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- Aug 12, 2019
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Armour Detail Supply High Temp Wheel Coating Review
Who?
Armour Detail Supply is a relatively new company with a focus on providing high quality detailing products to the professional and enthusiast user. They make a point of delivering real world products that deliver real world durability, all without the hype that many brands use to sell product.
What Is It and What Does It Do?
As the name suggests, Armour Detail Supply Wheel Coating is a high temperature resistant ceramic coating to be used on wheels, brake calipers, exhaust tips or surfaces subjected to high heat. Tested up to 800 degrees Celsius, this coating has a high 76% solids count and a pH tolerance ranging from 0 to 13. The coating can be used on a variety of wheel surfaces, including chrome, painted, clear coated, powder coated, anodized and matte finishes.
Much is made about this coating being able to easily eclipse the claimed durability, up to twice the 1+ year claim and extreme hardness levels. This contrasts to the optimistic durability claimed by some of the big names offering wheel-specific coatings.
Another drawcard for this coating is something often missing from high-temp wheel coatings. Having used a few competitor wheel coatings, the lack of slickness and an overall grabby feel left me wanting. In addition to that, they didn’t have that WOW factory to the hydrophobic properties. For the most part, this is the tradeoff for durability in high heat situations. And it's this aspect of the Armour Detail Supply Wheel Coating that really grabbed my attention, the excellent slickness and superb water behavior, while maintaining or even improving durability.
Where and How To Use –
Naturally, having surfaces ceramic coated is all about protecting and enhancing the finish, in turn making future cleaning quicker and easier. Arguably the surface subjected to the harshest conditions on a car, having your wheels coated makes a huge difference in how they resist brake dust accumulation.
For the most part, using Armour Detail Supply Wheel Coating is very similar to the various others on the market……………..with some specific aspects to note. A dual-colored microfiber applicator is supplied with each bottle, but this coating cures HARD and FAST, which means you may need a secondary applicator to get through a set of four wheels, and ideally, a second set of leveling and final wipe towels. That doesn't necessarily mean the coating flashes quickly, rather that it begins to harden and cure much quicker than usual. The suggested application temperature range is between 5 to 38 degrees C (40 to 100F) and the flash time of 1 to 5-min depending on conditions (average 2 to 3-min). Expect to use 10 – 15 ml per wheel set. Unopened, the product has a 12-month self-life, 7-days once opened.
The key to success with any coating is preparation, preparation, preparation! If you are dealing with brand new wheels, then a simple wipe down with an IPA prep spray will be all you need.
However, if the wheels/brake calipers/exhaust tips are used, then a through decontamination by using iron removers, tar removers and a clay treatment is highly recommended. If needed, you may also need to polish the wheels. Once decontaminated and polished, follow with a generous wipe down with an IPA prep spray, which in my case has been Rupes Reveal Lite and Strong.
If you are dealing with wheels without tyres like I am here, I suggest having the tyres mounted and balanced before applying the coating. This might sound counterintuitive, but you may have issues retaining the wheel weights if you coat the wheels first.
Prime the applicator with 3 lines of product before starting, from there, only smaller amounts are required. Working one wheel at a time, apply the coating in overlapping motions to ensure even and complete coverage. I prefer to start with the wheel face first, followed by the barrels. You are more likely to have residual product transferring from the wheel face to the barrel, so doing the barrels last prevents that becoming a high spot.
Allow the coating to flash, which is exhibited by a light hazing and uniform sweat beading, typically within 2 or 3-minute. Using a low pile towel, level down the coating. The initial wipes will be ultra grabby, which quickly transforms to a slick and smooth feel under the towel. Follow up with a secondary towel to remove any lingering residue. Flip the wheel and follow the same process for the barrel, followed by another wipe over the wheel face to address any possible residue transfer.
While not necessary, Armour Detail Supply suggest waiting at least an hour before applying a secondary coat. After 4 hours, you can apply a ceramic spray sealant (Amplify or similar) to protect the coating during its initial cure. It’s also suggested to avoid driving the car for at least 12 hours. After 12 hours, the car can be driven and get wet. Refrain from washing within the first 7 days as the coating fully cures and hardens.
Conclusions –
As mentioned earlier, prior to the use of this coating, I was not entirely happy with my experiences using wheel-specific coatings. The Armour product however delivers the gloss, slickness and water behavior one would expect from a ceramic coating. Durability wise, its still early days, so only time will tell if the claims of extended longevity will play out. I can say subsequent cleaning after application has been a breeze.
For me personally, I have been importing this coating directly from Armour Detail Supply in the USA, thankfully with reasonable shipping costs. Even still, its not a cheap coating for me to use, but I think the benefits are worth it. Here’s hoping the brand makes the trip to Australia at some point in the future.
