Brake dust removal

[JJ172]

My 172 alloys are caked in brake dust (a moment of weakness in that I didnt have time to keep cleaning them over the winter) which is proving impossible to remove. Ive tried a couple of so-called miracle cleaners from Halfords but the baked on brake dust wont budge. Ive also tried the jetwash, metal cleaners, etc. - and even a very mild wire wool! But to no avail.

What would you recommend to shift it?

Thanks!

 

[geordieclio]

williams f1 cleaner with a wire brush always clens mine then jet wash it then use a sponge to clean it up

 

[coope182]

Get hold of some stuff called Truck Wash, I got some from a local car shop......just add some hot water and wash them, no scrubbing needed. It just falls off. Lorry drivers and people who valet lorries use it to clean Lorries and white vans.

 

[RS-Steve]

Ive always found wonder wheels the best.

 

[welsh182]

A long time ago, I used a brillo pad very gently to clean a set of OZ Mitos on the advice of a mate who used them regularly to clean the alloys on his Mk2 RS2000. Note the RS2000 wheels were polished the OZs were painted (factory finish).

It looked like it was working well but actually took the paint off and totally f**ked the finish on the alloys. I would definately not clean painted wheels with any sort of wire wool again.

Wonder Wheels does it for me. Dont use it when the wheels are hot from sun or driving, let it soak for a couple of minutes then wash it off with a sponge before rinsing.

 

[D-CUP]

Yep, you need Wonder Wheels. That Halfords crap is no better than washing up liquid.

 

[Jim172CUP]

Comma kit comes with brushes and all the gubbins for a fiver. Spray on, leave, use brush to loosen baked on sh*te, then wash off and sponge.

 

[blink172]

Wonderwheels always gets my vote, best stuff going!

 

[182_blue]

Quote: Originally posted by geordieclio on 23 May 2004

williams f1 cleaner with a wire brush always clens mine then jet wash it then use a sponge to clean it up

DONT use a wire brush whatever you do, autoglym clean wheels is good, just work it in, and if it leaves any then use t cut.

 

[tunni]

you can buy specialist acid to clean stubborn marks on alloys, give your local valeters a ring they will point you in the right direction.

 

[S2 PTH]

sulphuric acid.

always works on my alloys, and my hands!

 

[geordieclio]

ive always used a brush blue handle yellow "brush" presumed it was wire never damaged any of my wheels

 

[Pete]

AS said never ever use a wire brush on your wheels, I used wonder wheels on mine for the baked on dust, even the pressure washer couldnt remove it but wonder wheels worked a treat just make sure you dont flick it into your eyes!!!!

 

[S2 PTH]

wen i got my alloy fixed at renowheel, the guy there told me not to use wonderwheels. he sed it doesnt work, and to use the autoglym range... *he was totally independent and didnt work for autoglym btw!!!

if uve bought ure car from new, and have never left it for more than 2weeks without a PROPER alloy wash then u shud never have the problem of brake dust accumulating.

take the alloys off once in a while (say once every 3000miles if u have time) to give them a good clean inside with warm soapy water. i also use a steam cleaner and the my magic stuff for removing brake dust on the inside of the wheel.... an OLD toothbrush and Dr Xs Muck Off (for mountainbikes!).
[Edited by S2 PTH on 23 May 2004 at 6:28pm]

 

[Tiger]

use actual brake disc/caliper cleaner, comes off a doddle

 

[JJ172]

Thanks for all the excellent suggestions!

Ive bought some Wonder Wheels, so will give it a go (when I dry off from the burst pipe in the bathroom!). And, out of interest, whats the Autoglym cleaner called (I use their Fast Glass and Polish). Also, who makes the brake/caliper cleaner?

 

[Tez.]

Quote: Originally posted by Silver on 23 May 2004

Ive always found wonder wheels the best.

o yes this stuff is da bollox i use it once a week on 172 alloys

 

[Dash]

I used wonder wheels. It is very good, but it tends to tarnish my nuts.

