Ceramic coating the wheels. Need help!

[absolutarin]

Happy Thursday people of AZ!!

I just bought a new set of wheels for my car. They're flow forged, lightweight and have fallen in love the first time I saw them. Now that I have them, I would like to preserve the look/finish of the wheels and I'm planning to ceramic coat the wheel before mounting any tires on them.

How many of you have done this before? I'd like to know from you how to go about applying the ceramic coating. Given they're brand new, should I just do a IPA wipe down and then apply the coating or should I start with soap water clean and then IPA and then applying the ceramic coating?

Your thoughts and suggestions are highly appreciated. Cheers!

[sirsycott]

Happy Thursday people of AZ!!

I just bought a new set of wheels for my car. They're flow forged, lightweight and have fallen in love the first time I saw them. Now that I have them, I would like to preserve the look/finish of the wheels and I'm planning to ceramic coat the wheel before mounting any tires on them.

How many of you have done this before? I'd like to know from you how to go about applying the ceramic coating. Given they're brand new, should I just do a IPA wipe down and then apply the coating or should I start with soap water clean and then IPA and then applying the ceramic coating?

Your thoughts and suggestions are highly appreciated. Cheers!

sounds about right, just an fyi , i've learned this over time dealing with multiple sets of wheels with ceramic coating

initially the first 6mos to 12 mos , you'll love it, can blast it with a pressure washer

eventually however the characteristics will fade , corrososive brake dust is mainly the reasoning, especially if you let it cake on for a while before washing


i've coated a set of wheels for a buddy and front brakes caked on for about a month before he washed, rear wheels washed off fine, front wheels don't bead and repel and clean easily anymore

plan on washing often if you run dusty pads to make it last longer

otherwise, go ceramics pads and go longer with without having to worry about the dust

[absolutarin]

sounds about right, just an fyi , i've learned this over time dealing with multiple sets of wheels with ceramic coating

initially the first 6mos to 12 mos , you'll love it, can blast it with a pressure washer

eventually however the characteristics will fade , corrososive brake dust is mainly the reasoning, especially if you let it cake on for a while before washing


i've coated a set of wheels for a buddy and front brakes caked on for about a month before he washed, rear wheels washed off fine, front wheels don't bead and repel and clean easily anymore

plan on washing often if you run dusty pads to make it last longer

otherwise, go ceramics pads and go longer with without having to worry about the dust

Great info! Thank you very much. The main reason of this process is to keep the brake dust at bay...or at least keep it to a level which maintains the look of the wheel. I'll be using CQuartz UK's Reload sealant on top of the ceramic coating - heard they protect the underlying coating a little bit.

Currently I'm running EBC Red Stuff ceramic brake pads and they emit much lesser dust than the OEM ones. My wheels look much decent than what it used to. I'm not super hairy about washing but not too reluctant either so I give my car a wash every week.

A different set of winter wheels helps a lot so the summer ones will be off for about 3-4 months. I plan to add another layer of coating before putting them back on for the next spring-summer.

[waxxonMTL]

that's about right. if they are brand new. IPA and boom, cquartz. Done deal. No need to overthink or overcomplicate things.

[absolutarin]

that's about right. if they are brand new. IPA and boom, cquartz. Done deal. No need to overthink or overcomplicate things.

Yeah, that's what my thought process was. I wanted to make sure I'm following the right protocol.

So when people mention "applying multiple layers of ceramic coating". When and how does that happen? Like on the initial application I go about putting more on top of the first coat or do I let the first coat dry and then go for the subsequent ones...?

[absolutarin]

Applied the CQuartz UK...profusely.
Curing process has started! Couldn't keep the wheels in the garage - too hot and humid outside.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170721/ff3079616cbfcb65c002ac91fff8d552.jpg

[pdqgp]

Given they are brand new I would do a light polish on the backside by hand and a simple light hand wipe on the front side with CarPro Essence. It's a great polish that will ensure a clean and prepped surface and includes a base-coat of the ceramic which serves as a primer coat. Not necessary, but Essence is a great prep polish anytime you use Cquartz. Apply coating, let flash, then wipe. Let cure, best in sun if you can.

[absolutarin]

Given they are brand new I would do a light polish on the backside by hand and a simple light hand wipe on the front side with CarPro Essence. It's a great polish that will ensure a clean and prepped surface and includes a base-coat of the ceramic which serves as a primer coat. Not necessary, but Essence is a great prep polish anytime you use Cquartz. Apply coating, let flash, then wipe. Let cure, best in sun if you can.

Okay so here is what I did. I may be wrong but I guess this was my best shot...maybe, with time, I'll get better with the process :)
1. I gave the wheel a gentle wash with some soap water just enough to take off the transportation dust, fingerprints or oil.
2. Microfiber dried.
3. Applied 70% IPA solution to clean off any remaining debris before applying the ceramic coating.
4. Microfiber wipe down.
5. Let the wheels dry completely ~10 mins
6. Started with the ceramic coating from the inner rim first
7. Divided inner rim into 3 parts/sections
8. Applied CQuartz horizontally and then vertically. There are bends on the wheels so I used my fingers and the suede applicator cloth (with CQuartz) to go over those places.
9. Waited for 5 mins and then gently wiped the wheels.
10. Took a flashlight. Checked and cleared uneven spots
11. Turn wheel and did the front face. Same method.
12. Let that coating sit for 24 hours
13. Apply CarPro Reload (sealant) to get another layer of protection and gloss (of course)
14. Put the wheels on the bed and make love

[pdqgp]

