Alloy Wheel Care

NEK FIT · #1 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008, 07:49 AM

Hi Fellow Fitfreaks,
I bought a Sport last spring and am getting ready to take off the wheels/tires and put on snows (already mounted on their own wheels). I was wondering about the best way to maintain alloy wheels. I've read in some places that the wheels have a clear coat finish, and that I should just wax them. So... Should I wax the wheels that my snow tires are mounted on (got them from Tire Rack) before putting them on the car, and should I clean and then wax my Honda wheels before putting them away for the winter? I'd appreciate any advice.

HONDAMATIC · #2 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008, 08:16 AM

take care of them like how you take care of your paint

Adidas · #3 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008, 02:07 PM

be carefull with them other wise they will damage very easily which makes u to spend huge amt

feddup · #4 (**permalink**) 10-12-2008, 02:23 PM

The sport alloy wheels are clear coated like your car paint. When I rotate my tires before an oil change (5K) I diligently use wheel cleaner to clean of the brake dust and reapply my polymer coating as part of regular maintenance. Treat them as you would your other clear coated paint surfaces. If cleaning the backsides of the wheel is too much trouble then I can respect that as it's quite a pain in the A&s!

dbarefield · #5 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEK FIT

Hi Fellow Fitfreaks,
I bought a Sport last spring and am getting ready to take off the wheels/tires and put on snows (already mounted on their own wheels). I was wondering about the best way to maintain alloy wheels. I've read in some places that the wheels have a clear coat finish, and that I should just wax them. So... Should I wax the wheels that my snow tires are mounted on (got them from Tire Rack) before putting them on the car, and should I clean and then wax my Honda wheels before putting them away for the winter? I'd appreciate any advice.

Yeah the other follow-up posts were also correct, but check out this article for some other tips on caring for your wheels.

NEK FIT · #6 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feddup

The sport alloy wheels are clear coated like your car paint. When I rotate my tires before an oil change (5K) I diligently use wheel cleaner to clean of the brake dust and reapply my polymer coating as part of regular maintenance. Treat them as you would your other clear coated paint surfaces. If cleaning the backsides of the wheel is too much trouble then I can respect that as it's quite a pain in the A&s!

Do you use a particular brand of wheel cleaner and polymer coating?

I was also wondering if I really need to reapply the polymer coating if I'm diligent about waxing the wheels?

NEK FIT · #7 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbarefield

Yeah the other follow-up posts were also correct, but check out this article for some other tips on caring for your wheels.

Thanks for the link to the article. I found it helpful.

feddup · #8 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEK FIT

Do you use a particular brand of wheel cleaner and polymer coating?

I was also wondering if I really need to reapply the polymer coating if I'm diligent about waxing the wheels?

I use P21S wheel cleaner and wolfgang paint sealant 3.0 both of which can be ordered from autogeek.com . These are by no means the only products that will work. From the research I've done the best paint sealant is Zaino but I've not yet bitten the bullet and placed what may be $200 Zaino order. I doubt you have to be so anal about coating the wheels but I figure, while I've got them off why not. It does make the tire rotation day a pain in the ass but brake dust doesn't build up and it keeps them looking nice. The front of the wheels I treat exactly the same as the rest of the car.

NEK FIT · #9 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feddup

I use P21S wheel cleaner and wolfgang paint sealant 3.0 both of which can be ordered from autogeek.com . These are by no means the only products that will work. From the research I've done the best paint sealant is Zaino but I've not yet bitten the bullet and placed what may be $200 Zaino order. I doubt you have to be so anal about coating the wheels but I figure, while I've got them off why not. It does make the tire rotation day a pain in the ass but brake dust doesn't build up and it keeps them looking nice. The front of the wheels I treat exactly the same as the rest of the car.

Thanks for your input on this. I've also read that a light coating of lubricant on the back of the wheel, before installation, will help to fight corrosion.

I think I'll just try a couple of coats of wax. Right now the wheels look pristine from the outside (and of course the ones I got from Tire Rack haven't even been on the car yet), so maybe religiously waxing and cleaning will be sufficient.

Do you rotate your wheels yourself, or do you have a garage do it? I'm thinking about doing it myself, or at least specifying that the mechanic use a torque wrench rather than an air gun to put the nuts on. Seems to me that an air gun would have a greater chance of damaging the finish on the nuts. Any thoughts?

feddup · #10 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEK FIT

Do you rotate your wheels yourself, or do you have a garage do it? I'm thinking about doing it myself, or at least specifying that the mechanic use a torque wrench rather than an air gun to put the nuts on. Seems to me that an air gun would have a greater chance of damaging the finish on the nuts. Any thoughts?

