Most liked posts in thread: Cleaning brake buildup from wheels

Semi-metallic dust (like OEM, not like aftermarket ceramic pads) responds well to Sonax Wheel Cleaner.

http://www.detailersdomain.com/Sonax-Full-Effect-Wheel-Cleaner_p_324.html

 

Wouldn't think of it Jim..lol

Actually like now, I'm going to take mine through the laser wash to get it ready for tommorrows Tar Heel rally. I'll spray the Wesley's on the wheels and tires right before I go through. Then come home and go over with Hydro, wheels and all, looks like I just spent hours detailing and I'll be done in no time!

 

Kind of hard to do around here lately, it's been 110' in the garage these days:drool

Mark

 

So I cleaned the OEM wheels, don't recall what they are called, 5 spoke silver maybe, and they were very dirty, as you can see;


It had been a long while since their last cleaning, and they looked real bad

So I started taking them off the car,

Soaking them,

Scrubbing them,

Soaking them some more,

Scrubbing them some more,


Lo and behold I could see wheels under all that crud,

So I kept at it.


Now they start to look like something,

Put 2 coats of Wheel Armor on them,

inside and out,

And they turned out great IMO,



:arf:

Mark

 

Yup, tire rack has it:ihih:

Mark

 

I've heard folks say that Purple Power works well. I've also read here I believe that WD 40 does a good job.

 

If your talking the thick tar globs WD40 will do the trick. If your talking brake dust and lots of it, I use Wesley's Bleach White, brake dust runs from it. Beware though it is not meant for wheels but if you do one wheel at a time and spray it on and immediately wash it off with carwash and water I haven't experienced any damage to the wheels. I do wipe down the wheels with Hydro after using as it will remove any wax.... 2 cents.

 

I have used Bleche-White as well, with decent (but not fantastic) results. My wheels are a high polished forged aluminum though, not painted. One word of advice - make sure the wheels are cool to the touch before you spray any cleaner on them.

 

WD-40 spray it on and let it soak overnight:

http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/detailing/9316-how-i-clean-wheels.html

The dust will wipe right off and it won't hurt your wheels

 

Simple Green works well. I'll post when not on my phone.

Mark

 

I thought Hydro WAS wax?

Jim

 

Exactly. After using the Wesley's you want to put some back on the wheels.

 

And I thought he was a Super Hero ..... or was he a Super Villain....

 

OK, I get it now. I read your last line to mean that the HYDRO removed wax.

Don't scare me like that Mark. :lol:

Jim

 

Cool to the touch means just that. Touch the surface with your fingertips, if it feels cooler than your body temp, that's cool to the touch. If it feels warmer it is not and you should let the surface cool.

 

All great suggestions

Couple Thoughts

I think MiniMark or Ben mentioned Sonax. I reacall swapping notes with Phil of Detaliers Domain that it was intended for really nasty wheels that had been neglected for awhile.
Might want to give that a try if the bleach or WD40 isn't touching it. I believe it chemically breaks down brake dust

My usual method is to soak with WD40 for a couple minutes and take one of those Mr. Clean Magic Erasers to it. Don't scrub real hard as the eraser has some abrassiveness to it.

I then hit it with a couple coats of wheel wax. Good insurance after all that work getting all the gunk off em'. Prima makes a pretty good one although lately I have been using
Wheel Wax which I think is a little better

Make sure you get off all of the WD40 before waxing though. I'll wash with Dawn dishwashing soap and also hit with some cheap window cleaner to make sure I get off all the lubricant from the WD40.

 

I've seen brake dust that has actually etched into the surface of a wheel. It is a sort of a balancing act, something strong enough to break the bond of that cursed dust yet gentle enough to no hurt the wheel.

I hate that stuff. I'm a real fan of ceramic brakes.

 

Amen Brother

One of happiest days was doing brake job to get rid of the godawful OEM ones (still have the wifes 10' MCS to deal with but not two of em')