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My first recommendation is to ditch the wheel wax, it's too much work for short term benefit. A ceramic coat is the same work but lasts over a year vs a wheel waxes 1-2 months.
If you do this, then apply the ceramic to the barrel (behind the spoke) and level it out so it's even but don't buff it off, it will leave a thicker layer which means more protection that lasts longer as you'll never see inside the barrel you don't need to worry.
Maintenance wise I spray my wheels once a month with Gyeon WetCoat (I do the paint as well), this is effectively a sealant that you just wash off, and helps keep the dirt from sticking.
Apart from that, PH neutral wheel cleaner then iron remover once a month and you'll have clean wheels.
Also in winter if you can hit the wheels just with a blast of water to get the worst off once a week (you don't need to clean them) this stops contamination from bedding in.
Follow this as if you have gloss wheels unlike me, you'll be able to just hit it with a powerhose and 90% of the dirt will come off, at least for the first few months.
