Cerakote Ceramic Sealant for Wheels & Trim – Is It Safe?

Jimbo Balaam on

Cerakote® says their Ceramic Sealant is safe for paint and glass, but what about wheels and plastic trim? We tested it on multiple surfaces and compared the results to Tough As Shell to see which offers better all-around versatility.

Cerakote Ceramic Sealant for Wheels & Trim – Is It Safe?

 

Cerakote Ceramic Sealant for Wheels & Trim – Is It Safe?

Cerakote® Ceramic Sealant is advertised primarily for paint and glass, but detailers often wonder if it’s safe for wheels and exterior trim. We tested it on multiple surfaces and compared it to Tough As Shell to see which provides better protection and appearance without causing streaks or residue.

Testing on Wheels

We applied Cerakote Ceramic Sealant to a set of factory clear-coated wheels and drove for 3 weeks in mixed weather conditions. Here’s what we observed:

  • Initial Look: Slight gloss improvement, but less “pop” compared to Tough As Shell.
  • Brake Dust Resistance: Helped reduce buildup, but after 2 weeks, dust began sticking more than on the Tough As Shell-treated wheels.
  • Cleaning Ease: Still easier to clean than unprotected wheels, but required more agitation than the Tough As Shell side.

Tough As Shell’s stronger hydrophobic properties made brake dust removal quicker, especially when paired with Pure Magic Cleaner.

Testing on Trim

On plastic trim, Cerakote produced a clean finish but lacked depth. Tough As Shell deepened the color slightly without leaving a greasy look, and its hydrophobic performance lasted noticeably longer.

In our long-term test, Tough As Shell-treated trim resisted fading and water spotting for over 6 months, compared to around 4 months for the Cerakote side.

Surface Safety Concerns

Neither product caused discoloration or staining on wheels or trim when applied correctly. However, because Cerakote isn’t specifically marketed for these surfaces, its results can be less predictable, especially on uncoated plastics.

Tough As Shell is designed to be safe on paint, glass, trim, wheels, and PPF, making it a true all-surface solution.

Video Review

The Winner for Wheels & Trim

If you only need to protect painted panels, Cerakote can work fine. But for detailers and enthusiasts who want a single product to cover paint, wheels, trim, glass, and PPF, Tough As Shell is the smarter choice for both performance and longevity.

All-Surface Ceramic Protection: Tough As Shell

One product for paint, wheels, trim, glass, and PPF—Tough As Shell offers longer-lasting protection and stronger hydrophobic performance than Cerakote.

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