Who?
Armour Detail Supply is a relatively new company with a focus on providing high quality detailing products to the professional and enthusiast user. They make a point of delivering real world products that deliver real world durability, all without the hype that many brands use to sell product.
What Is It and What Does It Do?
As the name suggests, Armour Detail Supply Wheel Coating is a high temperature resistant ceramic coating to be used on wheels, brake calipers, exhaust tips or surfaces subjected to high heat. Tested up to 800 degrees Celsius, this coating has a high 76% solids count and a pH tolerance ranging from 0 to 13. The coating can be used on a variety of wheel surfaces, including chrome, painted, clear coated, powder coated, anodized and matte finishes.
Much is made about this coating being able to easily eclipse the claimed durability, up to twice the 1+ year claim and extreme hardness levels. This contrasts to the optimistic durability claimed by some of the big names offering wheel-specific coatings.
Another drawcard for this coating is something often missing from high-temp wheel coatings. Having used a few competitor wheel coatings, the lack of slickness and an overall grabby feel left me wanting. In addition to that, they didn’t have that WOW factory to the hydrophobic properties. For the most part, this is the tradeoff for durability in high heat situations. And it's this aspect of the Armour Detail Supply Wheel Coating that really grabbed my attention, the excellent slickness and superb water behavior, while maintaining or even improving durability.
Where and How To Use –
Naturally, having surfaces ceramic coated is all about protecting and enhancing the finish, in turn making future cleaning quicker and easier. Arguably the surface subjected to the harshest conditions on a car, having your wheels coated makes a huge difference in how they resist brake dust accumulation.
For the most part, using Armour Detail Supply Wheel Coating is very similar to the various others on the market……………..with some specific aspects to note. A dual-colored microfiber applicator is supplied with each bottle, but this coating cures HARD and FAST, which means you may need a secondary applicator to get through a set of four wheels, and ideally, a second set of leveling and final wipe towels. That doesn't necessarily mean the coating flashes quickly, rather that it begins to harden and cure much quicker than usual. The suggested application temperature range is between 5 to 38 degrees C (40 to 100F) and the flash time of 1 to 5-min depending on conditions (average 2 to 3-min). Expect to use 10 – 15 ml per wheel set. Unopened, the product has a 12-month self-life, 7-days once opened.
The key to success with any coating is preparation, preparation, preparation! If you are dealing with brand new wheels, then a simple wipe down with an IPA prep spray will be all you need.
However, if the wheels/brake calipers/exhaust tips are used, then a through decontamination by using iron removers, tar removers and a clay treatment is highly recommended. If needed, you may also need to polish the wheels. Once decontaminated and polished, follow with a generous wipe down with an IPA prep spray, which in my case has been Rupes Reveal Lite and Strong.
If you are dealing with wheels without tyres like I am here, I suggest having the tyres mounted and balanced before applying the coating. This might sound counterintuitive, but you may have issues retaining the wheel weights if you coat the wheels first.
Prime the applicator with 3 lines of product before starting, from there, only smaller amounts are required. Working one wheel at a time, apply the coating in overlapping motions to ensure even and complete coverage. I prefer to start with the wheel face first, followed by the barrels. You are more likely to have residual product transferring from the wheel face to the barrel, so doing the barrels last prevents that becoming a high spot.
Allow the coating to flash, which is exhibited by a light hazing and uniform sweat beading, typically within 2 or 3-minute. Using a low pile towel, level down the coating. The initial wipes will be ultra grabby, which quickly transforms to a slick and smooth feel under the towel. Follow up with a secondary towel to remove any lingering residue. Flip the wheel and follow the same process for the barrel, followed by another wipe over the wheel face to address any possible residue transfer.
While not necessary, Armour Detail Supply suggest waiting at least an hour before applying a secondary coat. After 4 hours, you can apply a ceramic spray sealant (Amplify or similar) to protect the coating during its initial cure. It’s also suggested to avoid driving the car for at least 12 hours. After 12 hours, the car can be driven and get wet. Refrain from washing within the first 7 days as the coating fully cures and hardens.
Conclusions –
As mentioned earlier, prior to the use of this coating, I was not entirely happy with my experiences using wheel-specific coatings. The Armour product however delivers the gloss, slickness and water behavior one would expect from a ceramic coating. Durability wise, its still early days, so only time will tell if the claims of extended longevity will play out. I can say subsequent cleaning after application has been a breeze.
For me personally, I have been importing this coating directly from Armour Detail Supply in the USA, thankfully with reasonable shipping costs. Even still, its not a cheap coating for me to use, but I think the benefits are worth it. Here’s hoping the brand makes the trip to Australia at some point in the future.
