Alloy Wheel protector/sealant

[redz]

Has anybody used an alloy wheel protector/sealant??

I have new chrome/black wheels arriving saturday and wanted to use something to keeper looking nice n shiny!

[Smeeagain]

I'm going to be doing this in the next couple of weeks as Ive just had my summer wheels refurbed.

You can only do what Im suggesting with spotlessly clean wheels.

I plan to use Gtechniq C5 wheel armour (just follow the instructions - very easy to use/apply)

I'm planning to do the inner face of the wheels as well it should be said - some will only want to do the outer face.

Then I am going with FinishKare 1000p wax - I've chosen this as it is a high temperature wax and sealant. IT allows allows immediate re-application for additional layers of wax (I'm planning on 3).
Not sure yet what I will clean them with on an ongoing basis as I want to be sure that what I sues removes as much brake dust/road fil etc as possible whilst removing as little wax as possible as I don't plan to remove the wheels every time I clean them to re-wax the inside

If I remember I will do a how to when I do it (in a couple of weeks) - I then plan to revisit it in 6 months when the wheels come back off to see how they fare

Smee

[Mpower]

Try gtechniq C5

[Lloydy]

I am a bit of a bufty and always polish the new wheels first, then seal twice with poorboys wheel sealant and then put a wax on top of that.

The dirt just runs off!

[TonyX5]

Before we get delivery of our new car (new to us) the wheels are going to be refurbed and sprayed ferric grey,
when I get them I will first clay them then polish with SRP and finish with several coats of Jetseal 109.

easy to keep clean after that.

[Dan1502]

I just had mine refurbished and put poorboys on at the wheel refurbishers before swapping them over with my winter set.  It's good but I would go for gtechniq C5 if I hadn't already got some poorboys.  We have C1 on our SL60 AMG and it's still beading after having been applied last summer.  Just be careful how you apply it.  You use a little bit on a cotton pad and have to buff it quite quickly or it sets rock hard.  It's not difficult just don't use too much or leave it long (or do it in hot sunshine - chance would be a fine thing).

[Smeeagain]

equally you cant apply it below 10c either, if I remember correctly

[Dan1502]

Oh, and a wipe with isopropyl alcohol (diluted to 50% IIRC) is recommended to decontaminate the surface first.

[redz]

so i bought poor boys wheel sealant and bilberry wheel cleaner.

so if I'm reading right, use the wheel cleaner first, dry, wipe down with isopropyl (which i already have) and then apply the sealant.

one coat or two of sealant and how long until i can use?

[crash]

[quote="Dan1502"]
Oh, and a wipe with isopropyl alcohol (diluted to 50% IIRC) is recommended to decontaminate the surface first.
[/quote]

I wouldn't use more than 10-20% IPA dilution really, and even then i would make sure it was an immediate on/off application to avoid the chance of it softening the paint!

Personally i would follow this order...

• treat wheels with fall out remover (using Korrosol/ iron X)
• Wash wheels off (Bilberry)
• Clay wheels
• IPA wipe down
• Apply your chosen wheel sealant.

Edit: Just a note that if you have had the wheels refurbed or painted recently you will need to wait around four weeks to ensure the paint solvent has dissipated before applying the sealant to avoid the chance of any reactions!

[redz]

Well they are new so can only think they will have been painted etc more than 4 weeks ago??

I hope so cause I have already done the first sealant! Took a lot longer than I thought!

When applying the 2nd coat of sealant do I just apply and buff or need to clean again?

not on the car yet btw.

[Smeeagain]

If you clean again you will take the sealant off. However not all sealant allow for immediate layering. If you can, do it all on a Saturday (or day 1) and do the second coat on a Sunday(day 2).

[redz]

right so i did two coats of poor boys  sealant..

to clean do i just give a blast with jet wash (water only) or wipe down with micro fibre?

[crash]

Just wash down with your regular car shampoo and wash mitt/ sponge
, should come up gleaming. No need to use anything more aggressive now.

[Smeeagain]

Sorry but thats just not true - brake dust, road film tar etc - none of these will be removed by regular car shampoo alone.