NXT 2.0 vs. Poorboys Wheel Sealant

[3Fitty]

NXT 2.0 vs Poorboys Wheel Sealant

I've been writing a lot (in the past) about how I was not happy with how NXT 2.0 performed on my wheels, so I thought I would write this review as a comparison between the NXT 2.0 vs. Poorboys Wheel Sealant.

Having done the "car detailing" circuit, as well as other automotive forums, many people wrote about the virtues of Poorboys Wheel Sealant.

A few weeks ago I painted my calipers on my Lexus IS350 and figured I'd do a comparison between NXT 2.0 and PWS. I had the wheels off the car so I really went at them.

Here is what I found...

PWS comes in a small tub and is bright pink in color. It has a very lousy smell to it (almost like gas or oil or some bad chemical) and is a paste like consistency. The tub it comes in, basically tells you that if you want "the maximum protection" three coats is the way to go.

So, I did two coats of NXT 2.0 on the drivers side tires and THREE coats of PWS on the passenger side. For anyone who knows the IS350, it emits an ENORMOUS amount of brake dust (especially in the front). I don't drive my car all that much and only put about 100 miles on the car since the wax was applied.

The application of the NXT was WAY easier. Went on smooth, dried quickly, much simpler. The PWS was longer and harder and took a long time to dry even though I put on a thin amount.

Removal of the NXT was a breeze but removal of the PWS was a chore.

However, having written all of that, the MOST IMPORTANT criteria was HOW EACH WORKED at repelling brake dust and ease of removal of the brake dust.

The rate of repulsion was idential.... which really means neither did anything for repulsion.

As for removal, I give a slight edge to the NXT 2.0. Not huge, but noticeable.

Given all the factors outlined above, the PWS is back on the shelf, never to be used again. Sorry PWS, but you're hard to use, cost a lot (with shipping), smell terrible and most importantly, don't work as well as advertised.

I think a lot of the internet hype I've read about PWS is exactly that, just hype. I think too many people assume that if they buy a product from a "boutique" type store, as opposed to the dreaded OTC products, they are getting better stuff. For me, results matter, not where I buy a product. In this case, when all of the factors are taken into consideration, I choose NXT 2.0, hands downs.

I did not take photos, as illustrating brake dust and its EASE of removal are not really conducive to photos.

[yalerd]

Re: NXT 2.0 vs. Poorboys Wheel Sealant

the MOST IMPORTANT criteria was HOW EACH WORKED at repelling brake dust

Do you really think that a wax can repel brake dust?

I just think that applying wax do your rims, like NXT 2.0, would give them a nice shine and the removal of brake dust is much easier

[Erik Mejia]

Re: NXT 2.0 vs. Poorboys Wheel Sealant

I don't believe that NXT 2.0 was designed for use on wheels.

[Mosca]

Re: NXT 2.0 vs. Poorboys Wheel Sealant

I think a lot of the internet hype I've read about PWS is exactly that, just hype. I think too many people assume that if they buy a product from a "boutique" type store, as opposed to the dreaded OTC products, they are getting better stuff. For me, results matter, not where I buy a product.

How true. The car doesn't know what you used on it; it either shines or it doesn't shine. Everything else is posturing. The reality is, almost any product works well when used according to the instructions. Next time you're in a KMart, blow $2 on a jar of KIT... you might be surprised. Northern Labs, maker of KIT, is actually a large contract manufacturer. They make some nice stuff cheap. It isn't Meguiar's... but nothing else is, either.

I haven't found ANY product that helps repel brake dust, nor any product that makes removal of brake dust easier enough to outweigh the PITA of applying said product to the wheels. My solution it to use Wheel Brightener from the Detailer Line for brake dust removal. Squirt, squirt, squirt, wait 45 seconds, and hose down... move to the next wheel. Amazing stuff.

[3Fitty]

Re: NXT 2.0 vs. Poorboys Wheel Sealant

Do you really think that a wax can repel brake dust?

Maybe "hoped" is a better word. I figured once washed, clayed and waxed the surface would have been "slicker" making it more difficult for the brake dust to stick to the surface.

I also think the single most important element I was looking for was ease of cleaning, but that hasn't panned out either.

[3Fitty]

Re: NXT 2.0 vs. Poorboys Wheel Sealant

I haven't found ANY product that helps repel brake dust, nor any product that makes removal of brake dust easier enough to outweigh the PITA of applying said product to the wheels. My solution it to use Wheel Brightener from the Detailer Line for brake dust removal. Squirt, squirt, squirt, wait 45 seconds, and hose down... move to the next wheel. Amazing stuff.

Mosca,

I guess I was hoping to find a magic bullet because the wheels are about the only area I don't enjoy cleaning. Additionally, my car produces an inordinate amount of brake dust in the front. So much so, in fact that Lexus offers a FREE change of brake pads (to a ceramic pad) if you request it.

I was definitely going to get the ceramics, but was hoping I could get some miles out of my existing pads first (I only have about 550 miles right now).

[Mike Phillips]

Re: NXT 2.0 vs. Poorboys Wheel Sealant

Thanks for posting your experiment and your results.

For a number of reasons, creating a protective barrier coating for wheels is difficult to do when the expectations are similar for what people want for their car's paint.

There's a reason Meguiar's has never came out with a "Wheel Wax". If the technology was available and our R&D could create a product that would meet Meguiar's standards for product performance then we would have that product available, but at this time our standards cannot be met and thus no dedicated wax for wheels.

