Chaps (and ladies of course).

I'm after a bit of advice, have searched but not found anything conclusive.

Right here it goes.....

..... due to being in the car for around 3 hours a day on the commute I have become sick of getting home and seeing, what were shiny alloys looking black again.

By no means am I a hardcore cleaner but I do like a (relatively) clean car every day.

What I'd like to know is, is there a way of possibly sealing, waxing (or some other method) the alloys to deter as much brake dust and road cack as possible? The rest of the car just needs a quick flick over with some water to make it look half tidy again but I really can't be bothered with scrubbing the wheels day in day out.

I always aim to give the car a good going over every Sunday, and don't want to spend an hour on my knees with a toothbrush just doing the wheels.

I know this may be a long shot, but I know there are a few of you on here that know your stuff and may be able to point me in some form of direction, even if it's to the exit door

Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers

Lee

Know the feeling - there are dedicated wheel sealants available.

In the past I've used AG SRP (which most people seem to have kicking around), moving on there is:

Chemical Guys Jetseal 109 - which offers excellent value for money

GTechniq c5 Alloy Wheel Armour

Poorboys Wheel Sealant

and I'm sure there are plenty others - have a look here: http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/car-care/wheel-care.aspx?page=1

As well as (or even instead) getting protection for the wheels, whack in some green stuff pads. They produce far less brake dust than standard pads so it takes a lot less time to clean wheels (trust me, I have wire wheels to keep clean )

Assuming that with your work cars that you don't need a long term solution, so instead of Gtechniq C5, try their C2v3. Very easy to apply and top up when necessary.

Should just need mostly shampoo and water after applying. Although no sealant will stop everything, majority of dust, tar spots etc will now just wash off.

Cheers

Steve

Cheers fellas very much appreciated.

Will look in to the options.

Coops, on the ball as always and a few of those look like a good shout.

Steve, 'short term' that C2 stuff seems pretty good as well.

I know that I can't prevent tar and brake dust but anything that makes it easier to clean.

Out of interest, is it worth having the wheels off and doing the whole alloy?

I bought a tin of FK1000P when I refurbed my alloys to gold.

I did give them 3 coats but a year on the dirt, brake dust and tar all still just wipe off with a wet sponge

Alternatively (and probably a lot less work) this stuff is supposed to be brilliant

Out of interest, is it worth having the wheels off and doing the whole alloy?

Yes if you want to keep it all clean, nope if you only want bits on show spotless ;)

They will be a lot easier to clean with a sealant. 'Short term' for latest C2 is still about 8 months. 18 months for C5

I've used C2 through various versions, mostly on wife's car. Used Exo, C5 etc on mine where I was happier to spend prep time. Now that latest version is so good, I won't be bothering with others as additional prep is not worth the benefit for me personally. So C2 is now going on all surfaces of car, and topped up as a QD.

Cheers

Steve

I use Anglewax bilberry wheel wax which seems to work.

http://www.angelwax.co.uk/?wpsc-product=bilberry-wheel-wax

preperation wise I used some bilberry wheel cleaner 1:9 ratio in one of those pump up pressure spray bottles you can get from wilco for about 3 quid to save you pumping your right hand to death with the usual pump action thingies (unless you want to!). an initial soak for a few minutes then a rinse followed by a dose of ironx to neutralise any iron from the brake pads that's burnt into the laquer is a good idea followed by another rinse and reapplication of Bilberry cleaner and gentle brushing with a suitable wheel brush does the trick. " coats of the wax on a clean wheel should last about 6 months. Key thing is then not to use any of the acid based or strong TFR solutions on your wheels otherwise it'll strip all the wax off. As you've got access to the workshop I'd take the wheels off when you do the initial clean and wax as you can apply it to all the nooks and crannies you can't get at when they're on the car.

go on you know you want to.....

Cheers Ade,

I can see this going one way, downhill and many man hours on 2 bucket methods, claying, polishing, treating, sealing, repeating, raining, repeating again..... no.... must ...... stop ..... now.

Just clean the wheels and no more

This will be my mission I think for Sunday, the wheels and a 'quick' spit and polish, then a 6 hour trip to the South West region, that should see how well I've done

A ceramic sealant will give you 12+ months of protection

Gtechnik is the daddy!

I also use ArmorAll Shield and find it easy to apply and works well.

Cheers Ade,

I can see this going one way, downhill and many man hours on 2 bucket methods, claying, polishing, treating, sealing, repeating, raining, repeating again..... no.... must ...... stop ..... now.

Ohhhhh nooooooo. I was ONLY talking about yer wheels.... Now if we're gonna start talking 'bout the rest, take a seat we'll be here for some time LOL. Joking aside the wheels probably take the most stick so a little time spent on a regular basis will pay. Once they start to pit you'cve lost the battle. A good seal tobegin with and a going over with bilberry cleaner once a week will keep em sweet.... Enjoy

Thanks again lads.

I think I'm swaying towards some Gtechniq gear, seems a bit more involved but I suppose it's swings and roundabouts.

Next up a decent drying towel, I knew this would only go one way

Found this website, seems to do everything

The slippery slope has started.....................................

Collinite 845.

Collinite 845.

That stuff is amazing, I used some back last year and it's still working.

Collinite 845.

On the alloys?

I've heard it used on the bodywork, but not the alloys before...

On the alloys?

I've heard it used on the bodywork, but not the alloys before...

Put three coats of this on my wheels just after getting them back from the powdercoaters, 3 months later all the protection has gone.

G techniq C5....dirty wheels.....pressure washer = clean wheels...it really does work...but clean the wheels well including I.P.A ...Isa propal alcohol I think and it will bond well

I used the 845 after polishing and sealing with Autoglym stuff