Wheel Maintenance

Does anyone have advice on wheel/rim maintenance. Yes I know about cleaning but does anyone wax their wheels or use quick detailer on them does this help in keeping them clean I used some products for wheels but the wheels lost luster

They're painted metal -- use a good wax, just like on the body. (Well, most of the body -- the front fenders of my M3 are plastic!)

Careful of wheel cleaners. Some are acidic and will take the finish off. Check with any of the good online detailing places for recommendations; don't just buy a cleaner at Wal-Mart.

And, avoid wheel wax. I tried it once and it turned yellow. I had a miserable time getting it off. A good quality car wax will do the trick.

Originally Posted by lost user

Does anyone have advice on wheel/rim maintenance. Yes I know about cleaning but does anyone wax their wheels or use quick detailer on them does this help in keeping them clean I used some products for wheels but the wheels lost luster

you can wax the wheels all you want, but keep in mind the amount of heat generated down there, coupled with the powerful chemicals used to clean the rims; I've found waxes or sealants don't have much of a life down there. The only other 2 solutions I have found to work are:
Armour All Wheel Protectant, which will slightly dull the surface, but looks better than brake dust, or the permanent solution of OptiCoat 2.0, which will protect the wheel with a permanent coating, but won't keep it clean. I use the AA.

I use Wheel Wax, trick is to apply little amount on the wheel when it is cool. Also, when buffing, do not let it dry for a long time. I was pleased with the results.

Originally Posted by pera

I use Wheel Wax, trick is to apply little amount on the wheel when it is cool. Also, when buffing, do not let it dry for a long time. I was pleased with the results.

I think that's the product I used. I did apply it to cool wheels. How long have you had it on? I think it started to yellow after a few months.

Just had another thread on this.

Armour All Wheel protectorant product applied to the wheels when they are perfectly clean and dry lets the wheels shed brake dust and allows you to just hose off the wheels if in a hurry.

Originally Posted by MBrown1003

I think that's the product I used. I did apply it to cool wheels. How long have you had it on? I think it started to yellow after a few months.

Just had it for less than a month ... oh o, crossing my fingers that it does not yellow out on me.

Thanks for the heads up.

Might cost more but change out oem brake pads to low dust performance brake pads and your problem is solved.

Originally Posted by pera

Just had it for less than a month ... oh o, crossing my fingers that it does not yellow out on me.

Thanks for the heads up.

I hope it doesn't yellow out on you, too!

The only way to prevent the yellowing out or staining is to keep the wheels consistently clean. It isn't the wax that causes the yellowing it is the acidity in the brake pad materials. What happens is the pads and metals stick onto the wheels and the acidity and heat eat into the clearcoat of the wheels. The only way to prevent it is using low dust ceramic pads or constantly keeping the wheels clean if using OEM pads. This will prevent the pitting and yellowing of the rims.