Because there are other products trying to capture this market the best thing to do is to test for yourself and do it in a way that provides some kind of substantial results which you have done.

Thanks for sharing!

[RamAirV1]

Re: NXT 2.0 vs. Poorboys Wheel Sealant

Nothing will repel brake dust, but I find that using UQD on my wheels reduces the amount of brake dust buildup. Washing them is also easier. I normally use either #21 or #20 on my wheels for the LSP. Once you put an LSP on your wheels, most wheel cleaners will strip it right off. But IMHO once you use an LSP on painted wheels, they clean up well enough with regular car wash soap, such as NXT or #62.

RamAirV1

[budman3]

Re: NXT 2.0 vs. Poorboys Wheel Sealant

How long did you wait between coats of Wheel Sealant??? You should give it a few hours for each coat to cure for maximum durability ...

[EAT HEMI]

Re: NXT 2.0 vs. Poorboys Wheel Sealant

I have had great success with #21 on wheels, and personally know 2 others (one is a professional detailer).

It doesn't repel brake dust, just makes the wheels a lot easier to clean. The problem is the high heat from braking seems to wear down the sealant under track and autocross-type events faster than the sealant would typically wear down.

[3Fitty]

Re: NXT 2.0 vs. Poorboys Wheel Sealant

There's a reason Meguiar's has never came out with a "Wheel Wax". If the technology was available and our R&D could create a product that would meet Meguiar's standards for product performance then we would have that product available, but at this time our standards cannot be met and thus no dedicated wax for wheels.

This is exactly what I thought and shows the quality of Meg's as a company. I think the easy thing for them to do, is throw some NXT paste in a repackaged tub and call it "NXT Wheel Wax" to capitalize on the market.

Without bad mouthing the Poorboys product, plain and simply, it didn't do what I expected it do (namely make it easier to clean my wheels after brake dust got on them). The NXT was just better. I say that fully admitting that in my opinion, it was no great shakes either, but like you said, I suppose my expectations are a bit high. I've since lowered them.

[3Fitty]

Re: NXT 2.0 vs. Poorboys Wheel Sealant

How long did you wait between coats of Wheel Sealant??? You should give it a few hours for each coat to cure for maximum durability ...

I didn't give them "a few hours", but I would say after th first coat, I gave them at least an hour in between. The entire "caliper painting session" took about 6 hours and during that time I put three coats of the PBWW on and two coats of NXT.

I suppose in a perfect world I would have waited 12 hours and applied the PBWW a FOURTH time, but there was no way I was taking the wheels off again to wax them.

[3Fitty]

Re: NXT 2.0 vs. Poorboys Wheel Sealant

The problem is the high heat from braking seems to wear down the sealant under track and autocross-type events faster than the sealant would typically wear down.

Makes sense to me.

[3Fitty]

Re: NXT 2.0 vs. Poorboys Wheel Sealant

***UPDATE***

Nothing earth shattering here, just a quick update about my little NXT 2.0 vs. Poorboys experiment.

As I wrote in my original post, PB's on the passenger side, NXT 2.0 on the driver's side. So, I washed [just] my wheels and tires this weekend and I wanted to report on something which surprised me.

I'm out (at least) three times a week cleaning my wheels. Usually I do it the lazy man's way and instead of washing them, I just get some QD, spray them down and wipe them. Usually, I ONLY do this to the front wheels as the back are not nearly as problematic.

So, this weekend I went at them with full garden house and NXT Wash. I apologize in advance for not taking pics, so you'll just have to take me at my word.

I started on the front driver's side. Once I sprayed the water, brake dust started to come off and I noticed immediate beading. Nice, I thought! Obviously the NXT was holding up pretty well. (Admitedly, I was a bit surprised).

Next, I moved to the front passenger side (Poorboys). Brake dust started to come off (not as much as the other side) but there was NO beading at all. A HUGE difference! I am 100% convinced there was NO PB's wheel sealant left on that wheel. Very disappointing, I must say.

Third I went to the rear wheel on the passenger side (another Poorboys wheel). It didn't have a lot of brake dust so it was easy to clean and when the water hit it, it started to bead, the same as the NXT 2.0 side. This confirmed to me there was nothing left on the front passenger wheel.

I moved to the rear driver wheel (NXT 2.0) and it was beading very well.

It is almost as though the PBWS was removed from the front passenger wheel, on account of repeated cleaning + probably the high heat. Amazingly, the NXT 2.0 is still holding up. A clear winner in my litte (un)scientific experiment.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: NXT 2.0 vs. Poorboys Wheel Sealant

"Time will tell" is often a very true statement, and apparently in this case time told you that NXT does a decent job in this very tough application. Thanks for the feedback and continued testing on this.

You mentioned Lexus offering a free swap to ceramic pads if you so choose, and also that you only have 550 miles on the car (as of a few weeks ago) - based on this I'd take them up on the offer. At that low mileage there should be no need to turn the rotors and your brake dust will be significantly reduced, almost to the point of elimination. I've put ceramic pads on a car that produced an insane amount of brake dust (Mercedes Benz variant) and the ceramics have all but eliminated the dusting. Braking performance has not changed noticeably, even during some heavy duty track day sessions.

Do the pad swap and then use NXT Tech Wax on the wheels and they'll be even easier to clean, and you won't have to deal with them so often.