If you have just refurbished your wheels, you will want to give them the best protection possible. This can be achieved by using a quality wheel wax, which is often referred to as a sealant that protects the wheel from dirt and debris.
The best wheel wax is the Chemical Guys Wheel Guard Sealant, which can be used on any type of wheel for up to 8 months of protection.
Another benefit of using a wheel wax is that it makes cleaning them more easily as it applies a clear barrier against dirt. Therefore you will not have to use as much wheel cleaner to remove tough brake dust.
Table of Contents
Best Wheel Protectant
| Wheel Sealant | Durability | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Guys Wheel Guard | 8 Months | Paste |
| Poorboys Wheel Sealant | 6 Months | Paste |
| Surf City Garage 475 | 3 Month | Paste |
| Sonax Wheel Rim Shield | 2 Months | Spray |
| Smartwax Rim Wax | 3 Months | Paste |
Wheel sealant is very durable and can last between 3 to 12 months depending on your type of sealant used. The small upfront cost for wheel sealant can save you hundreds of dollars on another wheel refurbishment due to poor maintenance.
Many people may use a protective car wax on their wheels as a form of protection but it will not be as effective as a wheel sealant. Unlike the paintwork, the wheels are subject to brake dust and generally more dirt and debris, which needs a stronger wax.
Below is a list of the best wheel sealants that will not only protect the wheels from contamination but also make cleaning them more easier.
Chemical Guys Max Coat Wheel Guard
The Chemical Guys Max Coat is a high quality wheel sealant that repels brake dust, road grime and tough dirt that tend to cling to wheels. This type of dirt is a known cause of corrosion to diamond cut and polished wheels.
Features of the Chemical Guys Max Coat include:
- High gloss wet shine to the wheels
- Safe on all wheel finishes and easy to apply
- Claims to reduce brake dust build up by 75%
- 8 months protection
- Resist high braking temperatures
For those that use performance brake pads that produce heat and a lot of dust, this wheel wax is perfect. The resistance to heat and claim of 75% reduction in brake dust can save you a lot of time cleaning your wheels.
Overall, this Chemical Guys is the best wheel wax for the money and provide a long lasting protective layer that provide a high gloss shine.
Poorboy’s World Wheel Sealant
Poorboy’s World is a fairly niche detailing brand that produce a wide variety of products. Their wheel sealant is one of their best products and completely seals out contamination, which allows your wheel to remain protected.
Features of the Poorboy’s Wheel Sealant includes:
- Repels brake dust
- Watermelon scent
- Easy application that leaves no residue
- Suitable for aluminum, coated, chrome and painted wheels
- Provides a great shine for many weeks
We have been using this product for many years and highly recommend this wheel wax for all-round protection. You can see that it is protecting the wheel due to the amount of water beading on the wheels are spraying them with water.
Overall, it is the one of the best wheel sealant products that completely seals your wheels against any contamination and makes cleaning your wheels much easier.
Surf City Garage Diamond Edge Wheel Wax
The Surf City Wheel Wax is fairly unique because not only is it a wheel wax, it also cleans the wheels in order to tackle tough brake dust and defects. It is a one-step method to achieving shiny wheels that stay clean and protect against contamination.
Features of the Surf City Garage Diamond Edge Wheel Wax include:
- Resin based formula
- Durable and withstand high temperatures
- Suitable for clear coated and polished wheels
- Easy application that lasts months
Overall, if you are looking for a wheel wax that not only protects but also shines, this is the best option. Surf City Garage claim that it is an “out of the box” solution and when compared to alternatives, it is fairly cheap too.
Sonax 04363000 Wheel Rim Shield
The Sonax 0436300 is in the form of a spray as opposed to a paste substance such as the alternatives above. As it is a spray, it is far quicker and easier to put onto the wheel and still protects it against tar, road grime and other dirt.
Other features of the Sonax 0436300 Wheel Rim Shield include:
- Protection for up to 6 weeks
- Self cleaning properties
- Suitable for all wheels
- Provides a brilliant shine
In terms of application, it does require a dwell period of 1 hour but after that, it will harden and your wheels are protected. It is slightly on the expensive side of things in terms considering its lifespan on the rim, however the ease of use may be very desirable for many people.
10100 RimWax Ultimate Shine and Protection
Other features of the Smartwax 10100 Rim Wax include:
- Protects for up to 3 months
- Claims to reduce brake dust by up to 75%
- Safe for all wheel finishes
- Removes bonded brake dust and oxidation
- Bubblegum scent
The RimWax provides the best wheel wax for shine and still provides great protection. However, it is fairly pricey considering both the Poorboy’s World and Chemical Guys alternative is far cheaper.
Wheel Wax Buying Guide
Protecting your wheels is highly advised as once oxidation occurs, they will never be the same. However, using a suitable wheel wax will help extend the lifespan of the wheels as well as making them easily to clean. Due to the wax making the surface slippery, brake dust will slide against the surface and not cling. This means when it comes to washing the wheels, you could simply spray them with an electric pressure washer and it will be come completely dust and debris free.
Wheel wax is often referred to as a wheel sealant or wheel protectant but they all provide the same result. To help make an informed buying decision, we have produced the below buying guide regarding wheel waxes.
Paste vs Spray
When it comes to protecting your wheels, you will want the product to be as durable and long lasting as possible. The best way of doing this is using a wheel wax that is in a paste form as they hold these qualities. However, it is not always possible to have the time to use this types of waxes.
Spray wheel protectant products such as the Sonax are great but they are not as long lasting and can sometimes produce a mild haze on the wheel. We strongly recommend using the paste types of wheel wax for the best results.
How To Apply Wheel Sealant
Applying wheel sealant should not be a “wipe on, wipe off” type of job. To apply wheel sealant, use the following steps:
- Clean wheels thoroughly.
- Dry wheels and ensure there are no water droplets.
- Spread wheel sealant on wheels in thin layers.
- Spread inside wheel lugs and inside of spokes.
- Let it cure and haze for 10 minutes (or longer for certain products).
- Wipe off residue and enjoy the shine and protection.
It is that simple but ensure the wheels are completely dry for the sealant to work properly and you let it settle for the designated time before wiping clear.
Increasing Durability
Many of the wheel waxes can be layered for additional longevity of the product. The Poorboys World wheel sealant even recommend that you do this to increase the durability of the product. Most wheel waxes can last approximately 6 months but many premium examples can last far longer.
Conclusion
If you have expensive wheels that you want to keep protected or you simply want to repel brake dust, then a wheel sealant or wax is what you require. They are relatively affordable and simple to apply, which is why they are so popular among enthusiasts.
All of our recommendations cover a wide range of waxes that are suitable for your wheels. We highly recommend using a paste wheel wax that you can add multiple layers to for extra protection against potential contamination.
