Note: a std disclaimer, if you are an expert, keep doing what you do, if you are a detailing newbie, this might help you.....


For those that have read my detail process, you realize my mission is to find products/procedures that are fast, complete but still very effective and durable.. I don’t have time to spend all day cleaning my car, I’d rather be driving or doing another project. I also have back problems and bending over sitting on the ground is not good for me, and I'm lazy. LOL. Wheels are particularly a PIA to clean/maintain, as they have so many nooks and crannies where dirt can get, and it takes time to clean them out. Especially with the my Forgeline or the Z06 wheels , which are quite complex. So here’s my procedure I recently did. It uses two new products; one, a cleaner that attacks brake dust, even the dust you can’t see, and a next gen spray on/hose off silica ( think glass) sealant , that is formulated to spread with water. So forget all those hours of waxing on something like REJEX or NXT, and then having to go back and buff it out of the nooks and crannies. Lotta bending over, which I don’t like.

For this review, I'll leave the wheel on the car, those of you with OCD will want to remove the wheel. Mine come off every fall , for a total clean.

So my wheel before starting looks like this - pretty clean right? Please no comments about the wheel being clean, this is just to outline the procedure, imagine a dirty wheel if you want....LOL .....Note: if your wheel is really dirty, it may take multiple applications of Sonax, before moving to the Hydro2....


So first we’ll wet the wheel and spray on the "Sonax Wheel Cleaner Plus". The neat feature of this, like other anti-iron cleaners, is when it finds dirt and brake dust, it shows you by turning red/purple. This product is certified safe for all types and finishes of wheels. It is Ph neutral. Now we let it dwell for a few minutes, and then use a super soft boars brush to agitate the surface. I use a bendable Daytona speedmaster brush for the barrels. (no, the cleaner is not staining the brake rotors in this pic)



now we just rinse with a hose. At this point I will also clean the tire, in a conventional manner, using the Blackfire Tire Cleaner. Then while it’s still wet, apply the Hydro2 "water sealant" with just spraying …4-5 quick spritzes gets it…The spray is diluted 3:1, so a small bottle lasts at least a year if you use it monthly. I have been told it can streak if done with bright direct overhead sunlight on the wheel, but I have not experienced that yet. This is not some "as seen in TV" scam miracle product, Hydro2 is from the mfr of Cquartz, CarPro. NOTE: not to be used with the Z06-7 Carbon Ceramic brakes



Now the unique part. Now hit it again with the hose, AS HARD AS YOU CAN GET THE HOSE STREAM…THE HARDER THE BLAST THE BETTER! Some even use a pressure washer on it.



The surface will slightly foam for a nanosec, and the sealant will spread to all the nooks and crannies of the wheel, not leaving any product on the tires.



Now in keeping with my "fast and easy" mission parameter, I use a cordless leaf blower to dry. The water flies off with the blower, due to the super hydrophobic behavior of the sealant. You can hit it with a weave towel after, but you really wont need to.



done for 3-6 months, brake dust now comes off well with just a hose blast.



Time start to finish per wheel about 6 minutes....

Hope you like this, there are many great products, this is just One EASY WAY to do it.

Products and tools:



Brushes - A soft Boars hair brush & a Daytona Speedmaster
one waffle weave towel for drying (optional)
Sonax Wheel Cleaner Plus
CarPro Hydro2 sealant
Blackfire Gel Tire Cleaner
Cordless leaf blower


Note: I just use this for the wheels, as I like other stuff for the paint, but many use it for everything, Here’s a youtube vid from Corey at Car Pro:


UPDATE: Guyeon WETCOAT also works well.....another si02 product in spray.

 

An excellent tutorial...Thank you!

As soon as I get a 50+ degree day(which could be quite awhile), this is 1st on my agenda.

-M

 

Thank you for the information. Can't wait to try it.

 

Thanks for the great write up as always Glen. I put Opti-Coat on the rims when I first got them. Do you think using the CarPro Hydro2 sealant over that would be helpful still or would that be unnecessary?

 

Probably unnecessary to do this procedure, I wrote it for those slaving away using conventional waxes and sealants, that take a q-tip and buff time to get off… But I think you'd be okay , ask Cory at Car Pro US. These wheels above of mine have OC on the barrels, not the faces..

I used to use Rejex for this, what a tedious procedure.....and 2 months later you'd still find a lug nut or cranny with white haze on it!......LOL

So I moved to a WOWA product like Crystal Seal, but it still needed to be wiped on, and I still could not get down deep in the lug nut area....as this does....

 

Thanks Glen. Awesome write up like always. Good timing too!

 

Thanks Glen! I just picked up the stuff in the OP as I'm one who spends an hour per wheel when I'm detailing. I currently use Rejex as well and it is time consuming.

 

Looks like it saves a lot of back bending work. Not my favorite way as well.

 

You will need to find a sprayer that sprays wide and fine, this sprayer came on the top of my reload product, which i dont use anymore.

 

Yes, I picked up an 8 oz spray bottle as well. Thanks.

 

Awesome!

 

I have the machine faced wheels which I believe are painted. Any issues with using the Sonax on those?

 

 

I addressed that and it's also in the prod info:

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/sonax...l#.VM_5yoY8KrU

You'll be fine.

 

Sorry about that. Thanks for the link!

 

Looks like a cool product - it's pretty pricey, I'm guessing a little concentrate goes a long way - especially if you are just using it for wheels.

 

At first glance, yes, but it is sold as a concentrate, you mix 3:1 with water so $20 worth should last you a couple years , using it monthly.

 

Well done, Glen! Thanks for posting this.

 

I got to try this when my car gets here, thanks for the info! Well done.

 

As always great info Glen. This is really helpful. Thanks