 

[Tez.]

but it tends to tarnish my nuts

LOL no mate use it on the car ill buy u some shower gel if u like

 

[172 Exclusive]

Wilkinsons Supermarket sell Alloy wheel cleaner.. In a grey bottle @ £1.99..

It is in fact the same acid that is used by "professional" Valeters.. Works a treat..

 

[JJ172]

Wilkinsons?! Is that like Morrisons i.e. a northern s/market?!

 

[Ian_182]

wonder wheels all the way

ian

 

[matt the cat]

chances are the dust will have pited into the lacquer and therefore be pretty difficult to remove. Apply the ww to a dry wheel and agitate with a stiffish brush and leave. Then wash off with washing up liquid is hot water - hot as you can handle.

May be better doing it a few times.

Once done, use a goog wax - hard shell twax is good and apply to wheels. that way is will be easier to remove int the future.

 

[jon_r]

Autoglym stuff didnt remove everybit of tar even on repeated aplications, im going to buy the wonder wheels stuff i think.

 

[philip]

James, bad news for you Im afraid. the PF97 pads "interact" with the discs (read eat them up) and the pad/disc dust mixture you have on your wheels will not go away.

so...

option 1: leave the front wheels to acquire this nice gunmetal grey coat.. my favourite, but I cant get the rears to be the same colour!

option 2: have the wheels refurbished and professionally repainted gunmetal grey (I think that would look good)

option 3: sue you know who for providing us with those marvellous but oh-so-pain-in-the-a*** pads...

see ya

Philip

 

[JJ172]

*LOL* thanks Philip!!

Option 1 - Id need to swap the wheels front to back a few times to get an even coating!

Option 2 - hmm, a rather expensive cleaning product! The tyres are worn so I might bite the bullet and order my 17s with F1 225/35x17s

Option 3 - ha, I can hear the laughter now!! Sure, the pads are awesome (they still amaze me as I leave my braking later and later!) but the dust is awful!!

Ill try the wonder wheels first, cuz Im sure the baked on dust is pre the PF97 pads. Fingers crossed!

BTW, howz the car philip?

 

[TheCake]

Ok contraversial but...

I clean my wheels dry, with some kitchen towel.

Si.

 

[philip]

James, you will not get the stuff off... I did manage to get it off once, but believe me it was down to nasty acid stuff, quite a few toothbrushes etc. believe me you will NOT do this every week. I even tried coating the wheels with some wax hoping that would make it easier to clean next time - nope.

so Ive stopped bothering. When I sell the car, I will discount it by the cost of 2 new wheels!

The car itself is phenomenal. I love everything about it. The only weakness now is that I like to tinker, and I cant tinker much more with mine, so I dont know where to go next. Maybe sell and start again? The only problem is that I havent found another car with anywhere near the same cost/power/weight/tunability ratio... maybe a 2nd hand cup racer?

 

[JJ172]

Thanks for the words of encouragement philip! Sounds like Ill need some matt black wheels then!!

Glad to hear the car is performing well! I know the feeling, although Ive yet to have the engine mods - cant really justify it doing 30 miles a week!

 

[Ben H]

Theres a mountain bike cleaner called "Muck Off". Its made by a company called X-Lite and comes in clear bottles (liquid is pink!).

I they now market it as a car alloy wheel cleaner too now. Ive used it for ages and it works a treat every time.

 

[Lee]

Quote: Originally posted by coope182 on 23 May 2004

Get hold of some stuff called Truck Wash, I got some from a local car shop......just add some hot water and wash them, no scrubbing needed. It just falls off. Lorry drivers and people who valet lorries use it to clean Lorries and white vans.

My next door neighbour used to work for a local chemical company and sold me two cans of this stuff. The one he used to sell is called Sheet Clean and is used on the sides of lorries. Amazing stuff, myself and my mate have been using it for a year. Its less acidic than other cleaners and has a more soapy feel to it which lifts the crap off.

 

[JJ172]

Nice one LeeM. But where can I get some?

BTW, tried the WonderWheels tonight on one wheel and, after much elbow grease, a jetwash and repeated applications, the stuff is coming off - hurray!

*mental note to self* NEVER let em get like that EVER again!!