I have a few questions for you guys

1.) if a wheel is in the following condition, should I spend the EXTRA money on Opti-coat, or just get something like a Sonax polymer net sheild?

2.) if I should truely go the opti-coat route, what products and steps should I do next?

current condition of two that I've polished up a bit
[attachment=65861:20140901_114920.jpg]

was like this before using 2,200 rpm cone polisher and Meguiars wheel polish (sucks) and by hand Blue Magic wheel polishing paste
[attachment=65864:MF10rash20140513.jpg]

[attachment=65879hoto 2.JPG]

not shown well are some areas where a little corrosion has started on/under the clear. it's not terrible, but it's not time to re-finish them for sure.

thanks

 

I heard opticoat doesnt work well on Polished/mirrored surfaces, or surfaces that break into two different kind of surfaces (chrome and paint like AP2v2 wheels). However, it may just be that detailer got lazy and didn't want to clean and opticoat my wheels

 

I ordered up some Cquartz for the wheels and to test on the roof of the car. I'm probably going to borrow a DA polisher and do the roof when it cools off.

http://www.autogeek.net/cquartz-cera...hbdRoCMdHw_wcB

This kit comes with a special iron cleaner that I will use. I'll first clean the wheel as good as I can on the outside with a 33% alcohol mixture and also scrub the insides really well. I got two kits.

I don't care much about the crevices. I care about the visible surfaces. cquartz is said to be a little less permanent than opticoat so when it starts to look like crap, it wont be as bad to remove with polishing. I watched some videos where people even use these two brands on top of paint that is completely faded and or the clear-coat is pealing. It will preserve the clear and finish underneath as long as you prep and apply properly. I'll be taking my time with these. Already have about $1630 into them including shipping and the cost of the cquartz kit.

 

While cquartz has been used by some people for plastic, windows and wheels. Carpro doesnt recommend cquartz for wheels. You should of gotten Dlux from carpro. That is more for trim wheels and headlights.
Also i see that the kit doesnt come with Carpros "eraser" which is used to wipe off and clean the surface before coating application. if you have any Iron x left over use it on the roof as well before claying the surface

 

I've read that a lot of detailers are using it on wheels.

I saw the DLux, decided to pass. Nothing in the Dlux looks like it's better on polished aluminum than their regular product. In the situation where either or product starts to look like crap and needs polished up, the thinner coating will be more of a benefit in refinishing them again "most likely".

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...um-wheels.html

All I know is, if I owned carpro, you bet your pants I'd try to mark-up a product and tell people it's a miracle for wheels. gold mine! boom!

Magic Eraser!? Boom! got your money on that one too!

 

ok well lemme know how that works out for ya, and good luck...

 

A month late, but I used CQuartz UK on my wheels since it has a 500°F temperature rating. It has been on my wheels (daily driven) for the past 4 months and I couldn't ask for better performance from the coating. It is still holding up and beading water like it was applied yesterday.

This past weekend I also CQUK'd my paint. It is my understanding that it won't start to break down and look bad, like you mentioned. Don't worry about that too much.

 

I've been really happy over the years with opticoat on wheels. Makes clean up incredibly easy and no need for aggressive cleaners.