Starting from scratch

[Smeeagain]

Appreciate this is not a detailing forum ( and i have also posted on detailing world) but ……
Over the years I've tried and failed to properly clean the inside facing of my alloy wheels despite using a variety of products of endless hours of elbow grease. However, I have just taken my 19 inch alloys off my BMW x5 e53 2004 3.0 d sport  auto and put on the 17 inch winter wheels. I've just paid out to have the 19inch set fully refurbed  so I'm now effectively starting from scratch. I plan to use some poor boys wheel sealant and wax but my question is two fold .......
Do I need a specific wheel wax or would collinite suffice and do I need any additional applications of wax or any other product to ensure that the dirt comes straight off when I change the wheels back over in around six months time
Smee

[snipez999]

You're planning to steal some wheel wax off some poor boy? Shame on you.

My detailer is coming next week I'll ask him what he uses as is fab

[Reusch]

My detailer is coming next week I'll ask him what he uses as is fab


No comment.

[Horizon]

I know it's not much help, but I usually have my wheels powder coated, it's the same price, done the same day and the dirt just seems to rinse off, I had a set of AC S rims with a polished lacquered rim, which to my disgust started to peel after the first sign of winter salt, had them bead  blasted and powder coated, never had any issues with the finish after that, also had my 8 series rims done and they stayed looking like new all the time I had the car.

[snipez999]

Reusch I called him he says it's plain old KY mate.

Lmfaooooo

[Raj]

As Horizon has stated, newly powder coated rims tend to be pretty good at not allowing the brake dust and dirt to adhere to it. I do tend to put a few layers of chemical guys wheel sealant on too before refitting the alloys.

Also depends what you use to clean the alloys with. Use something like Bilburry's and you will find that it doesn't strip the wheel sealant either.

[Jayx5]

I use finishcare 1000p as its a high temperature wax so hot brake dust dosnt wear it off and I re coat every 6-8 weeks and it gives the alloys a lovely shiny. I buy it from cleanyourcar.co.uk.

[crash]

Gtechniq C5 wheel sealant. Expensive but awesome stuff, lasts from 8 months to a year.

http://youtu.be/JLHnzAb8aKk

[rhinoman]

I'm fairly new to the detailing thing but treated the wife's X5 wheels to a off the car clean and 2 coats of Poorboys wheel sealant wax about 6 weeks ago and it's the best thing ever. The wheels are now easy to clean with just a jet washer and soapy water, no more expensive chemical cleaners.

That said, my Audi's wheels are going off for a refurb and as soon as they come back the will have Gtechniq C5 applied before they go back on the car. Probably less long term effort.

[Smeeagain]

Ive had a fair few recommedantions - thanks to all.

I will do this when the weather is warmer as the first product requires  temp of 41 degrees. i am going to use C5, then poorboys wheel sealant which i already have then the finishcare 1000 high temp wax.

In the meantime I will hand the wheels in the new wheel bags I purchased to store them

Pics of the bgas to follow and pics over time of the wheels on the products have been applied and then after six months use on the car I will take them off next year to swap back to winters and see how easy they are to clean. If the c5 genuinely lasts 8 months then my 6 months summer usage will be well covered and I can reapply

Smee

[snipez999]

Gtechniq is the stuff

[Smeeagain]

will a 15ml bottle do a full set of 19 inch alloys including the reverse face or will I need the 30ml bottle do you reckon?

Smee

[crash]

Ideally the 15ml should do a full set of 4, but i ordered the bigger bottle to enable me to go over each wheel (face & inner) twice to guarantee complete coverage and make sure they are well protected for winter.

Plenty left to give them a another coat just before summer as well!

Just make you prep the wheels correctly first before applying!

[Smeeagain]

Thanks

Prep is clearly important but as they are just back from being refurbed it should be relatively straightforward as I wont have layers and layers of crap to remove - removal of dust and grease from being handled will be the main priority. It is the type of product that can be layered ie does two applications work twice as well? Some products don't lend themselves to dual application.

Smee

[crash]

I would use some watered down IPA to degrease before application, just to make sure you have a spotless surface for the sealant to bond to.

Gtechniq C5 will be fine with 2 layers, you will find it easier to apply 2 thin layers to make sure you have complete coverage rather than applying a little bit to much product as some may do when applying a single layer in order to try and get complete coverage in one go.

Not sure if the powder coating process needs any time for any solvents/ chemicals to flash off after being completed as its recommended to leave painted wheels a minimum of 30 days for this reason before applying any type of sealant.