To clear coat or not to clear coat...
 

When buying custom high polish wheels like the HREs, what are the pros and cons of clearcoating? I've heard that the clearcoat makes the wheels brighter, but that particles can get stuck in it over time. On the other hand, I've also heard that clear coat can make it easier to clean the wheels.

So what's the real story? What do you have and would you change it? TIA.

Re: To clear coat or not to clear coat...
 

No question that you are correct with all you have said.

Consider though, that you can reduce the amount of break dust that adheres by waxing the clearcoat. In fact, it responds to the same detailing as you would give you paint. So, a really bad wheel can be clay-barred to clean it up.

The non-clear-coated are going to require alot more work to maintain. I have a set of Kinesis (for sale) and a set of I-Forged. Neither have the clearcoated lips. I need to polish them every other week... Mothers Billet Aluminum Polish, Griots Fine Hand Polish and wax. It's a bear of a job.

On the other hand the centers of the I-Forged are clear-coated and they are a breeze to keep clean... Spray with water, wipe and occasionally wax.

So, having both...I-Forged with clear-coated centers and polished un-coated lips, and Kinesis with polished un-coated lips...I say...No question, Clear-Coat them! I am going to have the centers of I-Forged Shot-peened and the lips clear-coated...over the winter..