Brand new wheels... how do I seal/protect them?

[4RunnERD]

I just recieved my brand new 18" Limited wheels and before I have them mounted on the 4Runner I wanted to either wax or seal them with something.

I have read some other threads as well as J.A.'s site. I am just looking for something that is easy to use and hopefully can be found locally for in store pick up. What products do you recommend that are easy on the wallet and ease to use?

 

[scoobydann]

There are "wheel" specific waxes and sealants but I dont know "why" they are wheel specific. The only thing I can think of it the heat that is centered around the wheel with the brakes and such.

with that said- if you prefer to buy "over the counter" stuff you really cant go wrong with Mequiars line. Since you have new wheels I would go with a "finishing wax" over a "cleaner wax" as the cleaner wax has some abrasives in it, nothing to be concerned about only that your wheels should be perfect already and need no cleaning....

when you clean them, clean just like you would the car. I use a seperate towel so i dont get whatever is on the wheel on the car. A typical wax lasts 2 months so with the heat generated around the wheel i would do it once a month. I would strongly recommend you DO NOT use any wheel cleaners, you know, the stuff that makes you cough when you spray it....just soap and water is fine.

good brake pads also make a difference in brake dust. My toyota pads leave hardly anything.

nice wheels by the way

 

[Lineman]

Yea those are NIIICCCEEE! What did the cost set you back?

 

[4RunnERD]

Yea those are NIIICCCEEE! What did the cost set you back?

Thanks. $154.76 per wheel and $28.74 per center cap. More exspensive than buying used, but I didn't want to keep waiting for the right deal to come up, I always seem to just miss good buys on used rims. Plus, I just wanted to start fresh with no previous damage. A lot of aftermarket wheels cost at least this much if not more and since after an exhuasting search I didn't find any after market wheels that I liked better than the Limiteds, this was the right choice for me.

 

[4RunnERD]

Okay so after doing some more reading I am starting to wonder about waxing the wheels before the tires go on because some people have said it might influence how well the wheel wieghts stick to the rim.

 

[cfranck1]

I wouldn't wax until after you have your tires mounted anyway. If they are going to use stick on weights, Yes DO NOT wax. They are only stuck on with double sided tape, so any wax might make them not stick so well.

Try Wheel Wax - .:: WheelWax ::.
A few of my friends swear by it.

 

[K.C.]

Thanks. $154.76 per wheel and $28.74 per center cap. More exspensive than buying used, but I didn't want to keep waiting for the right deal to come up, I always seem to just miss good buys on used rims. Plus, I just wanted to start fresh with no previous damage. A lot of aftermarket wheels cost at least this much if not more and since after an exhuasting search I didn't find any after market wheels that I liked better than the Limiteds, this was the right choice for me.

Where did you buy the rims from? Website?

Be sure the tire tech puts the wheel weights on the inside.

Follow J.A.'s Detail Page!!

 

[99blackSE]

If you could wait until you get some specific products from online, a good acryllic sealant like Klasse, or maybe even FK1000 synthetic, and a boars hair brush with a high ratio mix of carwash soap of your choice for washing. Blot dry with some mf that is dedicated wheel only.

 

[4RunnERD]

Thanks for the respone. I did decide to wait until they were mounted. I checked my local auto stores and none carried a wheel specific wax so I will be checking out some online products. Probably going to give wheel wax a try first since it is one step and one product. Depending on how that goes, I may try some Zaino products next.

Where did you buy the rims from? Website?

Be sure the tire tech puts the wheel weights on the inside.

Follow J.A.'s Detail Page!!

https://www.1sttoyotaparts.com/index.php

Weights were mounted on the inside and still balanced out way under spec using the road force balancer.

Reading J.A.'s detailing page makes my head spin, but very imformative.

 

[Orange Skullz]

just use a good paste wax, and clean them often......