flippin impossible brake dust removal - tried everything!

must admit, don't own any, but a handy thing to have in the garage!

Must invest in some..

Clay bar and lube.
Or try autosmart smartwheels, non caustic and safe as houses.

incidentally, where can you get autosmart stuff from?

RECENTLY USED SHIFT OVEN CLEANER [CAUSTIC FOAM ]. MARK 1 I64 WHEELS E A PAIN TO CLEaN FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS .NEEDS TWO GOES TO REALLY SOFTEN THE DEPOSIT. TEST FIRST.ON SPARE!
YOUNG ALF

no need to SHOUT

Originally Posted by explosive alfa

no need to SHOUT

Sorry?? *cups his hand to his ear*

Originally Posted by kernowmcrae

incidentally, where can you get autosmart stuff from?

Only from autosmart, you should have a local rep who travels around once a fortnight in your area.
If you wan't to try anything let me know and i can send you some good size samples fella

Just had this issue as just purcahsed a 147 wheels not bad but had baked on brake dust in the corners etc..

I would not use any harsh cleaners WTF ! this will only damage the surface !

i gave them a good clean with shampoo then paint cleaner/polish 68 Nano this was good for getting all the crap off then for the really stubburn bits i used body work clay and this just lifted it off , then i applied a sealant and wax , this gives you loads of protection against the dreaded Brake dust and means it will simply wash off in the future, some swear by a wheel sealant , but i have found the stuff you use on the body work just as good

Involves a bit of elbox grease at first but once done it done and will wash off easy then on !

Should have taken a before shot of my wheel but forgot but this is how they look now !

wow. bet you're pleased with those bad boys. sweet.

Originally Posted by dazzo

Only from autosmart, you should have a local rep who travels around once a fortnight in your area.
If you wan't to try anything let me know and i can send you some good size samples fella

Any chance of giving this stuff a go?

Getting to the point of considering fitting those plastic bin lid dust covers...

If yoe have a local Tesco, they have an APC (all purpose cleaner) in the household cleaning aisle called "Daisy", it can be used neat on wheels or diltued. It won't damage the wheel and should move a fair amount of dirt before you start claying them... plus it's only 65p for 1.5litres!

Also maybe try some WD40 on them as this is good at breaking down the dust.

i'm amazed at all these suggestions! All very ingenious I have to say. I'll get a photo of what's left, main thing is I don't want to clay the wheels every time I wash them!

Cleaned the Ti tonight. Wheels were dead easy to clean with just a sponge & the Autoglym wheel brush. I wax them each time with Aquawax along with the rest of the car but occasions use propper wheel wax. The GT's wheels are a real pain though!

AS smart wheels is safe for any rim, daisy has the wrong ingredients to break down the dust.
And yep, if you use any good wax or (preferably) a sealant it will do the same as rim wax.

Yup a few coatings of Chemical Guys Wheel Guard on the alloys once they are clean should make them nice and easy to clean in the future

Originally Posted by kernowmcrae

main thing is I don't want to clay the wheels every time I wash them!

you only need to clay them once and thats it , as the idea of the sealant and wax as oppossed to a cleaner what ever it is ? is that a cleaner cleans them but gives no protection giving your brake dust a great surface to cling too again ! where as once there sealed and waxed, the brake dust will just wash off with no cleaners needed !

i never use wheel cleaner for this reason, just wash once a week and this maintains the look and protection and top up the wax every few months !

would you spray these cleaners on your paintwork ?

I wouldn't, but the brake pads I've got generate some terrible dust, after two days of driving it's impossible to shift. My old routine of shampooing the wheels and waxing them used to work, but nothing shifts this stuff, unless it's abrasive. Horrible stuff! I'll post a photo tomorrow for you all to cringe at.

never heard of pads being that bad ?

the best you could hope for is use something like PB wheel sealant, its designed for the job and some on other forums use it and swear by it, its just that i have never needed too so have not used it, if that does not work then its daily cleaning of your wheels !!

Originally Posted by NFN

never heard of pads being that bad ?

the best you could hope for is use something like PB wheel sealant, its designed for the job and some on other forums use it and swear by it, its just that i have never needed too so have not used it, if that does not work then its daily cleaning of your wheels !!

Doesn't the magnificent Carlac make something that'll do the job?

hi, just thought i would add my 2p. i leave my (satin black) wheels for ages, i have standard brake pads, but i leave the wheels so long that the amount of brake dust makes them look a dark red!

comes straight off with megs gold class car shampoo, never had any issue with dust. absolutely no bother whatsoever.