Autoglym Wheel Protector: Our Real World Test And Review
Okay, lets cut to the chase – Autoglym have done a great job with this product, but like most products, it is not completely perfect!
I found Autoglym Wheel Protector massively reduces the amount of brake dust build-up on your wheels, keeping them cleaner for longer.
That said, I did think applying Autoglym Wheel Protector is a bit difficult with the spray bottle, and it can take some time to get used to.
Stick with it as the results you can achieve are worth it, particularly if you have wheels with hard to reach places that get dirty quickly and are hard to clean.
Prepmycar Rating: 6 / 10
Autoglym Wheel Protector, 300ml
- 5 Ease of Application
- 5 Aesthetics
- 7 Hydrophobicity
- 7 Durability
- 6 Value for Money
- 6 Bottle Ergonomics
- 6 OVERALL TEST SCORE
Pros
Cons
Testing Process
Wheels were washed in the usual way using a dedicated wheel cleaner and several wheel brushes.
When clean, a fallout remover was applied with a layer of snow foam over the top. This was left to dwell for 5 minutes, then pressure washed off. All of the wheels were then dried, ready for the sealant to be applied. It was overcast and raining lightly on the day of testing and around twenty degrees.
Sealant was applied to three wheels leaving one as a comparison wheel.
The car was out of direct sunlight, and all of the wheels were cool to the touch when the spray was applied.
Ease of Application 5/10
I have to score this one on the low side as I found it a nightmare to get a consistent even covering, especially on the wheel barrels.
In theory, the spray should be easy to use, and I found it especially difficult.
Getting good coverage across all of the wheels while avoiding the tyres and the brakes is a real challenge. Any overspray caused the sealant to run, leaving streaks in the finish.
Aesthetics 5
This one is hard to score as the Autoglym wheel protector isn’t designed to add anything to the wheel’s finish as it is clear when it’s cured.
I’ve knocked marks off for the streaky finish that’s left due to the difficulty of applying the product and the fact that it doesn’t enhance the gloss of the wheels, even after 24 hours of drying time.
Hydrophobicity 7
This product works by adding a hydrophobic layer to the wheel surface so water quickly runs off the surface.
Beading isn’t the same as you might see from a wheel wax or ceramic coating however, there is some beading from the water that doesn’t run off.
The hydrophobic qualities are excellent from Wheel Protector.
Durability 7
This test lasted 4 weeks and around 1500 miles with the Wheel Protector still going strong.
Autoglym quotes up to 6 weeks which is realistic for summer conditions and regular daily driving.
If you’re doing a lot of miles and are using your brakes regularly, you will start to notice brake dust building up again before the 6 weeks is out, so you’ll be tipping up the Wheel Protector every wash, I’d imagine.
Some wheel waxes and ceramic coatings will definitely provide greater longevity. For a spray-on product, this holds up well.
Value for Money 6
At around £8.50 ($9.18 USD) for 300ml, which will cover 4-5 applications depending on the size of the wheels, Autoglym Wheel Protector will cost between £1.70 ($1.83 USD) – £2.10 ($2.26 USD) per application.
A 300ml can should last around a year depending on the size of the wheels, miles driven and road conditions.
This is pretty expensive when you compare it to other types of wheel protection like a wax or a sealant, which will cost a little more upfront and give better value per application.
If you’re doing a lot of miles Autoglym Wheel Protector isn’t going to stand up to the road grime, and brake dust between washes as well as other products do.
Bottle Ergonomics 6
As it’s an aerosol with a longer style can, it’s difficult to get into all of the intricate areas of the wheels and especially the barrels.
These Audi wheels aren’t especially awkward to clean and have a decent enough space between spokes giving good access to the whole wheel usually.
I got the best results spraying in short bursts to avoid over-applying the product and causing it to run.
The spray trigger is very sensitive, so you need to be careful when applying. Spraying the tops of the wheel barrel is especially tricky as the can is upside down which reduces the pressure through the nozzle.
In terms of speed, this is really quick to apply compared to other types of coating It’s definitely trickier than other products with it being an aerosol.
About The Autoglym Brand and their specialist area
Autoglym are an established brand within the car cleaning world and this is another product from them that does exactly what it is meant to do.
Developed in conjunction with Motorsport teams, it does a fantastic job of drastically reducing the amount of brake dust build up on your wheels.
This is Autoglym’s only dedicated wheel protection product, so there isn’t anything else to compare to within their range.
My Final Thoughts
In theory, a spray sealant for your wheels is a great idea and Autoglym usually nails their products exactly as intended.
The Wheel Protector is definitely something I’ll be using again as it proved really effective at reducing brake dust build-up and kept the wheels visibly cleaner for longer.
There are much more effective and easier ways to protect your wheels without going down the ceramic route, for example, a wax or a liquid sealant applied by hand with an applicator. For a fast and effective product, this is great!
The fact that it is a liquid though does make it very difficult to get even coverage across the entire wheel surface and leaves streaks if it starts to run.
The delivery using an aerosol can makes getting into the tighter areas and the barrels really tricky.
Depending on how often you clean your car too, you may be re-applying Wheel Protector every other wash, which helps support the case for a more long-term solution if you’re against having to top up your wheel protection that regularly.
FAQ
Is everything in this kit ph neutral?
Yes. I use it on diamond cut wheels which need a more delicate cleaner so as not to tarnish the finish. Agitate with a wheel brush for best results then jet spray off.
How many wheels will I get out of 1 can protector
It is dependant on the size of the wheel but on average the 300ml can contains enough product to protect 16 wheels, so treating every 6 weeks means one can will last around 6 months.
Grab It Now
- ” Protect your wheels from brake dust and keep them looking their best with Autoglym Wheel Protector, which minimizes adhesion and extends cleaning…
- Autoglym Wheel Protector is ideal for use on silver, white and other light coloured alloy wheels; and unsuitable for dark painted or mirror finish…
- ” Creates a super-hydrophobic durable barrier that repels dirt and lasts up to 6 weeks”
