CarPro Cquartz DLUX 2.0 Ceramic Wheel & Trim Coating

Exterior plastic trim and alloy wheels have a pretty tough life. Plastics gradually lose their original colour through exposure to sunlight and the elements, while wheels are constantly subjected to brake dust, road grime and regular cleaning. Both benefit enormously from proper protection, but they're not necessarily the easiest surfaces to coat.

CARPRO CQUARTZ DLUX has long been one of our favourite solutions for these areas. Unlike a conventional trim dressing, it creates a durable ceramic protective layer, helping restore richness to faded plastics while making wheels easier to maintain.

With CQUARTZ DLUX 2.0, CARPRO has made some particularly useful improvements. The new formula delivers greater slickness, enhanced water repellency and better resistance to water spotting, but perhaps the most welcome change is how much easier it is to apply.

Coating an intricate alloy wheel can be quite a fiddly job. There are spokes, recesses, tight corners and plenty of opportunities to leave excess product behind. The original DLUX was effective, but getting an even finish required a little care and patience.

The updated formula uses hybrid synthetic siloxane technology to reduce viscosity, allowing the coating to spread more easily across complicated surfaces. Importantly, CARPRO has maintained the substantial film build and protective characteristics that made the original product so popular.

We're particularly pleased to see improvements to the levelling process. DLUX 2.0 has a more forgiving working window, with residue that's easier to remove when necessary. On certain surfaces, a sufficiently even application may not require buffing at all, although this depends on the surface and conditions.

For exterior plastics, the appeal is twofold. DLUX 2.0 can noticeably deepen the appearance of weathered trim while adding lasting hydrophobic protection. Rather than simply making plastic look darker for a few washes, you're applying a genuine coating designed to withstand environmental exposure.

On wheels, the emphasis is slightly different. The coating creates a slick, water-repellent barrier that helps resist brake dust and road grime, making subsequent washing considerably easier. It won't prevent wheels from becoming dirty, but it should reduce how firmly contamination adheres.

As with all ceramic coatings, preparation is essential. Wheel surfaces need to be thoroughly cleaned and decontaminated, while exterior plastics must be free from old dressings, oils and cleaner residues. We'd recommend a final wipe-down with CARPRO Eraser before application.

It's also important to understand that different surfaces require slightly different application techniques. Smooth plastics and painted wheels can be levelled with a suitable microfibre towel, whereas textured plastics are more difficult to correct if the coating dries unevenly. We'd always recommend testing an inconspicuous area, particularly on textured, matt or satin finishes.

For maintaining coated wheels, CARPRO WheelX is an excellent complementary cleaner, while CARPRO Reset is a useful choice for regular maintenance washing.

For us, DLUX 2.0 is a worthwhile evolution of an already excellent coating. The enhanced slickness and water repellency are welcome, but making the product easier to apply is arguably just as important. It remains one of the most useful specialist coatings in the CARPRO range, particularly for anyone wanting proper protection for their wheels and exterior trim without relying on short-lived dressings.