You get yourself a new set of wheels, the first thing you'd want to do is drive to all of your favorite locations, and you even find the time to take selfies to post across your social media.
Later, you drive back home, and the next morning, you want to go out, only to discover you have your fresh new and clean wheels now looking all dirty and unattractive. The only thing left to do is to visit a car wash or clean the wheels yourself.
By ceramic coating wheels, you can put a stop to that annoyance, and you can also make sure that the wheels on your car continue looking nice and crisp!
You don't want to be in the position of cleaning the wheels of your car every single time you go out for a ride.
Now, after that dramatic intro, let's focus a little bit on the actual dirt that gets caught on your wheels while driving.
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Should you Ceramic Coat your Wheels? — Final Words
Cleaning your wheels may not be a problem for you, but dirt, grime, and iron dust are a problem for the wheels themselves. Exposure to all sorts of contaminants on a daily basis can build up damage on them, and you don't want your brand-new wheels scratched, not to mention damaged. And even if the damage is sometimes only minuscule, the damage is bound to build up over time.
The bottom part of your car, along with the front of the car, is the part that absorbs up to 90% of the damage that gets on the car over its lifetime. Wheels are part of that, and if you can eliminate or, even better, prevent some of that damage - you'll definitely get a greater deal than you'd otherwise get, and you'll end up with a better-looking car.
The question you're probably asking now is, "How can I protect my wheels?". If this is the question you're asking, then our answer is -"You can protect your wheels with Ceramic Coating."
Ceramic Coating For Wheels — What is that?
You might've heard the term "ceramic coating" before, but you didn't know much about it, or you don't understand how it works. Here is a brief but detailed explanation to help you understand all about ceramic coating and why you should coat your wheels with ceramic.
If you want a longer explanation of what ceramic coating is, what it does, or how it does it - you can read this article here.
To protect the exterior of a car from paint damage, a sacrificial layer is required. A layer that will absorb or help prevent the damage that would otherwise occur to the paintwork of your vehicle. So basically, it's like galvanization for the paint of your car.
Ceramic Coating, also sometimes referred to as nano-coating, is a chemical polymer solution that hardens on top of your car's paint and forms a hydrophobic layer of protection. The application of a ceramic coating is usually made by hand.
People with genuine interests in automobiles and car experts all over the world argue whether the ceramic coating is better or worse than paint protection film, wax, or a car sealant.
You can check our article, where we compare car wax, car sealants, ceramic coating, and PPF and see the advantages and disadvantages of each one of them.
If your car develops a fault or requires maintenance, take it to a professional mechanic instead of trying to repair the damage yourself. The same scenario works when applying a ceramic coating. If you have zero experience or little knowledge about applying the ceramic coating correctly, you may get unsatisfactory results. It is best to get a professional ceramic coating job.
So, to summarize, ceramic coating is a layer of chemical polymer that is applied to the exterior of your car or your wheels, or even sometimes the plastic trim of your car, and it blends seamlessly with the original paint.
With the hydrophobic layer created by the ceramic coating, the exterior of your car or wheels is protected from harms like ultraviolet rays, oxidation, peeling, or discoloration.
How Long Does Ceramic Coating on Wheels Last?
The answer is yes. Ceramic coating lasts, but for how long? Ceramic coatings will last up to anywhere from 2 to 5 years if you take good care of your car. Good care, or more precisely, good maintenance of your car, is when you clean your car regularly. The ceramic coating prevents harm to the paint job of your car, but the ceramic coating itself can get scratched.
Can I Ceramic Coat any type of Wheel Surface?
As for wheel surface finishes, some examples of finishes you can apply ceramic coating to are polished wheels, glossy wheels, matte, satin-textured, powder-coated, machine finish, and, of course, any painted surfaces.
From all the finishes mentioned, only a matte finish won't look as glossy after applying a ceramic coating. When a ceramic coating is applied correctly to a matte finish, it will look clean and sharp.
How to Ceramic Coat Wheels?
When your wheels are new, that's usually the best time to apply Ceramic Coating because they still haven't been damaged in any way, and you want them to look like new for as long as possible. But even if they are new or dirty, you'll still need to prepare the surface of the wheels. No elements of dirt or grease should be present because they will both affect the bonding process in a negative way. New cars often have wax, or a sealant applied to them to make them pop and look more attractive.
The next thing you do after cleaning your wheels is to apply the ceramic coating to the surface of the wheels using a microfiber or a suede applicator. As we've mentioned earlier, the polymer, once it has been cured, will bond with the paint or finish of your wheels and will not wash off.
If you want to learn how to apply a ceramic coating on a car then see Best tools when working with ceramic coatings where you'll get a fully detailed professional 8-step guide on ceramic coating application, the tools you should use, and an explanation of how to use them.
