AG tar remover, left on for a little while, perhaps coupled with claying should do it. Make sure you protect the paint work afterwards with SPR & EGP or UDS on it's own or even better, HD wax. We've not had this issue on our GT but then again, I'm obsessive about keeping the mint!

 

Do you have the 305mm pads, SR? The dust from them is murder on alloys, I don't know why I didn't anticipate it on the paintwork.

Could try the gradual solvent route I suppose? Start with the less aggresive, white spirit, methylated Spirit.......?

Or no expense spared, brake component cleaner in an aerosol?:

Wow, ZF! Brake cleaner sounds drastic! Have you tried it on paintwork?

 

Could try the gradual solvent route I suppose? Start with the less aggresive, white spirit, methylated Spirit.......?

 

Or no expense spared, brake component cleaner in an aerosol?:

 

i've had the same problem, took the pads out and put stock ones back in. Sorted!

The only thing that took the dust off the alloys fully was Autosmarts trade wheel cleaner, not sure I'd trust it on the more delicate car paint surface though!

 

Won't affect paintwork or rubber, and is a pretty good solvent degreaser. Just try a small area first, if you feel dubious about using it? Don't forget to put the polish back on over the area afterwards though.

 

Thanks for the ideas, will give 'em a go.

I have the 330mm brake upgrade with stock pads to go on the car soon, so should remove the problem for good. A warning for all thinking of using very agressive carbon/metallic pads!

Cheers.

 

I've warned about this before. It's the only downside of the PF's IMHO. My advice is get everything fully clean and then protect fully, wheels included. Another thought would be good old WD40. FYI, we have the 330 disks on the GT. Once you've gone PF you will struggle to go back!

 

Pity I didn't see the warning. I've SRP'd and waxed the car fully twice since the pads went on and didn't notice this before. I think with the roads recently being covered in mucky sticky mess that remains wet on the car for some time, it's allowed the brake dust to stick to the surface and do its evil, especially as I've not had chance to wash the car since before christmas! Damage done whether waxed or not.

AFAIK there are two types of 305mm PF pads, I think Autolusso gave an option for the more race spec one (maybe PFC01), as opposed to the 330mm more rounded z-rated carbon metallic ones I reviewed.

Ned didn't really say, but I'd heard the 305s were very aggressive in action - I didn't realise there were two types?
They certainly are very effective.

 

AFAIK there are two types of 305mm PF pads, I think Autolusso gave an option for the more race spec one (maybe PFC01), as opposed to the 330mm more rounded z-rated carbon metallic ones I reviewed.

I'm sure the PFC01 330mm setup would really STOP the GTA fast, but I would imagine you would need alloy bell two piece rotors to cope with the heat and avoid warping (or needing to skim the disks). Given that the 330mm z-rated pads pull close to 1.2 g with type-r tyres, most people wont need the real race pads unless they are getting very competitive with track times.

Ferodo DS3000's can apparently give similar issues, although I didn't personally notice it on paintwork myself myself, but did notice very slight bubbling of my standard alloys after I used DS3000's at the Ring.

 

Using clay should do it but may take a few goes.

 

While I do know that PF have at least two compounds, I dont know for sure that Autolusso gave you the PFC01 one, or that they offer it.
I was basing my post on a recollection of some posts a while back from another Autolusso customer who mentioned that they were given an option..

I'm sure Ned would be able to clarify what you have, hope I haven't caused any confusion

 

No, don't worry I'm not going to sue Ned! :lol: But then again ...

I had recently read some reviews of pads used by Evo drivers and some pads caused similar problems to wheels and paint

By contrast the Ferodo DS2500 are very wheel and paint 'friendly' with low brake dust, I've been using them for last 5 years without seeing any problems

Think I'll use stock pads with the new brakes and see how they are first, but I have been looking at the DS2500. How are they on brake squeal ... I guess you have the 330mm?

 

I had recently read some reviews of pads used by Evo drivers and some pads caused similar problems to wheels and paint

By contrast the Ferodo DS2500 are very wheel and paint 'friendly' with low brake dust, I've been using them for last 5 years without seeing any problems

 

Brake squeal is very little to none when used with my 305mm Brembo calipers, but I have a set on my standard calipers on my other 156 and they squeal a bit at low speeds which is annoying - I think this is because I need to service those brakes because the standard Alfa pads squealed too :lol:

If it wasnt for that small issue of occasional squeal the DS2500 would be great, with very low dust and great braking feel.

 

It does seem the 305s are more prone to squeal - mine were not bad too bad on stock and terrible on PF pads

Less brake dust would be nice

 

I get less brake dust from the DS2500's than from standard Alfa pads.......or at least there is less brake dust stuck on the wheels.

Hope your get your car sorted out soon......

 

I have PF pads on 305's. Luckily the car is polished regularly so it hasn't stuck to the car, but the wheels are now a mess as I didn't keep them clean for a while. 3 hours spent on them and they are still not clean. I was warned though when they were fitted.

I find they do not squeal that badly.

 

Yes, I even posted a warning about PF dust on alloys some time back. D'oh!

