Let's talk ceramic wheel coating. Particularly on satin finished wheels.

[303 Spartan]

While my new Summer wheels are off the car for the Winter, I'm thinking about ceramic coating them for added protection and easier cleaning.

Knowing next to nothing about ceramic coating, this took me down the rabbit hole of various ceramic coating options. This led me to ESOTERIC's guide for coating wheels: YouTube Link

I don't mind a good multi-step project and this looks like one of the more thorough ways to do it. But at over $300 for the kit and a lifespan as low as just 1 year, I'm not loving the time/money that would go into this option.

Then I looked at Adam's Polishes ceramic wheel coating guide: YouTube Link. This is more up my alley. But at just $72 (link to kit) to cover 3 sets of wheels, I can't help but wonder if this is more of a gimmick.

My plan is to make this a new biannual project, coating my Summer wheels in the winter and my OEM wheels when they're off the car for the warmer months. However, at $300/year, it's tough to justify. $100/year is more reasonable.



This leads me to my next question. Which is: How does ceramic coating impact the look of satin wheels?

Personally, I wouldn't mind if my wheels had some more shine. When they're clean, they look good and in direct light, they do have a minor reflective finish to them. But as soon as brake dust or road grime begins to accumulate on them they start to develop a matte black look, which I very much dislike.

If I went with the Adam's Polishes wheel coating, how much more "shine" would I reasonably expect to see and would it be overly difficult to make it look perfectly even (not blotchy) across the wheel surface?


Pic of wheels that will be getting the treatment, for reference:

[davewg]

I've used Gyeon products to coat my wheels (and exhaust tips) with good results. I don't think you'll notice any color change to the finish.

[Burrcold]

I've always ceramic coated my wheels and it certainly has lasted longer than a year. It makes cleaning SO much easier, and does not change the look of the wheel at all (other than looking cleaner for longer).

[SHCKR]

I recommend this:

B9S4 all packages

[BrockDM]

It's pretty safe to say that any ceramic coating that you go with shouldn't change the appearance of your wheels. My dad had a set of satin black wheels coated for his X3M and they are identical to before.

I ventured down the road of coating my own wheels but I found someone to do it for me for $170 for all 4. Maybe shop around a little and see if you can find someone that will do a good job for a nice price.

He uses GTechniq crystal serum ultra which seems to be tried and true. I too looked at the Adam's kit but I've seen mixed reviews in terms of durability. You also need to find a good product to decon wash and prep before applying

[BrandonS]

I have been doing ceramic coatings and complete paint corrections on the side for many years now. I have used many different coatings on many different finishes. So far my favourite wheel coating has been Feynlab wheel and caliper. It does take longer to apply as it is a multi layer ordeal but when it comes to wheels and calipers and the amount of crap that comes off of them thickness is the key to protection.

[AKO]

You dont need to coat them that often If done right and prepped properly it should last years. I use Gtechniq CSL on wheels and its fantastic.

[BrandonS]

You dont need to coat them that often If done right and prepped properly it should last years. I use Gtechniq CSL on wheels and its fantastic.

Exactly. Ceramic coating is just like painting... its all in the prep work

[Lethalsouls]

I have been doing ceramic coatings and complete paint corrections on the side for many years now. I have used many different coatings on many different finishes. So far my favourite wheel coating has been Feynlab wheel and caliper. It does take longer to apply as it is a multi layer ordeal but when it comes to wheels and calipers and the amount of crap that comes off of them thickness is the key to protection.

Does the feynlab wheel product have self healing properties?

[303 Spartan]

I ventured down the road of coating my own wheels but I found someone to do it for me for $170 for all 4. Maybe shop around a little and see if you can find someone that will do a good job for a nice price.

Admittedly, I hadn't considered sourcing this out. I was hoping this was a project I could take on myself. But I want to ensure it's done right. For ~$200 I suppose I'd consider paying someone experienced to do it right with the proper prep work and high quality coating. Especially if it's going to last 3+ years.

I have been doing ceramic coatings and complete paint corrections on the side for many years now. I have used many different coatings on many different finishes. So far my favourite wheel coating has been Feynlab wheel and caliper. It does take longer to apply as it is a multi layer ordeal but when it comes to wheels and calipers and the amount of crap that comes off of them thickness is the key to protection.

Thanks for the recommendation. Watching the ESOTERIC guide, I was very intrigued until he said "1-2 years" longevity towards the end. That's where he lost me. But I don't mind doing a more expensive multi-step application like that, so long as I know it will last a minimum of 2 years. I'll look into Feynlab.

[BrandonS]

Does the feynlab wheel product have self healing properties?

Depends on the level of coating you go with. The wheel and caliper is not a self healing product but it serves a different purpose then ceramic for bodywork. Its designed to be thick and for high heat application

[BrandonS]

Admittedly, I hadn't considered sourcing this out. I was hoping this was a project I could take on myself. But I want to ensure it's done right. For ~$200 I suppose I'd consider paying someone experienced to do it right with the proper prep work and high quality coating. Especially if it's going to last 3+ years.



Thanks for the recommendation. Watching the ESOTERIC guide, I was very intrigued until he said "1-2 years" longevity towards the end. That's where he lost me. But I don't mind doing a more expensive multi-step application like that, so long as I know it will last a minimum of 2 years. I'll look into Feynlab.

Its hard to find a proper wheel and caliper coating that is proven to last longer then that. No coating is going to make the wheels invisible and there are many variables that come in to play... How much you drive, how hard you drive, how hot the brakes get, climate, sand, salt, etc.. I coated the winter wheels on my old S4 when i got the car and ran those for 3 seasons and they held up great, super easy to keep clean and stayed very glossy

[BrockDM]

Admittedly, I hadn't considered sourcing this out. I was hoping this was a project I could take on myself. But I want to ensure it's done right. For ~$200 I suppose I'd consider paying someone experienced to do it right with the proper prep work and high quality coating. Especially if it's going to last 3+ years.

I was looking to take it on myself until I started shopping around for everything and came to realize I can get it done right for almost less and save the time haha.

Overall though I love ceramic coating on wheels. My winter ones clean up so easily now. Anytime I get a new set I send them straight to him first lol. Definitely worth the money

[JWreck]

Check out Obsessed Garage. I personally wouldn’t expect to get more than 1 year on any coating...but it’s still worth it.

I had my AMG forged satin black wheels coated and there was no change to the finish. Or maybe was a bit more rich, but didn’t add gloss.

[303 Spartan]

Check out Obsessed Garage. I personally wouldn’t expect to get more than 1 year on any coating...but it’s still worth it.

I had my AMG forged satin black wheels coated and there was no change to the finish. Or maybe was a bit more rich, but didn’t add gloss.

I'll definitely take a look at Obsessed Garage. I've heard of them at one point. If I can do it myself for ~$100/year, then 12-18 months longevity is perfectly fine. I'll re-coat each set of wheels in their respective "off" seasons. In fact, I kind of like the idea of adding a new maintenance project to the mix since these days I tend to have less to tinker with on my cars.

So I suppose the real question is, which option should I go with?

It sounds like the quality options are:

GYEON Q2 (link)
Dlux Cquartz (link)
Gtechniq (link)
Feynlab (link)
Adam's polishes Kit(link)

For 12 months of protection, I imagine all will work fine. Definitely still open to thoughts/ideas.