Heavy Brake Dust

[Stephan]

Hello everyone!

I know its been awhile.

I recently detailed two cars, both the same customer, one a XC70 and the other an S60. Both were in decent shape minus the rims. Each was solid gray with brake dust to the point they looked like graphite. I used a wheel cleaner sprayed it on and let it sit and then power washed it off. That did little to remove anything, which I don't blame on the cleaner but rather the fact that these rims were caked on. After 30 - to 45 min per tire the rims were clean minus small areas of heavy black tar like build up that would not come off with my finger nail or scrubing with a brush.

What I mean by that is it was not pitted but raised surface contamination that nothing would take off. At this point I had to leave them as is and go onto the rest of the car. My question is has anyone run into a situation where nothing you use will take this off and you just have to go as is. I like most of you are or want to be a perfectionist and it was tough to leave it like that but after I tried one rim for an hour nothing changed.

 

[Beemerboy]

I have some acid based cleaner for those times. I do know what you mean some of the buildup is so stuck on it hard to impossible to get off. Acid cleaners are the trick but are tricky to use, meaning they can stain some finishes. I use a lot of water and apply gently to the effected areas. Mainly I find its in the inside area of the rim.

 

[Stephan]

What acid based cleaner do you use? The issue for these it is on the face of the rim so I want to be careful, but if it works and can save some time and stress I would use it.

 

[Beemerboy]

Stephan

I buy it from a local P&S detail supplier. There are a few on the market, I have a gallon that I have used for years. Its a way strong cleaner and one that I use with caution

 

[Poorboy]

What acid based cleaner do you use? The issue for these it is on the face of the rim so I want to be careful, but if it works and can save some time and stress I would use it.

Nice to see you back Stephan :rockon Spray & Rinse is the safest and easiest wheel cleaner, as long as they are not uncoated polished aluminum :bigups

 

[Beemerboy]

Nice to see you back Stephan :rockon Spray & Rinse is the safest and easiest wheel cleaner, as long as they are not uncoated polished aluminum :bigups

Steve,

Your wheel cleaner is my go to for everything, but on the stains that Stephan is talking about, I don't think that even at 100% it would lift them. That's why I suggested an acid based cleaner. I do think that Troy has some in his store front.

 

[Troy@Protekt]

Steve,

Your wheel cleaner is my go to for everything, but on the stains that Stephan is talking about, I don't think that even at 100% it would lift them. That's why I suggested an acid based cleaner. I do think that Troy has some in his store front.

Spray & Rinse is strong enough with some agitation and a little patience. I do have Four Star Aluminum & Chrome Cleaner which is acid based and does wonders for caked brake dust but you can ruin a wheel with it so I hate to recommend it.

 

[agentxc_02]

I used some simple green on my xc wheels to get the brake dust off with and sos pad

 

[Stephan]

I used some simple green on my xc wheels to get the brake dust off with and sos pad

You can use simple green because you maintain your car, however on this persons car I tried everything and nothing would touch it. I use simple green as well and find it effective just not with this one.

The car I did is the same as yours and I can't remember how many sections the rim has but the one the I finally got everything off took me an additional half hour. If there are six sections per rim x 1/2 hour you are at 3 hours per rim.

Maybe I should have tried me steamer.

 

[Stephan]

Spray & Rinse is strong enough with some agitation and a little patience. I do have Four Star Aluminum & Chrome Cleaner which is acid based and does wonders for caked brake dust but you can ruin a wheel with it so I hate to recommend it.

I tried spray and rinse it worked fine on the rest of the rim, just not in these sections even with a brush.

 

[Poorboy]

I tried spray and rinse it worked fine on the rest of the rim, just not in these sections even with a brush.

It needs to be left on a bit longer to dwell before agitating ... I did a race wheel at Lime Rock last year like that ... but it did come clean ... try not to let it dry and just add a little spritz more to keep it working

 

[Beemerboy]

Spray & Rinse is strong enough with some agitation and a little patience. I do have Four Star Aluminum & Chrome Cleaner which is acid based and does wonders for caked brake dust but you can ruin a wheel with it so I hate to recommend it.

It needs to be left on a bit longer to dwell before agitating ... I did a race wheel at Lime Rock last year like that ... but it did come clean ... try not to let it dry and just add a little spritz more to keep it working

I respect both of you guys for your expertise, but I also have equal to that of Stephan who is experienced enough to understand that the S&R and any other product he had was not working. He did say that he left it on the rim for a while, used brushes.

Its really hard to make a suggestion about a solution, until you've seen the problem. In his case who knows what was stuck on the surface. I think that we can all agree that sometimes not matter what you do, the problem is not correctable. A good detailer knows when you've reached that limit.

 

[Stephan]

I respect both of you guys for your expertise, but I also have equal to that of Stephan who is experienced enough to understand that the S&R and any other product he had was not working. He did say that he left it on the rim for a while, used brushes.

Its really hard to make a suggestion about a solution, until you've seen the problem. In his case who knows what was stuck on the surface. I think that we can all agree that sometimes not matter what you do, the problem is not correctable. A good detailer knows when you've reached that limit.

Thanks!!!

I should have taken pictures but I didn't think of it until after. He plans on having me do the cars again in the fall so I will take pictures then.