Best to remove brake dust??

it's been a while since I actually tackled something like this, except I'm remembering honda einkei rims with rough finish indentions and painted surfaces *and* all that crap. I've always gone the non acidic route, breaking out the abrasives and metal polishes and anything that had a chance of working, then remembered the best process for each subsequent wheel cause it took days to schedule so many hours at a time.



I'd be interested in hearing what actually works, and I'm hoping it's something other than the exercises I've experienced cause I'm sure it'll come up again. otherwise, I'll be looking for more drill attachments next time around.



by the way, clay does a fine job with brake dust once you have those puppies all shiney and polished and sealed and waxed. but then, so does soap at that point.
 
Thanks for all the advice guys!! I really appreciate it!! I will try it later on, and post pics on how it turn out!!!



Thanks!!



P.D. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser??? jajajaja
 
19 years of crud - I don't think any liquid cleaner is going to work too well but by all means, give them a shot.

Eventually, grab the sandpaper and sand away, gradually ending up with 600 - 1000 grit then maybe polish, then blast them with paint and/or clear.

I bet only sandpaper will be the ultimate cleaner for those.

Just so you don't get bored sanding, take them into the living room one at a time and sand them while you're watching the tube. Either the TV or the wife will provide plenty of excitement while you sand the wheels to perfection. :)

-John C.
 
I didn't take pictures of some aluminum wheels that I did recently, so I don't know if they were as bad. However, the brake dust was so bad on the tires that, until I started cleaning the tires, you couldn't tell that they were whitewalls on the inside. Anyhow, I used some APC along with 000 steel wool and lots of agitation and rinsing. They didn't come out perfect, but a darn sight better than when I started. Then I waxed the heck out of them and vowed that they'd never get that way again.
 
Thanks everybody for your comments and recomendations for this scary situation. :shocked



93FIVEOH-APC is All Purpose Cleaner, I use Simple Green diluted... full strength will be too harsh for any rim.
 
I only took the time to read the first few posts...but I waste my time with anything except for a good acid-based cleaner. I use three different strenght acid cleaners (the strongest one being designed for chrome only), but I have used all on a variety of wheel types and have never, ever had any damage or dulling as a result (though I always make sure the wheel is cool first).



On details I now always clean the rim inside and out, and with my Pro Products acid cleaner, it is so easy it's ridicolulous! If your worried about causing damage (though you shouldn't be), you can go with Pro's new Wheel Brightner which is safe for all wheel types...but I personally just dilute their full strength acid if the I think wheel has a weak coating or something.
 
bigfoot said:
Thanks everybody for your comments and recomendations for this scary situation. :shocked



93FIVEOH-APC is All Purpose Cleaner, I use Simple Green diluted... full strength will be too harsh for any rim.
Click to expand...

Thanks man.
 
I dont know why is worried about the inside when the front of the wheel is resting on the concrete from what I can tell. But I would use afta cleaning fluid to break it down and then follow up with a magic erasor. works well for me on the inside of my rims. My rims are clean through and through using this procedure. good luck.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top