07/11/2023
Sealing aluminum rims - done right
Rims are among the most relevant eye-catchers on cars. Audi rims, for example, greatly enhance your vehicle. Even if the car already has a few years under its belt, chic rims on the tires make quite a statement. And even if the rest of the vehicle looks a bit dirty, clean, well-maintained rims tend to draw the observer’s eye there. Rims therefore also need proper care. Proper sealing is a good way to protect the rims from dirt, at least for a while. A proper sealant also prevents the influence of moisture and road salt in winter, which often attack wheels and rims. You can find out here how best to seal your tires and what mistakes you should avoid in the process.
What is rim sealing and how does it work?
Basically, the principle of sealing is very simple. With a sealant, such as spray wax, a protective layer is applied, which forms a surface film on aluminum and bare parts of the rim or the council and thus protects the rim so to speak. Even small cracks or scratches are sealed and protected.
How long does the sealing last?
It is difficult to give a general answer to this question, as the frequency of driving, road material, etc. play a significant role. As a rule of thumb, the sealant will last about 4 months if applied once, a whole season if applied twice (see below), and up to a year with certain types of wax - more on that below. The sealant does not last forever though, so you should look for new rims and / or complete rims sooner rather than later.
Tips for proper sealing - Step 1: Cleaning.
Before you seal the rims properly, you should clean them thoroughly. You can find detailed tips and advice on this in other guide articles on proper tire care. Remove the rims to reach deeper layers for cleaning and sealing. Basically, when cleaning, remove road dirt, mud residues, road salt, etc. with warm water and soap. Use rim cleaner if necessary, but be sure to avoid acidic cleaners as is sometimes recommended.
Tips for proper sealing - Step 2: Degrease rims
Before sealing, you should degrease the rims. The reason for this is to improve the adhesion of the sealing material, because the sealant will not bead up as quickly. There are numerous products on the market for this purpose, and a silicone remover is also possible. Insider tip: To save on expensive cleaners, you can also mix isopropyl alcohol with water, in a ratio of about half to half. Spray this solution evenly, not too much, on your rims. Then carefully wipe off the coating with a microfiber cloth. This procedure is just as effective as liquid cleaners.
Tips for the correct sealing - Step 3: Apply wax correctly.
Now comes the application of the rim wax as a sealing material. You can't go that wrong when choosing the right rim wax, as the ingredients don't differ much - exceptions are listed in the next section. However, you should definitely pay attention to the following points when buying sealing wax:
Selection of rim wax - what you should look for
- First of all, you should make sure that your rim wax has a high heat resistance. The reason for this is that when the rims are heated, especially in the summer, the wax can liquefy and combine more quickly with dirt on the road. This will cause your rims to get dirty faster.
- In any case, do not use carnauba wax! This is because it in particular has low heat resistance and is known to attract particles of brake dust very quickly, which stubbornly stick to it.
- Normally, as described above, sealing waxes do not take much. However, silicon and quartz sealers last much longer than commercial waxes. The disadvantages are considerably higher prices and complicated handling, especially since these substances can be harmful to health. They are therefore recommended only for advanced users.
There are sealing materials for application or spraying. No matter which you choose, it is important to apply the sealant in two layers. Rub the sealing wax to be applied evenly with a sponge. Spray on liquid wax so that the entire rim is covered with a regular layer. Allow the rims to dry for at least half an hour and let the wax work in. Then repeat the whole procedure in a second pass.
Tire sealing: Why two coats?
A second coat is used to seal areas not previously covered. This is because even careful application in the first pass will not seal all areas evenly, similar to painting a wall. Also, the sealing time increases significantly when a second coat is applied.