How does everyone keep their aftermarket wheels nice and clean? I just got a set of Work XT7 and want to make sure they are in good condition... I was thinking jsut use regular wheels cleaner type stuff and give it a wax? Is there any particular wax that people like to use? Just curious. Thanks.

I use a Mequirs Gold wax after I was my Volks.. I know a lot of people swear up & down on Zaino, I just haven't had time to purchase & use it.

^^^ +1 for Zaino

also i hear Aerospace is wonders for repelling brake dust... have yet to try it myself. and to answer before its asked: yes it is FINE to put on your wheels, and even on your paint if you have OEM wheels still like me.... check their website

I use Zaino on my car but I stick with meguiar's nxt wax for my wheels

plus, it makes them smell great! :)

i zainoed my rims, including the interior of the wheel. When I wash the car, I wash the rims with the same cleaning supplies I use on the rest of the car. The dust wipes off cleanly without scrubbing - but this is mostly due to the ceramic brake pads more than anything else.

Depends on how your wheels are finished.

Very few wheels are delivered with raw aluminum surfaces anymore. So if painted or clear coated, treat them like your paint. Maybe better since they get some tough treatment with the heat, brake dust, and dirt thrown at them.

I wash them carefully and wax them with NXT. If Zaino lasts longer it might be worthwhile to switch to that. I clean mine thoroughly twice a year. And by thoroughly I pull them off, and wash them as well as possible, and wax. Soak the sidewalls in conditioner (303 last time). I use the opportunity to inspect the brakes and rotate the tires too.

In case you are gung ho, do not condition the tread rubber! I know some folks think that it is ridiculous to say that, but I have met real live folks who went the extra step and did just that.

Jeffe,

what do you mean by Conditioning?

First thing I did before I had my tires mounted was wipe them all down and wax each wheel with PoorBoys Wheel Sealant. Brake dust cleans off with just car soap and water and no harsh chemicals that are in many of those wheel cleaner sprays.

i just wash and wax with nxt tech wax. occasionally i will clay them as well.

i zainoed my rims, including the interior of the wheel. When I wash the car, I wash the rims with the same cleaning supplies I use on the rest of the car. The dust wipes off cleanly without scrubbing - but this is mostly due to the ceramic brake pads more than anything else.

+1

Jeffe,

what do you mean by Conditioning?

By conditioning, I mean something like 303 Aerospace Protectant, or Armor All (I know I will get flamed for that). When the wheels are off and laying on their sides, I flood the sidewalls with one of those and let it sit. It gives a good look without being shiny (I am not a fan of shiny tires). Letting the treatment sit there a while seems to make it last longer.

I have used 303 for that, but would rather use Original Armor All as it is cheaper.

Regular wax is ok, but a true wheel sealent protects from industrial fallout, brake dust, road debris, etc.

http://www.poorboysworld.com/wheel-sealant.htm

My volks get the same treatment as the rest of the car. Meguiars 5 step detail treatment. Megs have a new spray detailer specific for wheels for in between washes. Works very well.

wow.. thanks guy... appreciate the responses.. i use meguirs gold class for the car so i can use that the first couple times, and i guess i can get a synthetic wax for the wheels.... cool

Megs is a good off the shelf product. Was my choice for 15 years untill I started pro detailing. A few dollars difference goes a long way.

^^ what do you use now? Zaino? I wouldnt mind spending a bit extra if it will improve the end product by a lot.

would u wax/zaino flat black painted rims...wouldnt that make them shiny??? what would u use on flat black?

XT7 are matte color, i don't think wax is gonna work too well. unless you got chome...

Maguiars on the spokes, Mothers on the lip.

dano.. yea, i have the matte ones.. so no need to wax? just regular wash?

I have Work XT-7's as well. Before mounting tires I put 2 coats of the Poor Boys Wheel Sealant on them. No, it does not magically make them glossy...hehe, rather simply protected.

very informative....Im getting wheels in the near fure and all these info was deff useful....

wash inside and out wheels
wash rotor hubs and brake calipers
wax with meguirs gold
polish lip with meguirs metal polish

^Read post #12.

Here are my winter wheels after 2 brutal seasons of use. The protection really keeps them like new.

http://www.altspace.com/rx8/winterwheel1.jpg

http://www.altspace.com/rx8/winterwheel2.jpg

...and the product I use that goes on like butter.

http://www.poorboysworld.com/products/WheelSealant.jpg