in dust every year.

 

[Rsurfer]

Did you try the cone, it will get you into tighter areas.

These are aluminum clear coated wheels. I used the mini powerball with megs 105 and it wasn't touching the swirls. It's also hard to get in the little spaces with the powerball. I gave up lol

 

[KillaCam]

Did you try the cone, it will get you into tighter areas.

No I haven't. Didn't want to buy both of them if I only needed one.