I am getting ready to do my fall detail and would like to here opinions/expertise on what to use on my wheels. I have a Z51 with stock chrome wheels and was thinking about ceramic coating them, but if there is something else that works as well or better, I would love to hear about it.

Thanks in advance!

 

Assuming they will be thoroughly cleaned and decontaminated...

You have some basic options besides a pro install or DYI coating which would likely last the longest.

You might consider a spray on spray off SiO2 coating, like CarProHydrO2 lite or Gyeon Wet Coat, - very easy install, maybe yields 3 months of use


or an SiO2 sealant like Gyeon Can Coat or TAC Moonlight or TAC1 Step Master. - a little more detailed to install but will last for 6 months


PolishAngel makes some amazing products like SuperSport wheel coating or you may want to install Glasscoat Cosmic V2. - Supersport is a spray on that will last a few months. Glasscoat Cosmic is a coating that will likely last a year

There are a bunch of great options out there. It depends on how long you want it to last, and ease of application.

Let me know if I can help you further

 

Thanks Loki,

I would like it to last a year or more. I will remove them from the car to do a complete job, but don't really want this to become an annual requirement, so something that is very durable and long lasting would be best.

 

If you are going to remove the wheels and want longevity, I'd recommend a proper wheel coating like Gyeon Rim, CQuartz DLUX, or something in that product classification - a dedicated ceramic wheel coating.

Then you can easily maintain with something like SuperSport or the other SiO2 spray on products that I mentioned above.

 

Thanks,

So, iron remover, wash, IPA and then the coating?

 

I would, in this order:
-APC rinse down - Multi-X or Powerclean @ 5:1
-wash
-Tar-X
-Iron-X
-clay bar (optional)
- Bilt Hamber Panel Cleanser Fluid or IPA of your choice - I like Eraser (smells so effin' good - doubles as a body spray!)
-coating

While you are at it - for the tires- to make sure all the prior dressing is off - SuperClean @ 3:1 and a tough shine tire brush. Repeated passes until the brown foam turns white

Good luck and please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help you further

 

As @Loki 6 mentions (and I will once again tempt him w PA SuperSport pic 😁 ) , if you're gonna pull the wheels definately coat them within an inch of their lives! The time invested in the coating process will pay of greatly as time goes on and your wheel maintenance chores are greatly improved & reduced.

I've tried a few wheel-specific coatings over the years; Gyeon Rim, IGL Wheel, Kamikaze Stance and a few others. Although it's the priciest, the Kamikaze Stance has been outstanding and was by far the easiest to use. I put it on my daily driver and it lasted 2 years and 42k hard miles in NE Ohio daily driver use.

It was also used on our chrome Z51 wheels when the car was delivered new and went to the shop for full PPF wrap in April 2019. I'll hit it every other month or so with Polish Angel SuperSport, mostly cuz it adds a nice touch of luster to the chrome wheels. Even after 6k miles over 2 Summers, it'll be a while before I feel the need to redo. Cleanup is just a quick once over with wash mitt/leftover shampoo in bucket after wash...couldn't be easier, no wheel cleaners necessary w stock brake pads.

Here's a video from Forum Supporting Vendor @Esoteric Detail about coating wheels:
When I picked up a new toy in September 2019, coating the wheels was high on the list. If ya scroll down near the end of the following page, you'll see what all I did to prep/coat the wheels in my driveway/garage: Cayman Detail

Coating the wheels (IMO) is the biggest time-saver when washing a car going forward.

Edit: While you're in there, if you have painted calipers, be sure to clean and coat them as well. Stuff works great on the chrome/polished exhaust tips too. Coat everything!!! 😎

 

@BudgetPlan1 Damn you....damn you to high hell kind sir!

 

 

Thanks guys, appreciate the responses and I am sorely tempted by the PA, as I love all things German.

 

A note of warning about Polish Angel stuff: It's is very, very addicting. Ya start off w/ one tiny bottle and pretty soon it breeds like rabbits:


The stuff is a bit pricey, yes...no doubt about that but it makes up for it by having an incredible user experience. There is just something unique about the look of it. Dunno what they put it in it but whatever it is, it works. The only complaint I've had w/ the Polish Angel line is that the Snowcake interior dressing/coating doesn't actually smell like cake; very nice scent and works great but I was expecting a whiff of wedding cake when I opened the bottle.

 

I’ll just leave this here...







You’ll have to pry this bitch out of my cold dead hands to get me to stop using it Conjured in small batches from the finest German Crack and Witch Craft