When to ceramic coat wheels

**DMW** · 04-30-2019, 06:04 PM

I just bought a set of new wheels for my car. Do you guys typically coat your wheels before or after you get the tires mounted and balanced? I'm thinking that the guys at Discount Tire will probably get their dirty hands over everything, so it's probably best to do a thorough cleanup and coating after they're mounted.

**The Guz** · 04-30-2019, 08:05 PM

After is fine.

**glen e** · 04-30-2019, 08:21 PM

I’ve done it both ways, before the tire and after. It’s much easier when the wheel was brand new, fresh in the box to do the entire wheel including the barrel. Give it a few days to cure and you won’t have any problems with mounting abrasion etc.

**spazzz** · 04-30-2019, 08:45 PM

Before is much easier, just don't get the bead.

**The Guz** · 04-30-2019, 10:17 PM

I should have asked are you installing these in the car when you go to the tire shop? Or will you install them at home?

The reason I said after is that the wheel weights may not adhere to the coated surface.

**Desertnate** · 05-01-2019, 07:56 AM

Agree with the advice already provided.

If the tire shop is simply mounting the tires on the wheels and you will then put the wheels on the car yourself later, I would wait. That way you can clean off any grime and bead release goo the tire shop leaves on the wheel and coat them without any worry about the mounting weights.

Do you have the ability to safely jack up the vehicle and pull each wheel? Taking the wheels off and cleaning/coating the wheels after you get home may be another option...though much more labor intensive.

**Belo** · 05-01-2019, 09:42 AM

i'd think it'd be easier on you the detailer but for reason mentioned already it'd be safer to do after. Make sure the tech has it easy. He's probably tired and underpaid and there's no reason to risk a quality issue for a protective coating. That said, I have no idea if it's actually safe or unsafe.

**DMW** · 05-01-2019, 09:49 AM

I'll be dropping the wheels/tires off at discount tire and then bringing them home and installing them myself. I've had my SRT for almost 11 years and the only time somebody else touches it is for an alignment. I think that I'll wait until I get them back and then clean/coat them just before I mount them on the car. Thanks guys.

**Mike@DedicatedPerfection** · 05-01-2019, 10:32 AM

Do it after they have been mounted/balanced. Other wise you'll have problems keeping the wheel weights to stick. Unless you are using the clamp on style weights then before is fine.