Wheels in the wintertime

[JHZR2]

Salt aside (some of my cars get winter use but never see snow or salt), wheels still get dirty from brake dust in the winter.

How do you deal with keeping the wheels clean in the winter? I could wash them at home, but what Im looking for is when there is a cold spell for a while and you want to get them clean when it is consistently below freezing.

 

[rrguy]

If you don't have a heated sho[, Maybe clean them after driving while rims & rotors still warm?

 

[The Critic]

Opti-Coat 2.0 for the wheels should solve the problem for a few years.

Thoroughly clean the wheel faces and barrels before application.

 

[gathermewool]

I leave them be until it's warm enough to clean them and/or it's time to swap them out and place them in storage.

With a good coat of wax, wheels will clean up pretty quickly with nothing more than a spray bottle of water, some rags or paper towels and a good bit of time.

 

[gofast182]

All of my wheels have a coat of Collinite 845 on the face(s) to help them shed dirt and grime through the winter. If I had more time/decent weather I would've taken them off and done the barrels, too.

 

[JHZR2]

No waxes Ive ever used have truly caused the black dust of European car brake pads from sticking.

All my wheels clean up with just water or the remnants in my carwash bucket. Ive never needed anything else, even on wheels Ive never waxed... Its just a matter of needing to wash them... Freezing cold and outside.

 

[JetStar]

Anybody ever try this stuff?
I don't know if it works or not, I got some free and thought I'd try it.

http://www.eagleone.com/keep-clean-wheel-protector

 

[Picky1]

I tried Armor All Wheel Protectant didn't really notice any difference, but then again I do not let my wheels get all that dirty. My guess is that these products are just some kind of spray wax.

http://www.armorall.com/products/wheel-protectant/?select=wheels

I have gone back to my usual practice of just waxing my wheels with 845 when I do the rest of the car...typically comes clean with a rinse and hit between the spoke with a wash mitt and soap and water.

In the winter I typically just use the touchless wash to keep things under control (since I really can't wash at home due to the weather), and once a month or so I get a handwash at a local detailer for $15! Then come springtime I do my full detail and start my regular cycle of handwashes at home.

 

[97tbird]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Ive never needed anything else, even on wheels Ive never waxed... Its just a matter of needing to wash them... Freezing cold and outside.
So this is not a product related question; it's a strategy-related question...

 

[gofast182]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
No waxes Ive ever used have truly caused the black dust of European car brake pads from sticking.

All my wheels clean up with just water or the remnants in my carwash bucket. Ive never needed anything else, even on wheels Ive never waxed... Its just a matter of needing to wash them... Freezing cold and outside.


While I'm certain some dirt is shed it's more about ease of cleaning, particularly because the wash interval isn't as regular in the winter (just when the roads are dirtiest).

 

[nleksan]

You have to take a kinda proactive approach, but the following works, if it didn't i would be out countless money in BBS/Volk/Werk/CCW/J-Line/etc wwheels...

You have to clean them properly, which means OFF THE Car, and start with something like Griots wheel cleaner or P21S gel. You can use regular car soap before or after.
Then, you are going to use a claybar and clay every surface of all the wheels, and when that's done you should wash again (regular car soap, not wheel cleaner).

For protection, you want to have a layer (or multiple) of a high temp resistance sealant, with no cleaning or other ingredients inside, just pure sealant.
Once it's applied and cured, and you have ddone as many layers as needed, apply WheelWax (brand name) to the whole surface of the wheels.

If you are proactive and wipe them down 2x a week or so w just a rag, they will maintain their finish with no problems.

 

[wn1998]

pick up some wax as you dry protectant. I like to use Lucas Slick Mist. I usually take my cars and wash them once every two weeks in the salty winter.

I spray my cars and dry with microfiber and then have a rag with me and spray down my wheels and wipe out with the rag and throw it away. You can also use the rags on your door jambs if they need it.

 

[SatinSilver]

I'd spritz then with Sonax wheel cleaner, let dwell and rinse off. You can do this at the local self spray car wash in a few minutes. Easy peazy.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: 97tbird
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Ive never needed anything else, even on wheels Ive never waxed... Its just a matter of needing to wash them... Freezing cold and outside.
So this is not a product related question; it's a strategy-related question...



absolutely... it is strategy related, but still is related to detail and wax.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: nleksan
For protection, you want to have a layer (or multiple) of a high temp resistance sealant, with no cleaning or other ingredients inside, just pure sealant.
Once it's applied and cured, and you have ddone as many layers as needed, apply WheelWax (brand name) to the whole surface of the wheels.


Sealant such as what? Rejex? I use zaino on the surfaces...

 

[Garak]

JHZR2: You will have good results with Rejex on wheels.

 

[hattaresguy]

I always put winter wheels on my Mercedes and just let the fronts go black.

 

[The Critic]

Honestly, I think Opti-Coat 2.0 on your wheels will be your best bet. It's the best and longest lasting protection that you will find.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
I always put winter wheels on my Mercedes and just let the fronts go black.


Oh I have snow tires for some of my cars, its just a matter of wanting to keep even those clean!

 

[hattaresguy]

Meh the brake dust kind of forms a protective coating after awhile.