Waxxing rims

[onnfire]

There is a lot of conflicting information on if you should wax your rims or not. Can someone please clarify all of this nonsense.

[Magic]

Wax coatings don't tend to hold up very well on wheels that are exposed to high heat situations, (this includes our waxes or any companies waxes), so you best bet is to find something you like and use it often to insure top notch appearance levels. How often is a variable that will be heavily influenced by how you drive the car and your expectations... Quoted from Mike Phillips

So I just polish them by hand, and I don't put any wax on them. I tried it once (Wax Rims), and I really didn't notice any difference.

I use NXT Metal Polish on my rims. I polish them by hand, and it safe to use on all Metals. My wifes Honda has Alloy Rims, and my Ram has chrome. It works nicely on both, and helps remove any stains. I do find it's easier to clean my rims, after they've been polished.

[Murr1525]

It is up to you really, there is nothing wrong with it.

A wax wont last as long on wheels as on your paint due to the harsher environment. A synthetic, like Nxt, #20, or #21 would be best.

Nxt Metal Polish also has a protective coating in it, so it you could use that as well.

[jmakado]

if your rims are painted and cleared, which they probably are, you want to treat them like any painted surface. So use a wax or sealant and not a metal polish. I wax mine sometimes. Wheel cleaner eventually takes it off though. I notice the wax being gone after 2-3 uses of wheel cleaner. If they are chrome or unpainted then polish will make them look great!

[Michael Stoops]

Two of my cars have painted/cleared wheels (both with a polished lip but I think that's cleared as well) and I wax them after every wash, usually with #20. Brake dust just sort of falls off them and between washes I'll even hit 'em with a QD spray and wipe down with MF towels I use just for the wheels.

Now, I should also mention that both of these cars are garage kept, see less than 6500 miles per year, and don't go out in the rain.






Yeah, yeah, I know.....I'm weird.

[onnfire]

Dont worry. Keeping your car clean is not weird. The people who dont keep their cars clean are weird.

[gb387]

I also clean/polish/wax my wheels once a year(Wheels ~ the extra step....), then I maintain the look with a simple wash with some Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner and a Safety Tip Wheel Spoke Brush once dry I follow up with some Last Touch Spray Detailer.

[miked2]

I'd recommend putting a sealant on it, like #21 or Nxt (I use Klasse SG just b/c I have it), for no other reason than it makes cleaning the wheels a lot easier later on. Much less scrubbing.

[onnfire]

Does the kind of wax i would use depend on the type of rim i have, say aluminum or chrome?

[Murr1525]

No, you can use #21/Nxt on any wheels.