I have some nice 18" GT multi alloys that are not going anywhere near the car till the brakes are sorted.

I get less brake dust from the DS2500's than from standard Alfa pads.......or at least there is less brake dust stuck on the wheels.

Hope your get your car sorted out soon......

Cheers, Pascs.

 

My DS2500's don't squeal. Brake dust is minimal.


Ralf S.

 

Ralf - where exactly is the land that time forgot?

Cheers :thumbs:

 

The 330mm pf pads were much quieter than my ds2500s, which used to squeek at low speeds occasionally. Nowhere near as badly as ds3000 though!! I had track marshalls covering their ears when I entered the paddock once! :lol:

 

Wow that is bad, TB :lol: These PF pads are sometimes, especially after a long drive, very loud, but I've never seen anyone in pain!

 

Well, chaps. Done some tests with WD40, white spirit, SRP, AG engine cleaner (acidic) and easily the most effective substance for removing this stuff is .... alloy wheel cleaner , and second was the engine cleaner ... yeah, I know what you're thinking, acidic cleaner and all. Just a small patch about 2" square for each test. I took some photos, but it's almost impossible to see anything on them.

I did a further test on a larger area with some Turtle Wax Nano wheel cleaner, left it on for 1 minute and gently agitating it with a soft cloth - I could feel the roughness disappearing, then rinsed off with plenty of water. It removed as far as I can tell 100% of the brake dust, and doesn't seem to have affected the clear coat, smooth and shiny.

Followed the area up with SRP and Meguiars Tech Wax and the finish looks clean, shiny and pretty good.

As this is a one off, I feel it would be ok to proceed with this, and due to a lot of stonechip damage and some scratching and swirling, I was contemplating a full respray, so I've nothing to lose, 'til I really bite the bullet and get it sprayed.

However, if anyone has any serious misgivings about this, i.e. don't do this 'cos your paint will dissolve within a week!, then please shout up now.

 

Have a problem with this kind of thing at work.
the company car park has serious problems with "industrial fallout".
3 days and all the cars are orange........far far worse than brake dust..
Caused by airboure metalic patricles embedding in the paintwork, like brake dust, juston every imaginable part of the car body, windows and trim.
We tried everything from oxalic acid to wd-40.
By far the best was a combination of a hard clay bar from "BILT-HAMBER" cost around £10 from thier website and Meguires detailing spray, around £10 from halfords, as a lubricant.
Takes some elbow to get off, but results are amazing.
Fininsh off with a hard wax, such as curnuba, to put a "shell" on the paint.
Completely safe on types of paint, glass and trim.
Clay bars will last for ages if used correctly. (still on my 1st bar after 6 months hammer).
Never think of re-spraying over anything like this, as the particles rust, it eats the paint from the inside and does a nasty job to upset you after the time, effort and expense of ruining the re-spray.
Hope this is of use to anyone interested.

 

Cheers for this, certainly shows the power of the clay bar, which I understand can be quite abrasive unless used with plenty of lubricant?

If I go down the respray route I'll make sure the paintwork is well prepped and certainly shouldn't have any of the PF dust on it.

Won't be for a while yet, if I do.

 

Used acidic based re-finishing products to give bite and key, so steady as she goes, or it may, or may not, dull the gloss? Nothing ventured, nothing gained, over to you.:

 

Will be taking it very steady alright, I've seen how good this stuff is at removing rust from brake disc/hubs :lol:

 

i've had the same problem, took the pads out and put stock ones back in. Sorted!

Same here....

 

thats not good

none of these problems with the Ferodo pads which are very gentle on the discs and little dust on the wheels. I have been using the DS2500's on my V6 with Brembo calipers for at least a year and my GTA wheels are near perfect condition.

 

i'm now having to replace the discs and pads after not even 5 months. Not happy! (plus me alloys are knackered)

My Tarox discs and PF pads were destroyed in under 5 months and had to refurb the alloys too (very very heavy deposits then steam cleaner took paint off trying to get it off), the PF's were a tad harsh I think... When these standard current discs are done (starting to warp already) I will get a 330mm upgrade but stick to Ferodo or similar pad I think.

 

Why the need for PF Racing pads in the first place. My car had the 305mm brakes and no issues with brakes or warpage. They weren't even specials discs and pads just the usual factor stuff.

 

The PF pads transform braking. Even on ours with the 330 disks. Really chalk and cheese. You just need to protect all the paint & wheels really well. Cleaning becomes much less of an issue. I'm really surprised to hear that you'd go back to a standard set up:wow:

 

My understanding is the 330mm pads are a proper road pad, the 305mm are not and are much harsher. TBH my wheels needed a refurb anyway before having the PF pads so I am not that fussed. Stories of discs being eaten within 5 months are not that great though, maybe ferrodo next time and then get the wheels sorted. In fairness in my case Ned warned me of all the down sides to the PF pads, in particular the 305mm version.

 

I recently took my V6 156 to the track with DS2500 pads, very good consistent braking with no fade. I never used the DS performance pads but I believe they are pretty similar for road use

 

good stuff, decision made. Might even dip me toe back into the sporty disc market, if only for cosmetics!