Best Ceramic Coating for Wheels
Everyone would want their car always to look as good as it did when it was right out of the car dealership. However, regular washing, scratches and chipping often deteriorate your car’s look.
Many often wax and polish the exterior paint to restore its shine but forget the wheels. As with any part of a car, wheels usually fade after some time and make your car look older than it is.
Instead of replacing your wheels whenever they lose their shine, you can apply a ceramic coating for restoration. This guide is a comprehensive list of good quality, affordable and easy-to-apply ceramic coating for wheels.
It can get tiring poring through many pages to get the right product. This article attempts to make it all easier by coming up with all you need to know about the best ceramic coating for wheels.
Best Ceramic Coating for Wheels
McKee’s 37 MK37-240 Wheel Ceramic Coating
McKee’s 37 is a Nano-glass, good quality ceramic coating. It protects your wheels against dirt, dust, oil, road grime and tar. McKee’s 37 does this using its Nano-glass ceramic particles guaranteeing unparalleled wheel protection.
Once applied on your car, McKee’s 37 covers your wheels in a high-gloss protective barrier. It limits brake-dust build-up, protecting your wheels and spotless clean between washes.
Another plus feature of this product is that it comes with easy-to-follow directions and steps on how to apply it. Its hydrophobic nature makes wheel surfaces so slick that brake dust is easy to clean. A 7-piece kit is also available (McKee’s 37 MK37-240 KIT) with this product.
Premium microfiber towels, wheel cleaner, and coating applicators are some items included in the kit. To get optimum results, proper cleaning and prepping should be done first before applying this ceramic coating on your wheels. From prepping to coating, this kit makes it all easier.
Key Features
- Created using Nano-glass ceramic coating whose good quality withstands off-road driving
- Safe for all kinds of factory wheel finishes like clear coated and painted wheels
- Durable product, made with 9H Hardness
- Comprehensive ceramic coating kit that comes with 2 good quality microfiber towels, brushes and wheel drying towels
Pros
- A single application lasts a long time, even several months
- Highly resistant to brake dust
- Easy to apply and dries quickly
- Makes it easy to clean your wheels as any build-up is easily removable
Cons
- Rather pricey
Adam’s UV Ceramic Wheel Coating
Adam’s UV Ceramic Wheel Coating is a waterproof and long-lasting product for shiny wheels. Its innovative Patent Pending Ceramic Glow Technology makes ceramic coating quite easy.
Adam’s UV ceramic is designed to make the application of the ceramic coating a breeze for amateurs. Its technology is also useful to a pro user as it can be used as a tool to perfect applications.
As to its durability, Adam’s has 9H hardness that guarantees your wheels will not fade even when pushed to harsh road conditions. Iron particles and road salt do not hold to this thick formulation. Further adding to its advantages, Adam’s UV offers years of wheel protection while leaving a slick finish on the wheel.
This product can be used on all kinds of wheel finishes. It will only enhance the wheel without making significant, unwanted changes to its texture or other quality.
For good results, the instructions should be closely followed. Adam’s UV must be applied in temperatures above 50 degrees and given extensive time to cure.
Key Features
- Kit comes complete with the wheel coating bottle, 1 surface prep, 1 ceramic boost, 2 surface prep towels and 2 removal towels among other essentials
- Works well for a wide range of wheel finishes from powder coated to painted and chrome. It is also safe for raw aluminum wheels
Pros
- Gives your wheels a high glossy look and shine
- Enhanced protection against even extreme hydrophobic effects
- Long lasting protection. 9H Hardness protects wheels for up to 6 years
- Makes wheel surface easy to clean
CARPRO CQUARTZ UK 3.0
An improved CQUARTZ formula that provides resistance to chemicals, salt, and environmental damage as well as provide excellent UV protection. The high silica-quartz content creates a hard glassy layer across painted or gel-coat surfaces. CQUARTZ UK adds incredible levels of depth to the paint along with unbelievable water and dirt repellency and a rugged durability measured in years.
Recommended application ranges from 40F to 100F with recommended surfaces such as Paint, Metal and Plastic.
CQUARTZ UK has 70% SiO2 with 99.9% purity. This extremely high SiO2 level gives superior protection and gloss and is easy to use for all detailers.
Key Features
- Advanced formula that gives protection against heat damage, stains and chipping
- 70% SiO2 with 99.9% purity
- Hydrophobic elements. Dirt, grime and mud do not easily bond with the wheels as a result
Pros
- Cleaning is made easier
- Easy to apply
- Enhanced fast action formula
Migliore Strata Si02 Ceramic Coating
Migliore is an ultra-strong ceramic coating that ensures optimum protection for your wheels. It is a good buy if you are looking for an easy-to-apply ceramic coat that is good quality.
Migliore prides itself in being easy to use for the amateur as well as the seasoned car owner. All you need is an airbrush to hit the tough-to-reach areas as professionals would do.
