Meguiars Hot Rims Brake Dust Barrier Review and Testing

[Marc08EX]

We were recently blessed with great new Meguiar`s 2012 products and I`m sure everyone is excited to try them out. I decided to review and test one of them - behold the Meguiar`s Brake Dust Barrier. This product has intrigued me a lot and I`m curious as to whether this product works or not. Here`s what the product looks like:



Product Claims:

• Makes your wheels easier to clean!
• Outlasts other wheel protector products
• Safe for all wheels - even chrome

Product Description:
We all love clean wheels, but wouldn`t it be nice to have them without the work? Meguiar`s Hot Rims Brake Dust Barrier uses advanced technology to provide a barrier between dirt and your rims.

Just spray a light coating to clean, dry wheels. you`ll notice dirt & grime do not bond - so it`ll take less time & work to clean your wheels. Plus, it lasts for weeks - so no need to re-apply every time you clean your wheels.

Directions:

1. Hold can 6 inches away and spray onto wheel until applied areas are lightly coated. Do not over-saturate.
2. Allow to dry for 3-5 minutes. Avoid wiping the surface while product is drying.

Tip: If excess product runs onto tire, wipe off immediately. Product can be removed with rubbing alcohol, if needed.

So onto the process. I started off with clean wheels as shown below:



I was only going to test this product on the front wheels, where the brake dust accumulation is mostly seen. In order to make sure that the product bonds as perfect as possible, I clayed the wheels first to ensure all bonded contaminants are removed.





The shot below shows the clay after 1 wheel. It wasn`t so bad.



I think that Last Touch as some polymers or shining agents on it. To make sure that the surface is completely clean, I sprayed IPA to the wheel after claying and then wiped it off afterwards.



I first worked on the passenger side front wheel. What I did was to tape and cover the right half of the wheel. I used the manufacturer`s symbol in the center cap as my point of reference. I applied the brake dust barrier on the left half of the wheel while the right half of the wheel is covered with tape and a newspaper sheet. I did this to ensure that the brake dust barrier wouldn`t contaminate the right half of the wheel. Here are some pictures showing the process:

Only the left half of the wheel exposed:


Spraying the product on the wheel:


The instructions said to apply a thin coat to the wheels. I failed to do that because I was trying to ensure I have complete coverage. As a result of doing so, I had some spray running down on some parts of the wheel. Oh well. I hope I didn`t compromise the effectiveness of the product.

On the right half of the passenger side front wheel, I compared the brake dust barrier to my preferred method of wheel protection: Meguiar`s Cleaner Wax. I applied cleaner wax on the right half of the wheel and buffed it off as shown below:





Here is the passenger side front wheel all done:


I`m going to be checking how this product stacks up against cleaner wax. Will it provide some protection to the wheel? Will it also last longer than the cleaner wax?

Now let`s move on to the driver`s side front wheel. I did the same process as the passnger side except that I didn`t use anything on the right side. This wheel only has a coat of brake dust barrier on the left side while the right side is completely stripped down. Here are some pictures showing the process:

Only the left half of the wheel exposed:


Spraying the product on the wheel:


Here is the driver side front wheel all done:


For this side, the plan is to check how effective this product really is. Will it make cleaning wheels a lot easier? Will it really provide a barrier against brake dust?

I will provide timely updates and show you guys any difference in brake dust accumulation and whether or not it makes it easier to clean. By that I mean by hosing it down with water. Cleaning it with soapy water solution will make the wheels clean regardless if it`s maintained properly.

I might not provide weekly updates because I drive 90-95% freeway and seldom brake. In any case, I will provide updates when I can show some difference.

Date of application: 2/19/2012
Mileage: 39,545 miles

[Marc08EX]

Update: 02-24-2012
Mileage: 39,834 miles

Driver Side:


Passenger Side:


There`s not much brake dust accumulation at this point. I need more driving time to see heavier brake dust. This is the only time I wish I had more brake dust LOL! Can someone loan me a German car for testing purposes?

[Marc08EX]

Ok guys. Time for an update! I`ve been trying to get as much brake dust accumulated in the wheels and I hope this is enough for you guys. This is the only time I wished my car produced more brake dust. I couldn`t go any further because my car is filthy and I can`t stand it anymore. I had to wash it.

Date: 3/16/2012
Mileage: 41,185 miles
Miles driven since application: 1,640 miles
Soap: Meguiar`s Deep Crystal Car Wash
Wash Media: Body Sponge

Let`s start with the passenger side wheel first. This wheel had both the Meguiar`s Brake Dust Barrier on one side and Meguiar`s Cleaner Wax on another side.

