Protecting/Caring for the OEM wheels

Hey guys,

Can anyone advise the best product they've used to protect/keep 2nd gen wheels nice and clean?

I mean more than a wheel cleaner... i.e. sealant or wax.

When I look up the wheel online, some sites say they are powder coated and aluminum. Is that powder coating from the factory or was it just the version for sale on the aftermarket website I was on? (HubCap Haven)

The reason I'm asking is if they are powder coated, then they already have a "coating" -- I would assume it just needs a wax or a sealant or something afterwards, but detailing is not really my cup of tea.

Any feedback appreciated.

 

I tried my best to keep my wheels looking good - but they do not have Toyota's 'better' more durable wheel paint process (like their wheels which are 2-tone color & machined), so they will eventually visually degrade and chip especially if your in the rust belt. I just use bug and tar remover in those wells maybe once a year, and they follow up with Meguairs Polish, then Ultimate wax. The outer mounted wheel weights also don't help when it comes time to remove.

 

wheelwax.com

 

Powder coat them. My original paint flaked off and corroded terribly. If you live where they salt the roads there's no long term solution, mine were very bad after 11 years.

 

I have an '87 Trans Am GTA with the BBS style wheels that are a pain to clean, so I use Eagle One Keep Clean on those, it makes dirt and brake dust glide right off (kinda like tire shine for wheels). For the Taco wheels though I'll probably just use something like Maguiars NXT Tech Wax or Nu Finish.

 

Mesh wheels are evil. My Jetta has a set of BBS RS's on it and my old lady's car has a set of Work VS-XX's so I feel your pain on mesh wheels.

Clean and wax them really good. My preferred paint sealant is Optiseal. It works really well. The biggest issue with our OEM wheels is the clearcoat isnt the best and oxidizes very easily. The trick is to clean them regularly, especially if you live in an area that uses salt in the winter.

 

I agree. Between the durability and ease of use, optiseal is a great choice for helping to protect wheels from grime sticking to them. Because really, using a sealant on wheels results in making subsequent cleanings significantly easier It won't help keep them cleaner by magically preventing dirt from sticking to them.

 

Ah, ok.

So when this link says powder coated, I assume this is the aftermarket seller who did that? i.e. you're saying from the factory they are only clearcoated and you mentioned to use Optiseal.

http://www.hubcaphaven.com/p/2850/aly69461-toyota-tacoma-wheel-silver-painted-42611ad030.html

 

Don't drive offroad.

 

Dude, props for the GTA!

 

Every silver painted aluminum Toyota wheel I've seen is always a corroded pile of ass. I don't there's any saving them here in the North East

 

Forget wheels. You can barely save vehicle frames in the NE. lol.

 

Forget over the counter wax or sealant as they more than likely won't be able to stand up to the heat. Get a quality sealant and put it on every other month or go with a coating. It will last much longer than any sealant or wax.

 

Black Magic All Wheel Cleaner (use it on the tires too), the foaming one, if they still make it. The last time I bought it was only in spray form, which still works. Spray it on thick, be ultra liberal with it, and let it sit 3-5 minutes. Give it just a bit of hose water then wipe down with microfiber. Squeaky clean. Hit it with Meguire's NXT wax (comes off 1000 times easier than turtle way) and good to go.

 

what about the newer Ceramic type sealants? http://nanosurfacessolutions.com/ceramic-pro-paint-protection/

 

You essentially just said forget an OTC sealant and go with another sealant that will last longer.

Got a product in mind?