This is a heat-resistant formula that adequately protects your wheels from dirt, road grime and brake dust. This makes your wheels glossy and shiny for years on end.
Another notable feature is that Migliore has Nano- bionic particles with great bonding capacity, ensuring a durable product.
Key Features
- Patented ceramic coating properties that make your wheels highly resistant to fading or chipping away from road conditions. Also highly resistant to UV rays and water sheeting
- 3D glossy finish
Pros
- After application, makes your wheels easy to clean as they are protected from contaminants build up
- Easy to apply using a spray-on method
- More than 12 months protection
Opti-Coat Pro Ceramic Nano Coating
Opti-coat is a long-lasting ceramic coating that offers premium protection to your wheels. It ought to be professionally applied as it requires a skilled eye and proper training.
Opti-coat’s application process consists first of meticulous washing and cleaning to remove all contaminants and only then is this premium coat applied. It works well on the body of the vehicle and offers protection for your car's wheels.
Key Features
- Creates a hydrophobic surface that prevents dirt, grime and mud from bonding with the wheels
- Offers protection from UV damage
Pros
- A long-term solution for glossy wheels as it does not break down or wash away over time. This is because it is a pre-polymer coating that forms a continuous protective film over your wheels
- Eases cleaning because of its hydrophobic quality
- Gives your wheels a shiny, improved look
Cons
- Application is rather complex and might require a professional
What factors should you consider when buying ceramic coating for wheels?
Choosing the ideal ceramic coating can be quite a daunting task. Here are some of the factors you should consider when making a purchase to narrow down your choices.
Car Wash Trips
All products mentioned in this guide have areas they are particularly devoted to excel at. If you are not always eager to go to the car wash every so often, a highly hydrophobic brand is recommended. This feature even makes your wheels self-cleaning as dirt and debris do not easily stick to them.
Ease of Application
While most ceramic coating products can be applied easily from home, some require a skilled professional to ensure the job comes out well. If you are an amateur, an easy to use product is highly recommended.
Weather
Ceramic coating is often applied to protect your wheel from chipping, brake dust, grime and weather elements as well. If your car is largely exposed to the sun, a ceramic coat that protects against intense UV rays is ideal. Weather is therefore an important factor to consider.
Budget
There are countless models and brands on ceramic coating for wheels. Many are readily available in the market with formidable qualities. Ultimately, the best buy for your set of wheels is one which has all the qualities you desire and is still within your budget.
FAQ
Why do I need ceramic coating for wheels?
Every time you are driving your car and you hit the brakes, the brake rotor is clamped because of friction created by the brake pads. This whole process generates a lot of heat, and with it follows brake dust (dust from the rotor and pads).
Over time, this buildup leads to fading of the protective coating of your factory wheels. Additionally, because your wheels are in constant touch with the road, they are highly vulnerable to road debris.
Finally, you need a ceramic coating for a polished, clean look even if your car has hit the road for quite some time.
What are the available detailing products for wheels?
Even with light daily driving, car wheels eventually lose their gloss and shine after some time. A wheel wax restores the lost sheen but only lasts a few months. A quality ceramic coating, on the other hand, is sure to last quite a long time. The two different kinds of ceramic coatings are silica-based sealants and Nano coating.
How do you apply ceramic coating on wheels?
All the products listed in this guide come with easy-to-follow instructions on the application process. To get satisfying results, the wheel's surface should be thoroughly cleaned first. This prepping is needed to ensure optimal bonding of the ceramic coating to the wheel.
Does layering a ceramic coat mean it will last longer?
Technically, yes it does but any application after 3 layers makes the product redundant. It will still provide the same protection. This sets it apart from traditional wax which often needs re-application every few months.
How do I maintain ceramic coated wheels?
Some of the key advantages of the ceramic coating are that the wheels are protected and guarantee a shiny look. Applying any of the products listed in this guide lasts a long time.
However, one should stick to a car wash regimen and use neutral shampoo to retain the good qualities of ceramic coating. Polishing is also unnecessary once a ceramic coating has been applied.
What is the difference between powder coating and ceramic coating?
Applying a good quality ceramic coating to your wheels is one way of showing love to your car. It protects their surface and keeps them looking as good as they were brand new.
The ceramic coating offers a permanent and durable coating solution for you. On the flipside, powder coating makes your wheels look clean and shiny but for not as long as a ceramic coat.
Conclusion
Not to toot its horn but a ceramic coating is more than 10 times thicker than a traditional wax. It therefore provides considerably more protection and resistance to fading to chipping than a normal sealant.
Some products like Adam’s UV Ceramic Wheel Coating, can even last for years on your wheels.
Beyond protecting your wheels from further damage, a good quality ceramic coating restores their gloss and shine. The super smooth surface that a ceramic coat creates enhances your wheels' reflective properties, making them pop with shine and color.
