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Originally Posted by happytheman
Ok I've searched the forums a little bit and didn't find a whole lot of opinions and information on wheel and tire care. So I've got a few questions that I'd like to pose for discussion's sake. Feel free to answer as much or as little as you like, for any information you provide will invariably be helpful to myself as well as others.
Do you wax your wheels?
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I don't have to because I bought some quality brake pads that DO NOT leave any brake dust on my wheels, like the crappy OEM ones do. I'm talking ZERO dust. They are Wagner Thermo Quiet brake pads. That's all I use and you can get them at O'reilly's Auto Parts.
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Originally Posted by happytheman
If so, do you use a traditional paste-type wax or a spray on?
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It depends on what style wheel you have. If my wheels were painted, I would use a sealant because a sealant last the longest and is made for painted or clear coated wheels. Spray on wax would be a joke in this situation. Adam's makes a sealant called
Machine Superwax.
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Originally Posted by happytheman
How often do you wax your wheels? Every week? Every other week?
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That would totally depend on what you use for wax. Different waxes provide different levels of protection.
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Originally Posted by happytheman
What product do you use?
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Again, that depends on what type of wheel you have. Painted, chrome, aluminum... it makes a difference.
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Originally Posted by happytheman
Has anyone used the same wax on their wheels that they do for their paint?
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Yes, if the wheels were painted or clear coated, I could use the sealant that I recommended.
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Originally Posted by happytheman
What brushes do you use to clean your wheels?
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I NEVER use a brush on my wheels because I don't want to chance scratching them.
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Originally Posted by happytheman
Do you generally just use soap and water, or do you favor a wheel cleaner instead?
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Soap and water is all I ever need.
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Originally Posted by happytheman
If you use a wheel cleaner, which do you prefer?
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If soap and water doesn't clean your wheels, then you are waiting WAY too long to clean your car. Soap and water should clean anything if you address it in time. Adam's makes a product for those who are not as attentive called
Green Wheel Cleaner. It isn't acid destructive as products like Eagle 1 Chrome Cleaner but it will give your soap a extra boost in the cleaning department.
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Originally Posted by happytheman
I have the stock Sport Rays, so recommended wheel cleaners (if preferred over soap and water) safe for the finish on these wheels would be appreciated.
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I don't know which wheels those are but the Adam's cleaner that I mentioned before is safe on all wheels and finishes.
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Originally Posted by happytheman
How many of you fully remove each wheel for a more thorough cleaning? How often do do so? Once a year?
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I don't have to do this because I address my wheels often enough that removing them is not necessary. I use the
Turbo Stick Wheel Cleaning Tool to get inside the wheels and thus, no need to remove them.
If you address detailing situations before they become issues, they will never become issues.
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Originally Posted by happytheman
What brush do you use on your tires?
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None.
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Originally Posted by happytheman
What dressing?
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Adam's Super VRT.
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Originally Posted by happytheman
I understand that silicon-based dressing are generally not recommended for the care of tires. Are any of these products capable of damaging the finish of your wheels in any way?
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Super VRT will not damage your wheels, trim or paint in any way.
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Originally Posted by happytheman
Last question: Do you clean and wax your wheels BEFORE dressing your tires, or the other way around?
Thanks for all your input, as I'm sure to be referring to this thread often.  |
Dressing would always be the last thing you do.