Heavy Brake Dust vs. ArmorAll Wheel Protectant

gdal said:
I've been using this wheel protectant since it came out with great results. My biggest issue is the slight white residue that can be seen when the wheels have a darker tint (like gunmetal grey). :(
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I didn't notice any white residue, but possibly some very slight "dulling". Painted surfaces not as shiny as if they were waxed, sealed, or "necked". :rofl:

After letting the AAWP sit overnight, I've been taking a dry microfiber towel and lightly buffing off the dullness. Shiny underneath, and I don't think I'm wiping off the product, just the slight hazing.

I'm wondering if the BMW group has tried this product. Every seen a Beemer with "blackened" front wheels? Very common on those cars for heavy brake dust.
 
Some folks may be saying... "Why not just wash the wheels more frequently?"

True. But I'm talking about extreme and excessive dusting from very soft, performance type pads.

50 miles and the wheels are trashed!

The more I drive with this product on my wheels, the more I'm sold on it!:wink:
 
I'm doubtful of that 2nd pic... That is SEVERE dusting and cant be after a few hour drive with minimal braking. Just last month I took a 2010 GS to Vegas and it was a 8.5 hour drive with some very spirited driving and braking in spots, and with chrome wheels they weren't even a quarter that bad! I think that other member is playing it up...or he took that pic at a track day.
 
"After letting the AAWP sit overnight, I've been taking a dry microfiber towel and lightly buffing off the dullness. Shiny underneath, and I don't think I'm wiping off the product, just the slight hazing."

luster, thats what I ended up doing for my black wheels and they look fine now. Happy camper here so far:smile:
 
I tried it, and was not overly impressed. I didn't like the white film, and it really didn't repell the brake dust.

I will give it another try though. Maybe, I didn't apply it right. I dunno!
 
bmw5541 said:
I tried it, and was not overly impressed. I didn't like the white film, and it really didn't repell the brake dust.
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I didn't get any white film. In fact, when I sprayed it on my comp gray wheels, they actually looked shinier when they were dry. I don't know if "repel" is the correct work (even though I may have said it!:devil:); But the brake dust can either be quickly dusted off with a swiffer duster or blown off with a leaf blower. I just doesn't stick.

It may take a few tries for different methods. I applied two light coats 1 hour apart, then let dry overnight. No residue.
 
Luster said:
I didn't get any white film. In fact, when I sprayed it on my comp gray wheels, they actually looked shinier when they were dry. I don't know if "repel" is the correct work (even though I may have said it!:devil:); But the brake dust can either be quickly dusted off with a swiffer duster or blown off with a leaf blower. I just doesn't stick.

It may take a few tries for different methods. I applied two light coats 1 hour apart, then let dry overnight. No residue.
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Also owning a Corvette i feel your pain about the dusting problem.I will pick up a couple of cans also and try it out on my black powder coated black rims.And thanks for the review on this product.
 
so today I pulled one of my wheel covers off and looked at it in the sunlight and there was definetely a layer of brakedust on it so I used my compressor with a blow gun to try to blow it off and it did not help it any . The brake dust was stuck on.

Im sure there are alot of variables that go into whether this product works or not( like what you have on youe wheels and what kind of brake shoes/pads)you have but it doesnt seem to work well for me.

Anyone in San diego is welcome to rest of my bottle for free! :D
 
detailchick said:
so today I pulled one of my wheel covers off and looked at it in the sunlight and there was definetely a layer of brakedust on it so I used my compressor with a blow gun to try to blow it off and it did not help it any . The brake dust was stuck on.

Im sure there are alot of variables that go into whether this product works or not( like what you have on youe wheels and what kind of brake shoes/pads)you have but it doesnt seem to work well for me.

Anyone in San diego is welcome to rest of my bottle for free! :D
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I'm sure you're right about lots of variables. The biggest one being the texture of the finish on the wheel. An ultra smooth, slick wheel will no doubt shed brake dust much better than a wheel with an "eggshell" finish or a slightly matte texture.

If it worked as advertised on "ALL WHEELS", we, as detailers, would be out of business!!!:rofl:
 
I'm still up in the air with this stuff too. I don't mind the small bit of residue left over, I just lightly wipe it off and I've gotten where I hardly get any now as I'm applying less. The thing that I don't like is when it gets wet, it seems like the brake dust is immediately stuck on and looks terrible, I noticed it on my wife's and mine after the rain last week. Also, I haven't found where the dust comes off any easier on the next wash.