Best Ceramic Coating for Wheels
When choosing a ceramic coating for your wheels, you really do not have to look for a specific one. There are specific ceramic coatings that are designed specifically for wheel applications, such as GYEON Quartz Rim Coating or CARPRO CQUARTZ DLUX Wheel and Trim Coat, but unless the coating instructions state otherwise - you can use any ceramic coating on your wheels.
The reason why there are specialized ceramic coatings for wheels is that they are designed to endure high temperatures that occur when breaking hard or often. This is why it is recommended that if you are coating wheels or the engine of the car - you go for these types of ceramic coatings.
In our experience, any good quality ceramic coating will last you roughly the same when used on wheels, unless you own a racing car, offroader, or dragster, or something like that.
You can check out our Top List of best Ceramic Coatings that we've tested and reviewed to find one that suits you the best.
What are The Benefits of Ceramic Coating Wheels?
If you've read this far, you must have come across some benefits of ceramic coating your wheels. We'll just highlight them so you have them all in one place:
The most noticeable benefit of a ceramic coating is the glossy appearance it gives your wheels.
The other thing you'll notice just as quickly is the hydrophobic properties that the ceramic coating provides.
If your wheels have a lot of spokes like that of a bicycle, they'll be a nightmare to clean, but ceramic coating helps you clean them more easily.
Ceramic coating doesn't mean you have to stop cleaning your wheels; it only makes cleaning your wheels a lot easier and less stressful.
Wheels without a ceramic coat require a whole lot of effort to get clean, and you will need more products for cleaning compared to when your wheels are not protected.
Ceramic coating makes sure your wheels don't get dirty as often.
Your wheels getting dirty is unavoidable, but when they are ceramic coated, specks of dirt, grime, iron dust, and debris can't stick to them as easily. This is simply because the ceramic coating creates a smooth surface.
The largest benefit you enjoy with ceramic coating your wheels is that your wheels' best features are brought out.
Ceramic coating brings out the best features of your wheels by providing a smooth and shining texture. The wheels of your car will look brand new for years to come. You will also protect your car's wheels from oxidation, salt corrosion, and ultraviolet rays.
Ceramic Coating For Wheels That We Recommend - GYEON Quartz Rim Coating
As mentioned earlier (alongside CARPRO Wheel Coat), we use GYEON RIM Ceramic Coating for our wheel ceramic coating jobs. We've tried different product over the years, but we are most happy with the results this one provides.
Brand: | GYEON |
Volume: | 30 ml |
Temperature Resistance: | Over 1400ºF |
Application: | Easy single layer; optional layering for extended durability |
Special Features: | Concentrated, high temperature resistant, high self-cleaning abilities |
The GYEON Quartz Rim Coating stands out with its professional-grade results that are surprisingly easy to achieve. The thick formulation ensures that a single layer suffices, making it very user-friendly. Its standout feature is the temperature resistance, which exceeds 1400ºF, ensuring the coating holds up even in the most demanding conditions near engines and exhausts.
Another aspect we admired was its high self-cleaning ability. Wheels with intricate patterns can be a hassle to keep clean, but this coating significantly reduces the effort needed. It's also versatile, safe for all finishes, including wet painted, powder-coated, anodized, or polished rims.
We applied it in sections due to its fast-drying nature and recommend keeping a minimum of 4 hours between layers if you decide to add more for increased durability. At 30 milliliters, the volume is ample for multiple applications or vehicles, making it a cost-effective option.
It's a product that lives up to its promises and then some, a definite recommendation from the CCE Team.
Buy it on Amazon via our affiliate link (to help us grow the website): https://amzn.to/48d1HB4
FAQ
Is ceramic coating good for wheels?
Yes, ceramic coating is beneficial for wheels. It adds a protective layer that can enhance the appearance, make cleaning easier, and protect the wheels from various elements like dirt, grime, and UV rays, ultimately preserving their condition for a longer period.
Can you put ceramic coating on tires?
Ceramic coating is generally not recommended for tires because they are made of rubber and constantly flexing, which isn't compatible with the rigid nature of ceramic coatings. Instead, specialized tire protectants and dressings are better suited for tires.
Does ceramic coating stop brake dust?
Ceramic coating doesn't stop brake dust from forming, but it can make cleaning it off much easier. The coating creates a smooth, hydrophobic surface that prevents brake dust and other contaminants from adhering strongly to the wheels, making them simpler to clean and maintain.
Is it better to apply ceramic coating to new or old wheels?
It's best to apply ceramic coating when the wheels are new to protect them from the start. However, older wheels can also be coated after thorough cleaning and surface preparation to enhance their appearance and protect them from further damage.
Should you Ceramic Coat your Wheels? — Final Words
If you read all that detailed information about ceramic coating and why it works for your car wheels but you still can't make up your mind to decide if it's worth it - We'll just say it is something you should definitely consider doing. Whether your car is a daily driver or a show car, yes, you should ceramic coat your wheels. It will only benefit your car in a good way.