neglected wheel

Why Your Wheels Need Protection

Rolls Royce Silver Spur II Wheel

Protecting Against Corrosion & Pitting

When examining a car, you will typically see that the wheels are often the dirtiest part. Not only does this look bad, but the dirt and brake dust that have built up are doing a number on the finish of the wheel. The combination of environmental effects such as dirt, grease, road salt, and debris, partnered with extreme heat and brake dust means your wheels can see a lot of abuse in a single day. These contaminants, when in direct contact with a wheel’s finish for an extended amount of time, can eat away at the surface and leave behind irreversible pitting and corrosion. A quality wheel sealant will not only prevent these contaminants from coming into contact with the finish, but will also make cleaning a breeze. Read on to see why protecting your car’s wheels is easier than you’d think…

Although important, what makes a good wheel protectant isn’t its shine. Durability is key when protecting your car’s wheels in order to provide long lasting protection so that you don’t have to clean as much. Unlike paintwork, your wheels shouldn’t be “waxed.” A typical wax product will use carnauba, and while this is fine for paint surfaces, it’s not the best option for a high-heat zone such as your wheels. Carnauba’s natural melting point is about 180 degrees and some sources suggest that wheels can reach temperatures in excess of 250 degrees when on the road, and calipers can hit almost 500 degrees. It’s safe to say that a carnauba wax wouldn’t last long between the spokes.

With carnauba out of the question, synthetic sealants come to the rescue. These formulas are similar to waxes, though contain no actual wax. A specially designed synthetic coating provides a durable, longer lasting layer of protection for your wheels that won’t come off due to high temperatures. This type of product is usually designed for all wheel finishes so that you don’t have to worry about compatibility. The best part about these synthetic formulas, however, is that you don’t need to clean your wheels as much because brake dust doesn’t fully adhere to the wheel’s surface.

The concept of protecting your wheels is extremely beneficial to the life of your car and can greatly effect the bottom line of any trade-in or resale of the car. Because you’re cleaning less when you protect more, you’re not being as aggressive with the wheel as you may have had to be in the past. This means your wheels are staying as close as possible to their factory finish, and that’s something every car owner likes to hear. Do your wheels a favor and show them some love with a premium wheel sealant.

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