Here`s how the wheel looked prior to washing:



Just to refresh your memory of which side is which, here`s a picture showing just that: (Or you can refer to my original post for proof)



Here`s a picture of the wheels after the initial rinse:



Here are some pictures showing the wheel face`s reaction to the soap when I washed it. The picture below shows the side where the Brake Dust Barrier is applied:



As you can see, the soap seems like it didn`t want to stick to the surface. This could be because of the Brake Dust Barrier coating. On the other hand, the picture below shows the side where the cleaner wax is applied:



As you can see, there`s nothing special about it. The soap seems to cling onto the surface.

Here`s a picture of the wheels after rinsing the soap residue off resulting in a clean wheel:



This picture clearly shows that the Brake Dust Barrier side is beading like there`s no tomorrow while the side with cleaner wax isn`t.

Here are some videos I took as well to show you guys how the water reacts to each side.

Below is the video prior to soaping the wheel down:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dk1Q9-JHkpQ"]10 Passenger Side Before Washing.AVI - YouTube[/ame]

Below is the video after soaping the wheel down:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il7iwGYkiAA"]11 Passenger Side After Washing.AVI - YouTube[/ame]

[Marc08EX]

Now let`s move on with the driver side wheel. This wheel had only the Meguiar`s Brake Dust Barrier on one side and it was uncoated on another side as a control.

Here`s how the wheel looked prior to washing:



Just to refresh your memory of which side is which, here`s a picture showing just that: (Or you can refer to my original post for proof)



Here`s a picture of the wheels after the initial rinse:



Here`s a picture of the wheels after soaping it:



Here`s a picture of the wheels after rinsing the soap residue off resulting in a clean wheel: (sorry for the bad lighting. It was getting dark)



Again, this picture clearly shows that the Brake Dust Barrier side is beading like there`s no tomorrow while the uncoated side isn`t.

Here are some videos I took as well to show you guys how the water reacts to each side.

Below is the video prior to soaping the wheel down:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rSOTuqn5es]12 Driver Side Before Washing.AVI - YouTube[/ame]

Below is the video after soaping the wheel down:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6jTlX6U1EE]13 Driver Side After Washing.AVI - YouTube[/ame]

*** Please notice the tape line on the spoke located in the 7-8 o`clock. You can clearly see the side with Brake Dust Barrier repelling the water while the water attaches to the uncoated side.

[Marc08EX]

Observations:

• It seems like the Brake Dust Barrier provides a coating of some sort. It also provides relentless water beading.
• The side where the Brake Dust Barrier is applied feels slicker than the side with cleaner wax or the uncoated side.
• This product doesn`t repel brake dust at all. The brake dust clings to the coated, waxed and uncoated surfaces almost equally.
• This product doesn`t make it easier to rinse off the brake dust with water. However, my water pressure is low. Using a pressure washer can alter my results.
• This product may make it easier to wash off the brake dust with soap or wheel cleaners especially when heavy accumulation is present. I just wasn`t able to produce a lot of brake dust in my case. However, if you regularly wash and maintain your wheels, it really won`t make a difference.
• The cleaner wax didn`t look like it survived the extreme heat produced by the vehicle`s brakes. The side with cleaner wax reacts the same way with the uncoated side.

Conclusion:
This product definitely works! It provides you with a coating that lasts a long time and will help clean up your wheels a lot easier. It lasts a long time - definitely more than your traditional wax applied on the wheels. I will definitely use this product from now on so that my wheels are fully protected. You need to try this product out. It`s worth the money and you won`t be disappointed.


What do you guys think of my review? Hope you guys liked it and I hope it helps. If you guys have any comments or criticisms, please feel free to let me know. Thanks for your time!

[classofshine]

Nice review!
From the sound of it seems more like a spray on walk away sealant.

[CH.Detailing]

I`m curious how it would compare against more conventional stand by products, like Rejex or FK1000P

[Reality33]

Very nice and thorough review. In your pictures, it looks as there is almost MORE dust on both wheels where the Brake Dust Barrier is.

Looking at your final statements, it appears what the product is supposed to be for does not happen at all. (Easier to clean and no brake dust bonding)

However, it does make for a good layer of sealant.

Seems like they might want to re-word the product as I can guarantee most people will buy this thinking it will keep their wheels clean and free of brake dust in between washings.

[mjlinane]

Great review!!

[Todd@RUPES]

Great review!Looking forward to more updates!

[steve1972]

this product can fool people into thinking it is not working. alot of people are gonna think it is suppose to stop brake dust from collecting on wheels but that is not the point of product. it is to simply to make it so nothing sticks to wheels and easy to wash off with just soap and water

[TroyScherer]

I too would be interested as to how this would stand up to a sealant like Rejex, FK1000P, Colli #845, Opti-Seal.

It appears in some of the picture that the Hot Rims Brake Dust Barrier attacked more dust than the uncoated and waxed side. Is this truly the case? If it makes is easier to clean I am all for it. I personally have been using Opti-Seal or Colli #845 as my wheel sealant of choice. Opti-Seal is so easy to apply and last almost as long as anything else I have used. So applying it once a month is no big deal to me.