Many thanks for posting this!!

Please allow me to digress a bit.
Based on reading your words, are you saying that I "Should" go with the Suntek over the Xpel?
If so, this is VERY interesting, and Im sure you will get many others here who seem to think the opposite. HOWEVER- since Im literally undecided and actually leaning toward the Sunteck Brand - the Xpel is TONS more expensive than Suntek based on my quotes, and if I didn't make it clear - the Suntek guys are using the "Gtechniq" wheras the Xpel guy is using the Opticoat Ceramic.

Not entirely sure I can advise either of them on using these other brands you comment upon, as they seem to have a niche on their own. I will "Ask" them about those other products and see what they say - but right now Im leaning toward the Suntek my man!

Many, many thanks for this too!

(BTW - The wheels & tire arrive tomorrow all mounted & balanced. They used that other one in pic I posted above. What was it? "Carbon Flex product? Doubt I'll be redojng this over as I want them on the damn car ASAP!) LMAO

 

Yes, I have found that you save almost 40% by using Suntek Ultra. Suntek Ultra provides what XPEL Ultimate does as well with the self-healing features. Gtechniq is fine. I'm assuming they will be using Crystal Serum Ultra.

 

That is EXACTLY what they said they'd be using!

Oddly enough, the dude who quoted me that exorbitant sum on doing the Xpel Treatment called me yesterday to "ask" if I had any questions regarding his Estimate. Well, of course the $3200 price is just too high for me to fork out (which he instantly stated he would be able to discount that down-from what he already discounted $800 from what was shown on it) PLUS that he offered to do my entire Dodge Ram 2500 (Not a small vehicle to detail) FREE of charge too. I must admit, the guy truly does appear genuine and kind-and I do wish I could give him the business, but due to the hefty sum I just cannot.

Additionally, the education I received from you here regarding Xpel vs Suntek & Crystal Serum just appears more "Valid on its Face" - if you've ever heard of such a term? (Used when I was a LEO = A Prima Facie Case) Therefore, I am more apt to go that way. Need to confirm its the "Suntek Ultra" though- Thank you!!

Right now Im more concerned w what was said about the "Carbon Flex" product made by Chemical Guys. The awesome Company PK Design, found within this Forum, used this to Coat my killer set of wheels that arrive today! Granted, we all have our favorite Brands but based on what I've read-their stuff truly is NOT that bad (correct?)
Meaning, its better than having no Ceramic Coating at all applied to the wheels-I ***-U-Me?

 

I'm assuming you want apples to apples. XPEL Ultimate and Suntek ULTRA. I find that with most Chemical Guys products, it's based on marketing and hype. When it comes to products for people, it's really what works for you. That is true that everyone has a favorite process and brand when it comes to the detailing world. A ceramic coating is indeed better than nothing or to simply just ease your life when cleaning wheels.

 

I never said their products are not quality, Im sure they make decent products, I was saying their products are highly marketed and hyped up. You dont need 10 different polishes, soaps, and cleaner to accomplish the same tasks. Honestly something is better than nothing and if that was the only product available I would assume you got a great deal.

There is no best brand, choose one and dont look back. I chose cquartz to start and was satisfied with the results therefore stuck to the brand. Tried out opticoat and gtechniq and I can easily say I will be using gtechniq more often, although opticoat was super easy to use gtechniq felt the same way while providing a super slick surface. imo you cant go wrong with cquartz or crystal serum, while crystal serum being on the friendlier side to use.

 

Just circling around to this topic because that stuff they used on my wheels (even forget the name I posted earlier) doesn't seem to be keeping up. Since the PPF guys will be using the Crystal Serum over the Suntek Film, I may ask them to do my new wheels with it too. Matter of fact, this am I sent him a link for the CQuartz stuff stuff I read about on "Detailed Review" and he told me the stuff they'll be using can NOT be purchased online - that only Detailers can purchase it. Is there such a place that requires some form of "Detailers Certificate" or something? Either way, I know these guys know their stuff and use quality gear-so I may take your advice and have them do the wheels over.
What needs to be done to "strip" or "remove" whatever the old ceramic coating before applying something new?

Last inquiry I have is: What brands, products can "safely" be sprayed onto your wheels to assist in getting all this crazy brake dust off? These pads need to go!!

 

Welcome back Gunny,

I believe you used the carbon flex from chemical guys, I tend to stick to the pioneers either cquartz, optimum, gtechniq, gyeon, etc.. when it comes to coatings, I also avoid to exclusive coatings to detailers such as ceramic pro, cquartz finest, etc... not that their bad, its just that when you need to redcoat something in the future you will always have to go back to them for recoating, and trust me you will need to recoat something in the future. They also make great follow up/maintenace products such as reload, liquid crystal and opti seal that you can use on top of your coating.

The problem with wheels is that they are one of the dirtiest part of the cars, not matter what you put on them they will require attention to keep them tip top, having a coating doesnt make you invincible. My regime had been cleaning the wheel weekly, using optimum no rinse, distilled water, and multiple microfibers that have been stepped down from being ok to using on paint and it always leaves a nice clean finish. When I go past that point it gets a lot harder to clean and I usually reach for my lightly diluted meguiars wheel brightener acid base to help break down the baked on brake dust, this method requires free running water in order to remove all the wheel cleaner. This is because I use my car and choose to keep the oem Brembo brakes, but another alternative is to switch out brake pads if you cant live with that.

