Need Some Direction

[r1racer]

It's been a while since I really gave a sh!t about washing my cars but I recently bought a Gray GT350 and need some suggestions on some good products to use. Biggest issue is the brake dust that gets all over the wheels and lower panels. I don't want to have to wash it after every drive so I am thinking some sort of waterless. Just looking for an overall decent setup for wash, wax and maintenance. Also a good tire dressing (non glossy and dark) that lasts. Budget is 150-200.

I have a DA polisher, pads, hand pump and that's about it.

[DogRescuer]

I'll comment on the wheels and let those with MUCH more experience talk about the rest. For the first wheel cleaning id use Megs Wheel Brightener and some assorted brushes and rinse until the cows come home. Never allowing the wheels to ever get that bad again. For the future wheel cleaning you can use what's ever leftover from cleaning the body, make sure WHAT EVER touches the wheels never touches the paint. Similar for the tires, first real cleaning Megs Super Degreaser at 4:1 which you can dilute at 10:1 for interiors. Scrub rinse twice , dry wheel. When tires are dry dress them, as long as tires don't get nasty follow instructions for future wheel maintenance. Just my two cents.
Steve

[howardm4]

For tire dressing, look into OptiBond Tire Gel or GTechniq T1

[DogRescuer]

For tire dressing, look into OptiBond Tire Gel or GTechniq T1

That's my choice, but that's just me.Opti I mean.

[r1racer]

How about a good brake dust repellant? Maybe Armor All 78482?

[DogRescuer]

Honestly I never realized that brake dust gets on body panels.

[r1racer]

Honestly I never realized that brake dust gets on body panels.

For the wheel.

[howardm4]

I've used Armor All 17889 Outlast Brake Dust Repellent and also GTechniq C5 wheel armour. Much better results/longevity w/ the C5.

I may also try OptiSeal or Hydro2 on the wheels. The nice thing is you test 4 different products at once

IMO, the wheels need to be super clean ala IronX, wash, IPA sequence first in order to get most any of this stuff to work.

[Goonie75]

Morning. Other folks may have other options but maybe a wheel sealant. Like a silica spray maybe or https://www.autogeek.net/wheelwax.html

Sent from my SM-G935V using Autogeekonline mobile app

[Paul A.]

I agree with Steve's (DogRescuer) recommendations on both products Megs Wheel Brightener for wheels and Super Degreaser for tires and wheel wells. I have had good success with maintaining mine over time with both of those products. Plus they are cost easy.

I also hit my wheels with Iron X and more frequently than my paint, i.e about every 4th wash. Brake dust seems to introduce metallic bits and pieces on the wheels and to a certain extent onto the lower paint panels onto what I call a "throw area".

Another process I maintain now is a decent wheel and tire sidewall coating. They last much longer and provide easier maintenance when cleaning. I have used Wheel Wax as Goonie75 suggested and it's also good. If you go that route apply it THIN THIN THIN and do 2 layers. I learned from my first use of it to apply it thin as I didn't and it dries like freakin' concrete and is tougher to buff off. Like I said, it does work well but I now use McKee's 37 wheel coating and like it better.

Finally, I also switched out my brake pads to lower dusting pads. They really help to keep the wheels cleaner in between washings. I realize you said "new GT350" so you probably want to keep the OEM pads on until they thin out a bit but it might be something to consider when it's time for replacements.

Congrats on the new ride and I wish you the best of luck with it!