grambow
05-18-2009, 08:17 PM
This week I am reviewing DP’s Wheel Glaze (WG). Being the owner of two German vehicles (C350 and X3), I am in a constant head-to-head battle with an overproduction of brake dust. DP promises that WG will not only remove surface contaminants but it will also create a super slick layer of polymers that prevents brake dust from sticking to the wheel. In other words, the answer to my prayers.
Details
WG comes in a generous 8oz tub for $15.99. A little goes a long way so one tub should last a really long time. In fact, I did all 4 wheels on my X3 and only used the product that was on the inside of the cover of the tub.
WG is purple in color and has a grape-ish scent. This was a nice surprise as these types of products can have a “chemically” smell to them. The consistency was a little thinner than I thought it would be. Almost like pudding (instant not the good stove top stuff with the skin like mom used to make ha!).
Goals
Like I said, my main goal was to reduce the amount of brake dust accumulation between weekly washings. I will also be looking for WG to protect my wheels through harsh Wisconsin winters. This is especially important because I can sometimes go for a couple weeks without washing. My secondary goal was to remove the metallic particles and rail dust that have accumulated on the unprotected wheels to this point (bought the vehicles used).
Technique
I washed the wheels using my normal process. DP Gel Wheel Cleaner (or P21s), Daytona Wheel brush, soft short handle wheel brush, and a bucket of regular car wash specifically for the wheels (for the brushes to soak and rinse). Then I wiped them down with and MF and let them air dry the rest of the way. I applied the WG with a MF wax pad one wheel at a time. It went on smooth and easy. This mostly due to the pudding like consistency. I let the WG dry and went back to remove the product after all four wheels had been glazed. I removed the WG with a regular MF towel. Removal was also quite easy. I was grateful for this as working on the wheels can be pretty back breaking.
Outcome
Overall I was a little disappointed in the cleaning power. It takes ALOT of elbow grease to thoroughly remove the embedded contaminants. I tried using clay to compare the contaminant removal power and found the WG was slightly more efficient. The wheels had a nice gloss appearance after removal of the WG.
I was also not impressed with WG’s ability to repel brake dust. After one week, my wheels were only slightly less contaminated than before the WG application. However, cleaning the wheels seemed easier with WG protecting them.
Bottom Line
Great value - a little goes a long way.
WG provided a “just waxed” gloss to the wheels on my X3.
Not a miracle product - it takes a lot of elbow grease to remove embedded contaminants.
Ability to repel brake dust was a little disappointing.
I would recommend this product to the person who wants an added layer of protection on their wheels. Especially over the winter months when washed can be less frequent. However, don't expect a miracle product. You sill have to get down there and rub to get the tough stuff off.
Before (but after being washed)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2334/3544525638_6321e422cf.jpg
Close up of contamination
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3300/3543709659_69fe989875.jpg
Contamination cont.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2083/3544520890_0e94478bb1.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2318/3544534730_631fd00102.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2169/3543723533_5d8db6e07a.jpg
After
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2451/3544528156_e6fd9925ff.jpg
After cont
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2361/3543719455_6e2fd14ca3.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2078/3544527218_0e547de427.jpg
Weeks worth of brake dust
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3550/3543722341_193002ce1d.jpg
Details
WG comes in a generous 8oz tub for $15.99. A little goes a long way so one tub should last a really long time. In fact, I did all 4 wheels on my X3 and only used the product that was on the inside of the cover of the tub.
WG is purple in color and has a grape-ish scent. This was a nice surprise as these types of products can have a “chemically” smell to them. The consistency was a little thinner than I thought it would be. Almost like pudding (instant not the good stove top stuff with the skin like mom used to make ha!).
Goals
Like I said, my main goal was to reduce the amount of brake dust accumulation between weekly washings. I will also be looking for WG to protect my wheels through harsh Wisconsin winters. This is especially important because I can sometimes go for a couple weeks without washing. My secondary goal was to remove the metallic particles and rail dust that have accumulated on the unprotected wheels to this point (bought the vehicles used).
Technique
I washed the wheels using my normal process. DP Gel Wheel Cleaner (or P21s), Daytona Wheel brush, soft short handle wheel brush, and a bucket of regular car wash specifically for the wheels (for the brushes to soak and rinse). Then I wiped them down with and MF and let them air dry the rest of the way. I applied the WG with a MF wax pad one wheel at a time. It went on smooth and easy. This mostly due to the pudding like consistency. I let the WG dry and went back to remove the product after all four wheels had been glazed. I removed the WG with a regular MF towel. Removal was also quite easy. I was grateful for this as working on the wheels can be pretty back breaking.
Outcome
Overall I was a little disappointed in the cleaning power. It takes ALOT of elbow grease to thoroughly remove the embedded contaminants. I tried using clay to compare the contaminant removal power and found the WG was slightly more efficient. The wheels had a nice gloss appearance after removal of the WG.
I was also not impressed with WG’s ability to repel brake dust. After one week, my wheels were only slightly less contaminated than before the WG application. However, cleaning the wheels seemed easier with WG protecting them.
Bottom Line
Great value - a little goes a long way.
WG provided a “just waxed” gloss to the wheels on my X3.
Not a miracle product - it takes a lot of elbow grease to remove embedded contaminants.
Ability to repel brake dust was a little disappointing.
I would recommend this product to the person who wants an added layer of protection on their wheels. Especially over the winter months when washed can be less frequent. However, don't expect a miracle product. You sill have to get down there and rub to get the tough stuff off.
Before (but after being washed)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2334/3544525638_6321e422cf.jpg
Close up of contamination
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3300/3543709659_69fe989875.jpg
Contamination cont.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2083/3544520890_0e94478bb1.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2318/3544534730_631fd00102.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2169/3543723533_5d8db6e07a.jpg
After
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2451/3544528156_e6fd9925ff.jpg
After cont
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2361/3543719455_6e2fd14ca3.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2078/3544527218_0e547de427.jpg
Weeks worth of brake dust
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3550/3543722341_193002ce1d.jpg