I think I'll mask off 1/2 of my rim the next time and do a 50/50 comparison, just for sh*ts an giggles. I just went back to dusty OEM brakes, so now would be a great time to see what the stuff is made of.

More to follow....
 
I'm going to share this info with the MB club and watch the stuff fly off the shelves at the local Advance Auto Parts! MB's suffer from the same soft pad dust as BMW's. We had a drive out to Lawrence and back on Sunday, and my wheels looked like I had not touched them in months.

If there is even a chance it works, I'm trying it!! I don't really wash the old SL any more, so wheel cleaning is a sit-on-the-driveway, manual wipe-down process.

I assume this is sold wherever Armorall products are sold?

Thanks for the heads-up.
 
I tried it on my f150, the front wheels get coated in brake dust easily, and it made a huge difference. I'll post up pix when I get the chance.
 
Husker Z said:
I'm still up in the air with this stuff too. I don't mind the small bit of residue left over, I just lightly wipe it off and I've gotten where I hardly get any now as I'm applying less. The thing that I don't like is when it gets wet, it seems like the brake dust is immediately stuck on and looks terrible, ...
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DEFINITELY not rain-friendly. This is a dry weather fix. It washes off easily, not like a wax or sealant that's designed to have staying power.

After several weeks of using AAWP, I'm still on the fence myself. Does it really repel brake dust better than Wheel Wax or Blackfire WD? [rhetorically] Not so sure.....:toetap05:
 
Husker Z said:
I just picked up a couple of cans, we'll see how it goes. I plan on changing brakes next week sometime, so I'll clean the rims thoroughly at that point and give this stuff a try. Got a free jug of car wash with the purchase of two cans too! :clap:
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Try Hawk Performance Z Series pads next time.:Dancing Dot:
Ceramic and a GREAT pad.
 
PGA2B said:
Try Hawk Performance Z Series pads next time.:Dancing Dot:
Ceramic and a GREAT pad.
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I may do that. The Red Stuff ones sucked, squealed like a Deffenbaugh truck.

I put on Textar this time, which is what is on BMW & Mercedes in lieu of the OEM Brembos and so far I like them. They aren't as dusty as the Brembos and MUCH quieter than the Red Stuff.

I have heard good things on the Hawk pads though, I may do that next. :thumbup:
 
I have seen many threads created by car enthusiests saying how great this product is, and how it lasts them up to 4 weeks through rain and washes, etc. I have shared the experiences from here, but have not told anyone to not use it, just as a precaution. Today, I had to get some stuff from the auto parts store and saw Armor All Wheel Protectant on the shelf. I picked it up to try for myself so I can recommend/steer away based on personal experience.
 
Leadfootluke said:
I have seen many threads created by car enthusiests saying how great this product is, and how it lasts them up to 4 weeks through rain and washes, etc. I have shared the experiences from here, but have not told anyone to not use it, just as a precaution. Today, I had to get some stuff from the auto parts store and saw Armor All Wheel Protectant on the shelf. I picked it up to try for myself so I can recommend/steer away based on personal experience.
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After using this product for about 2 weeks, I'm with you on this one. I've completely reversed my initial thinking on this product. Seems like a Gimmick all the way.

Good pads + good wax/sealant = nice, clean wheels!
 
Any updates or revisions to opinions? :confused:

I just saw the ad for it and, of course they're gonna make it look spectacular (GREAT ad). :-c

I am fielding questions from friends but have ZERO data and have not yet tried the stuff. :cursing:
 
Kevin Brown said:
Any updates or revisions to opinions? :confused:

I just saw the ad for it and, of course they're gonna make it look spectacular (GREAT ad). :-c

I am fielding questions from friends but have ZERO data and have not yet tried the stuff. :cursing:
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IMO Kevin, this product is useless. It does not repel break dust as advertised, It makes it no easier to clean the wheels, it washes off at the first sign of rain, and leaves a white residue on the wheels. As Bill said, clean and seal the wheels will make it easier to clean off the break dust.

I wish it did what it claims to do.:out:
 
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