I use the same wax on my wheels that I use on the exterior paint - and it has done a good job of keeping the wheels protected. I do keep the wheels very clean - I wash the car often and after every drive I wipe them down to remove brake dust.

 

Looks like Zaino is the winner!

 

While wax is an ok option in my opinion (wouldn't melt at 90 for sure ) I gotta say, even if I might be biased, that ceramics are the way to go for wheels... even if you prefer wax on the rest of the car for filing in swirls marks better...

 

The C5 design is notorious for drawing a lot of obvious dust on the rear fascia. It was a constant complaint early on after the launch. Zaino took care of that issue for many complaintants.

I use OEM AC Delco carbon ferrous brake pads, because they are soft, cause no heat distortion, warp, fade, and stop much better than hard less dusting pads. My pads dust. This is a good thing, because that dust indicates a high level of friction. With Zaino on my wheels, dusting is not an issue.

 

What finish? If you're going matte or textured black (like I have) you will have to look at alternative products. I use autoglym bumper trim gel and it works perfectly believe it or not.

 

they are glossy gun metal grey..

 

A good ceramic coating will work.

 

I've used waxes just fine (in AZ) but I've switched to ceramic spray from Adam's Polishes. way easier to apply and longer lasting

 

does the spray have to be wiped down?

 

Zaino used to make a bunch of different waxes. Which one do you use?

 

yes, just as a buff off

 

Zanio is not a wax. I stopped using wax on my cars years ago for various reasons. And while using Zanio none of those reasons have been present. Zanio is a POLISH not a wax.

 

Actually, it is a sealant. It is incorrectly marketed as a polish. Polish is used during the surface prep phase, and the Z-2 and Z-3 do not contain any abrasives. The Z-PC and Z-AIO would be considered polishes, as they are used for correction prior to applying the protection products.

 

Yes Z2 is a sealant. Most of their products are a polish. I use on the corvette when needed Z5, Zpc, Z2. On my other cars its the Z-AIO. None are a wax.

 

That type of finish looks even better coated with ceramics in my opinion. I do like myself how matte gun metal grey surfaces look coated as well, slight shine over matte is unbeatable.

 

is there any kind of ceramic coat i should buy or are they all the same?

 

So, I am biased objectively, but I would recommend ours (Armor Shield IX) for a DIY setting for sure. As far as the finish goes, in general, all good ceramic coatings would give that effect so its more of a question of how are you looking to have it applied and how durable the coating is for a single coat and for multiple coats. Since we are talking about wheels, 1 bottle of Armor Shield IX would be good for a lot of passes on a single set of wheels so the end durability and performance would be very very high for petty change compared to alternatives.