Okay so here is what I did. I may be wrong but I guess this was my best shot...maybe, with time, I'll get better with the process :)
1. I gave the wheel a gentle wash with some soap water just enough to take off the transportation dust, fingerprints or oil.
2. Microfiber dried.
3. Applied 70% IPA solution to clean off any remaining debris before applying the ceramic coating.
4. Microfiber wipe down.
5. Let the wheels dry completely ~10 mins
6. Started with the ceramic coating from the inner rim first
7. Divided inner rim into 3 parts/sections
8. Applied CQuartz horizontally and then vertically. There are bends on the wheels so I used my fingers and the suede applicator cloth (with CQuartz) to go over those places.
9. Waited for 5 mins and then gently wiped the wheels.
10. Took a flashlight. Checked and cleared uneven spots
11. Turn wheel and did the front face. Same method.
12. Let that coating sit for 24 hours
13. Apply CarPro Reload (sealant) to get another layer of protection and gloss (of course)
14. Put the wheels on the bed and make love

you did good. love the wheels. [up]

[absolutarin]

you did good. love the wheels. [up]

Those wheels look good. I've been trying to keep my eyes off them but finally pulled the trigger.
[drive]

[dparksav]

Those wheels look good. I've been trying to keep my eyes off them but finally pulled the trigger.
[drive]

I have the same ones! What size/offset?

[absolutarin]

I have the same ones! What size/offset?

They're 19x9.5 ET37

[dparksav]

They're 19x9.5 ET37Nice! I'm running 20x9 ET 35

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[absolutarin]

Nice! I'm running 20x9 ET 35

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Cool! Do you have pictures of your setup? I tried finding 19x9 but sadly Vorsteiners don't have them and my options outside of it were very limited given my criteria.

[Acejam]

Consider using CarPro Dlux next time instead of CQuartz. (CarPro makes CQuartz too). Dlux is made specifically for wheels and trim.

Wheels look great! Just top with Reload every couple months and you should be golden. I also suggest taking some car shampoo and mixing it up with water in a spray bottle for cleaning the wheels. Most wheel cleaners might be too strong. They won't strip the CQuartz, but you always want to start with the least aggressive product whenever you clean or polish something.

[LiftedAnchor]

Happy Thursday people of AZ!!

I just bought a new set of wheels for my car. They're flow forged, lightweight and have fallen in love the first time I saw them. Now that I have them, I would like to preserve the look/finish of the wheels and I'm planning to ceramic coat the wheel before mounting any tires on them.

How many of you have done this before? I'd like to know from you how to go about applying the ceramic coating. Given they're brand new, should I just do a IPA wipe down and then apply the coating or should I start with soap water clean and then IPA and then applying the ceramic coating?

Your thoughts and suggestions are highly appreciated. Cheers!
Thanks for posting the process. I was trying to figure out what to do myself. I've watched my wheels deteriorate from the last owners lack of care. I am determined to avoid that. Did you ever post a pic of the mount? Looked like a good set

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[CCS]

Hmm I've had nothing but bad luck with c quartz. Doesn't last, maybe only 9 months at most. We've switched to a non organic, spray on wheel coating. But have now found something that might work even better. When I get my AG M615s I'll make a little video. Unfortunately the coatings we use are only available to professionals.

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[absolutarin]

Consider using CarPro Dlux next time instead of CQuartz. (CarPro makes CQuartz too). Dlux is made specifically for wheels and trim.

Wheels look great! Just top with Reload every couple months and you should be golden. I also suggest taking some car shampoo and mixing it up with water in a spray bottle for cleaning the wheels. Most wheel cleaners might be too strong. They won't strip the CQuartz, but you always want to start with the least aggressive product whenever you clean or polish something.

Really appreciate you taking the time to throw in suggestions! I saw CarPro Dlux but the shipping dates, for some reason, were really delayed by 2-3 weeks. Probably they weren't in stock.
I went ahead and ordered the CQuartz UK with Reload Spray from Amazon [ Link here (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W8APMQM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) ]. High returns for such an inexpensive product (if applied properly of course)

[absolutarin]

Thanks for posting the process. I was trying to figure out what to do myself. I've watched my wheels deteriorate from the last owners lack of care. I am determined to avoid that. Did you ever post a pic of the mount? Looked like a good set

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Just got done with curing process and applied Reload spray sealant today. Love the shine on them! And yes, I am well aware of the fact that these ceramic/nano coatings don't last for more than 2 years...well, in my case I'd be glad if they last a year. Not only just talking about wheels, but on the body paint as well.
Many detailing shops mislead people by marketing them as "permanent" coating solution...

Anyway, I do plan to mount them this week...I'm just torn on what tires to put them on :/
Let's see how that goes.

[djnuge]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170723/d54ab079f54d07edeb518744d90dfd9e.jpg

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[CCS]

Just got done with curing process and applied Reload spray sealant today. Love the shine on them! And yes, I am well aware of the fact that these ceramic/nano coatings don't last for more than 2 years...well, in my case I'd be glad if they last a year. Not only just talking about wheels, but on the body paint as well.
Many detailing shops mislead people by marketing them as "permanent" coating solution...

Anyway, I do plan to mount them this week...I'm just torn on what tires to put them on :/
Let's see how that goes.
I'm with you on that dilemma. I'm getting 20X10 and don't have any idea what tires to run. I know sizes are limited by width but what brand to run?

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[absolutarin]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170723/d54ab079f54d07edeb518744d90dfd9e.jpg

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Sweet! What are the specs on them?

[absolutarin]

I'm with you on that dilemma. I'm getting 20X10 and don't have any idea what tires to run. I know sizes are limited by width but what brand to run?

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Check this website! I decided to go with the 265/35 size Michelin PS4S
https://www.lesschwab.com/learn/article/tire-size-calculator-what-size-tires-should-you-get

[TheAsset]

I put a ceramic coating on the car as well as the wheels. Best decision I've ever made. Everything stays pretty clean :D

https://s6.postimg.org/uw3ip9kpd/b8.5.jpg