What to do when Wheel Brightener is not enough?

T

twopu

New member
I detailed a 2001 Mercedes today and the brake dust on the front rims were baked on. I was on a tight time schedule because she needed her car back. I sprayed the rims with a 4:1 ratio and that helped with the face of the rim but not on the outside edges and inside the spokes. I tried a 1:1 ratio and stiff nylon brush but that didn't really do anything. I didn't try it straight because I figured if a 1:1 ratio did very little going straight would do very little. Because I had to get the car back to her I told her that I would try again when she was free. She said I didn't need to, but I insisted because it really annoyed me that I couldn't take the break dust off. Any suggestions?
 
You can see how the face of the rim looks good but inside the spokes and outside edges have baked on break dust.



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thats really weird....I did a mercedes with 5 years of brake duct sitting on it, never detailed, never polished.....the brake dust came off with two applications of WB 4:1....the rust didnt, but I didnt expect it to....
 
This is where the oh so famous Clay Bar comes in (that you don't mind throwing out when you are done). 1st try cleaning with break cleaner fluid. Then wash the rim good, then what is left use clay bar. As much as I feel clay bar is over used for things, this is when it will come in handy.
 
Yah, the wheel laughed at the clay bar.



How long can I let WB stay on the rim? I sprayed then scrubbed for 45 secs before spraying down.
 
Toyotaguy, I tried that 3 times and it didn't really help.



wicho66, I didn't try a degreaser but I'll try anything. I just don't want to ruin the wheels.
 
i have those identical wheels and have never needed anything more than soap and water to clean them :nixweiss never let the dust sit that long but every so often ill use some megs all wheel or mothers wheel cleaner just to make sure the back of the rim is spotless, thats normally the area i have trouble removing everything but have never had a problem with a good soak and brush.
 
When I have trouble with wheels that have extremely hard to get off brake dust, wheel brightner plus #0000 Steel wool never failed me!
 
01bluecls said:
When I have trouble with wheels that have extremely hard to get off brake dust, wheel brightner plus #0000 Steel wool never failed me!
Click to expand...





I just tried a variation of this. First I hit the wheels a few times with WB and most of it came off. However closer into the wheels there was still a lot of buildup. I tried some 105 on a Mothers mini ball, nothing. I tried #66 and got a bit more off. I then tried the 0000 with some #66 (good chemical cleaners) and it came off with ease. I'm impressed at how much brake dust killing power the steel wool has without really affecting the finish much. I could have spent days with a nylon brush and really killed the finish.
 
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