I got my fit on November 2 07 and decided to buy a torque wrench so I could rotate my tires properly. I actually got up on black Friday at 3 AM because Sears had an $80 1/2 in drive torque wrench on sale for $40. My Honda dealership only charges $29 for an oil change but wants $50 for tire rotation. Go figure! I even came back a week later to re torque them. It's kind of a pain but I'm trying to be impeccable with the fit.

NEK FIT · #11 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feddup

I got my fit on November 2 07 and decided to buy a torque wrench so I could rotate my tires properly. I actually got up on black Friday at 3 AM because Sears had an $80 1/2 in drive torque wrench on sale for $40. My Honda dealership only charges $29 for an oil change but wants $50 for tire rotation. Go figure! I even come bach a week later to re torque them. It's kind of a pain but I'm trying to be impeccable with the fit.

Sounds like a good strategy. I'll look into getting a torque wrench. Do you use a floor jack, or the one that comes with the Fit?

NEK FIT · #12 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feddup

I got my fit on November 2 07 and decided to buy a torque wrench so I could rotate my tires properly. I actually got up on black Friday at 3 AM because Sears had an $80 1/2 in drive torque wrench on sale for $40. My Honda dealership only charges $29 for an oil change but wants $50 for tire rotation. Go figure! I even come bach a week later to re torque them. It's kind of a pain but I'm trying to be impeccable with the fit.

Hey, you're getting good mileage. I too use mild hypermiling to try to boost my mpg. So far I'm getting between 40 and 41 mpg on a stock '08 MR Sport manual, with most of those miles driven on trips. My best tankful was 43.9.

feddup · #13 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEK FIT

Hey, you're getting good mileage. I too use mild hypermiling to try to boost my mpg. So far I'm getting between 40 and 41 mpg on a stock '08 MR Sport manual, with most of those miles driven on trips. My best tankful was 43.9.

I can't get over 38.X! it makes me mad but I do mostly city driving. My BBP paint dictates that I'm not going to draft. I don't want my paint all ate up with chips.

feddup · #14 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEK FIT

Sounds like a good strategy. I'll look into getting a torque wrench. Do you use a floor jack, or the one that comes with the Fit?

I hate to sound like a Sears fanatic as the brand has suffered over the years but I use 2.5 ton Craftsman floor jack. I got it with two nice jack stands for $30. The fits scissor jack will work and I encourage people to get used to it's operation before it's actually needed. I've changed flats on the interstate at night several times and it's not the time to be learning about your tools.

kenchan · #15 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 01:59 PM

to the OP.

as long as you use polymer based sealant you are okay on the wheels.
carnauba waxes dont last very long in high heat.

I use Prima Hydro after every wash to wax my wheels. Just spray,
and wipe down using a soft paper towel. you can get Hydro here:

www.detailersparadise.com

Hydro lasts over 4wks, so on my car's paint, i use Hydro every other
wash. you can Hydro plastics to dress it, over glass, etc. does not
whiten or smear.

hope it helps.

feddup · #16 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

www.detailersparadise.com

This is where I got all my microfiber towels and their merchandise is stellar. They're pricey everyday but have excellent sales if you watch for them. Their "monster fluffies" feel like what a bathrobe at a five star hotel should feel like!

kenchan · #17 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 02:33 PM

yah, DP's a great store!

NEK FIT · #18 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 08:23 PM

Hey kenchan and feddup, thanks for all of the advice.

davela72 · #19 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 09:36 PM

+1 for Hydro!

feddup · #20 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEK FIT

Hey kenchan and feddup, thanks for all of the advice.

You can get better DETAILING advice from (can you guess?) detailers!

good site but only recommends products they sell which means they lack objectivity. Stii has some good info!
Autopia.org - The Car Detailing & Appearance Authority for All Car Enthusiasts.

DetailersClub.com

Autogeekonline Car Detailing Forum - Powered by vBulletin

for the ultimate polymer coating which I can't afford right now.

Zaino Store

You can research detailing till the end of time and they'll argue every bit as vehemently as fitfreaks. As always get your brain turned on (be skeptical!) don't listen to extremists!