Wheel protection

[TDot]

Anyone seen, heard, or believe this? Or a similar product?
http://www.g2usa.com/product/WheelWax.html

[szh]

Waxing your wheels is not a bad idea at all - I have done that with good results. Also with the polymer coating (Zaino) that I have applied to my cars - did the wheels with that material also, and it helped with brake dust removal for the first few years (just water hosing worked well). Have to re-apply that coating again soon ...

However, some of the words at that site are BS, even though the product may be just fine as a wax for wheels.

The formula for WheelWax™ contains an antistatic element that changes the surface polarity of the wheels to repel brake dust particles.

Such anti-static properties are never likely to last for any significant amount of time. Plus, also remember that tires contain carbon to ground the cars and trucks. Necessary to prevent sparks. Particularly with fuel-trucks, which also used to drag chains from the rear at one time to added grounding.

So, any charge is likely to drain away pretty quickly anyway.

Research has shown that brake dust is a negatively charged particle. The surface of the wheel has been shown to pick up a positive charge from wind rushing over the surface of the wheel.

Really? What research shows these points?

Yes, charge is generated in the vehicles, but I doubt that air flow over wheels causes any significant or lasting charge!

The antistatic element in the WheelWax™ keeps the wheel surface charged negatively. This breaks up the magnetic effect.

And what on earth does static electricity attraction or repulsion have anything to do with "magnetic effects"?

On the whole, I agree that waxing wheels will work pretty decently. However, the hype at this site should be totally discounted.

Z

[TDot]

Ok, so basically it's simply car wax, no special formula. Thanks. I'll try this out with my wax when I get a chance.

[Larz]

OK, so it might seem that I take things a little farther than most peeps and I'm ok with that but here is what I do.

I reckon any high quality products(Zaino, Chemical Brothers, etc) will work fine but I use only Griot's Garage products - if you check out my car trolly in my flicker pics (in my sig) you will see the products I use and the results. Mind you I don't live in an area where snow or road salt is even possible, but all sorts of road dirt and oils get on your wheels and they should be cleaned on a regular basis:

I thoroughly clean my wheels with Chrome Wheel Cleaner and test them with a white cloth. If I see ANY sign of brake dust on the cloth, I re-clean until the cloth comes off perfectly clean. Usually twice is sufficient.
I use Wheel Cleaning Clay and Speed Shine as a lubricant - this removes any remaining contaminants and leaves the surface perfectly smooth and ready for waxing.
Then I apply two coats of One Step Sealant to prevent anything sticking to the wheel between cleanings.
In fact, brake dust and dirt come off with a simple spray of the hose for about 6 months and then I re-do the treatment.

For painted surfaces I use a Clay Bar and Speed Shine, followed by Metal Polish #2 and #3 to remove swirls and scratches. I clean the polished surface with Pre Wax Cleanser to prepare the surface for waxing. Then I apply Best Of Show Wax, letting it cure for 2 hours and I re-apply a second coat over it without buffing the first coat off. After the second coat cures, I buff. The result is absolutely staggering - incredibly deep and clear even with multiple coats. Best Of Show has been winning Concours awards for years. I make a day of it, watching soccer or rugby on the telly while waiting for each coat to cure. It lasts about 6 months.

[szh]

Ok, so basically it's simply car wax, no special formula. Thanks. I'll try this out with my wax when I get a chance.

Well, it might be a special formula, but I suspect that a good car wax is likely to give you very similar results.

And, yes, waxing wheels is worth doing - clean them thoroughly first, of course!

Z

[szh]

OK, so it might seem that I take things a little farther than most peeps and I'm ok with that but here is what I do.

I reckon any high quality products(Zaino, Chemical Brothers, etc) will work fine but I use only Griot's Garage products - if you check out my car trolly in my flicker pics (in my sig) you will see the products I use and the results. Mind you I don't live in an area where snow or road salt is even possible, but all sorts of road dirt and oils get on your wheels and they should be cleaned on a regular basis:

I thoroughly clean my wheels with Chrome Wheel Cleaner and test them with a white cloth. If I see ANY sign of brake dust on the cloth, I re-clean until the cloth comes off perfectly clean. Usually twice is sufficient.
I use Wheel Cleaning Clay and Speed Shine as a lubricant - this removes any remaining contaminants and leaves the surface perfectly smooth and ready for waxing.
Then I apply two coats of One Step Sealant to prevent anything sticking to the wheel between cleanings.
In fact, brake dust and dirt come off with a simple spray of the hose for about 6 months and then I re-do the treatment.

For painted surfaces I use a Clay Bar and Speed Shine, followed by Metal Polish #2 and #3 to remove swirls and scratches. I clean the polished surface with Pre Wax Cleanser to prepare the surface for waxing. Then I apply Best Of Show Wax, letting it cure for 2 hours and I re-apply a second coat over it without buffing the first coat off. After the second coat cures, I buff. The result is absolutely staggering - incredibly deep and clear even with multiple coats. Best Of Show has been winning Concours awards for years. I make a day of it, watching soccer or rugby on the telly while waiting for each coat to cure. It lasts about 6 months.

That is a lot of work, but I can believe that the outcome is excellent!

Z