Ceramic Coating Wheels

[claycourter01]

I was considering having a professional detailer include wheels as part of a ceramic coating package for a BMW M5.

My understanding is that it is necessary to remove the wheels to do this properly. Is this something that should be straightforward for a professional detailer to do, or is there any possibility of changes in alignment if the lug nuts are not tightened to exactly the pre-existing level?

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Yes, the best way to coat wheels is off the car. Yes, you should coat your wheels, particularly with the kind of brake pads you likely have on an M-car.

No, lug nut torque has nothing to do with alignment. Is this a service that this detailer advertises? I'm presuming that anyone who is going to take the wheels off an M5 is going to use a torque wrench to put them back on, but maybe that is too much of a presumption. The only way the alignment would be affected is if he doesn't know how to jack up a car and bends something.

 

[msharpe785]

Agree. I am in the auto service business. No effect on alignment but should use a calibrated torque wrench to correctly torque wheels back to OE specs. Hopefully they know the correct lift points for your M5 as well. Just ask the detailer to get an understanding of his process.

 

[Eldorado2k]

Just curious, if AAA comes out and changes your tire [not referring to OP] and you happen to be driving an M5, is he expected to torque your lug nuts to OEM spec when he slaps your full size spare on?

[I’m not being sarcastic].

 

[Desertnate]

When lifting any BMW, regardless of whether they are an M model, there is a square rubber cup on each of the four pinch weld jack points. The best way to lift them is to have jack pad adapters that have a block that fits into that rubber cup. They can easily be found on Amazon for just a few dollars. That said I really don't think a one time lift with a floor jack or even a four-post jack would do any damage to those rubber cups. They are pretty durable.

There is no danger to your alignment, but you do put the rotors at risk if someone ignores the torque spec on the lug studs and cranks them down way too tight. I have been swaping my wheels on a monthly basis for years across three different cars and never had any issues since I start the nuts/studs by hand and then tighten them with a torque wrench set to the right spec.

Agree on taking the wheel off and coating them. It's the only way to do it right and those M pads will dust like crazy. Coating the wheels will make them easier to clean. However, don't think the coating will be some magical protection. You still have to keep up with the wheels or that brake dust will etch or pit the paint on the wheels. I speak from personal experience.