The red car got ceramic coated (review on that later)on top of ppf, not a bad way to add additional protection, gloss, and glassy look imo, as the ppf has a lot of residue, orange peel, that block clarity in the paint to keep it simple the wheels were also coated with the same coating used on paint brake dust was very easy to Clean but I believe the owner (a good buddy of mine) is using different pads. The wrap takes away a lot of the depth and clarity in the paint, but may be good for someone seeking the ultimate in protection against scratches rock chips etc.

A tip is just because you use coating on the wheel each time you clean I still use the topper in this case reload on them to make it easier to clean again in the future. Just more stuff that brake dust has got fight through. I mean if its safe for paint it would be safe for your cleat coated wheels and one reason why I love carpro is that I believe they underate their products indicating 2 years of protection but I can see it surpassing that timeframe very easily.

 

Appreciate the Welcome back-that was cool

Highlighted some of your words that make great sense to me man. THAT is exactly what I've been looking for - which products to use on a coated wheel that "maintain" the coating and at best-keep it intact. The one thing that confused me though was your comment on using that Meguiars "Acid" Based product, which is something I thought we should NOT use on Ceramic Coated Wheels? Or was that meant to be used when the time comes to "Break Down" the Old Coat, and re-apply a new one?

Also, the PPF is most def advisable to those who truly want to protect their front end, etc -from those little rock chips etc. HOWEVER- you say that use of these products makes the paint "less" vivid and lacks depth? This is something I have discussed with several Detail Shops who apply PPF, and also read about in length. Based on all of this - I learned that the newest "Xpel" Film has the best "Protective" Capabilities, in that it essentially heals itself up more than its competitor's. What it appears Im going with is the newest "Suntek Ultra" that enables more clarity in the paint and actually brings out more depth than any other PPF. Of course this is a debatable topic, but after reading it in multiple publications- I would tend to believe one has something better over another. And yes, like I said-they intend on applying that Crystal Serum Product over the PPF as well - which seems to be a product you give a thumbs up to.

A few Posts back you saw the wheels in their "Coating Stage" and here I am attaching several pics of them on the car - another USB one for ya too! Like you, I now have dedicated "Wheel Towels" (Microfiber) which like I said can be used dry to wipe them down with. I have yet to find any brake dust requiring any additional solvents to loosen it up (Thankfully!) BUT- as stated above, would like to use a little something each time I sit down on my rolling stool to clean them - which is the "Reload or Opti-Seal" -correct?

The Wheels are Ace Alloy "Black Chrome" Model AFFS-02. (shown in both Sunlight, and shade below). At first they came off a bit too "Chromey" but def do have a darker Hue in them - actually pointed out by a friend that they match the colors of the plastic Front Grill and Lower Lip, which flows pretty good. Im happy with the choice, except now all I hear is "You need to Lower the car a little to really make them look better!" -Still on fence about this. My next major addition is looking to be the Armitryx Valvetronic Exhaust System - which I wont go into here. I have my own thread going on that if interested.

Thanks again for an informative reply buddy!
I STILL crack up over this ridiculous post by the Member "Theory816"- Wonder how his snazzy wheels are doing! lol

02-24-17 11:15 AM
theory816
"Its a waste of money to coat the wheels. Wheels should get the least amount of love when it comes to cleaning. Just wait till things get really bad and then re powder it".

Ps. Included a pic right after using my trusty Porter Cable 7424xp on the entire car. (Even an amateur can use this thing and not harm a cars finish!) Used my favorite Pinnacle Products in 3 steps-which IMHO produced a "Wicked" shine & finish as we say in the Northeast!

 

The Meguiars wheel brightener doesnt remove the coating it helps break down the brake dust while cleaning. Yes PPF can be self healing but just the way they market it, it feels as if they market indicating their products are pretty much bullet proof which they aren't. Theres an enormous amount of orange peel, residue lines, and oily underneath you can see that no amount of polishing will fix. I wonder if others have the same issue.

Clean usb, you can get great results with the pc7424 and right combo.

Yes I reload them every time.

 

Which 3 step products did you use? I see a red pad isn't that applicator?

Just did a light polish with correcting cream/perfecting cream with lake country light cutting pad for this east coast rcf, coated everything you could see in gtechniq crystal serum including the wheels with some tic this amazing machine is looking proper such an great color makes me want to tackle my daily asap.

 

From what I read the coating slows down the oxidation process but that it still occurs.

I experienced this in my brothers wheels with DLUX not lasting as long and the aluminum lip needing to be polished.

Perhaps Mckee’s coating would be a compromise in a wheel coating or the mentioned wheel sealant.

Also

Gtechniq C5. Or, if he wishes to use something different, with a shorter life span, Wolfgang metal sealant is a good alternative.

Hope this helps!

 

True probably slows down a lot of other things as well such as keeping the car cleaner for longer, easier maintenance, less chance of water spotting, minor mar resistance, etc...

They say 3-5 years protection which is almost twice than what other manufacturers state we'll see how long it lasts in the real world.

 

Yep,it is!