best wheel cleaner to remove embedded brake dust?

[Mtnbiker]

I assume some acid is going to be the best to remove brake dust from race pads. If it matters, I use G-Lock and Carbotech.
Apex Whels.

 

[RallyXaDSM]

Sonax Wheel Cleaner Plus did wonders removing the 10-15 year old race pad dust from a set of wheels I bought.

 

[dubber09]

Throttle body cleaner works well.

 

[matrass]

Sonax is a real good wheel cleaner .

Used it on many paying customer cars with good results.

 

[jcarr0314]

Purple Power

 

[chris719]

The best non-acid cleaner for brake dust is Koch Chemie MWC, but any of them with a high concentration of iron remover will work. So, that means Sonax, Tuga, Gyeon, Armour Detail Supply, CarPro WheelX, Griot's Heavy Duty, etc. Just avoid the alkaline cleaners, they do not really touch heavy brake dust.

I would give MWC a try before you resort to acid.

 

[JN94]

I use hydrochloric acid highly diluted with water.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

I assume some acid is going to be the best to remove brake dust from race pads. If it matters, I use G-Lock and Carbotech.
Apex Whels.

Whomever makes the tire cleaner at my local BMW dealership. Sonax??

 

[Nukeman7]

The ArmorAll Extreme Wheel and Tire Cleaner works wonders removing brake dust, especially when used in conjunction with a wheel bristle brush. It won't harm painted finishes unless you apply it on hot rims or allow it to dry before rinsing.

 

[MurkyAsparagus]

Acid will be effective. Adam’s Wheel and Tire cleaner, with the purple fluid, is probably the most powerful non acidic cleaner.

 

[Duckless]

Whomever makes the tire cleaner at my local BMW dealership. Sonax??

I used the BMW stuff for years before I switched to Sonax's wheel cleaner and although I haven't used other brands, I would've swore they were the same stuff. The Sonax Plus is even better.

 

[sw99]

https://www.amazon.com/Wheely-Clean...765976254&sprefix=wheely+,aps,200&sr=8-5&th=1

Wheely Clean is what a lot of the detailers use. I have tried them all and this is by far the best. I but the gallon concentrate and mix my own, it's cheaper that way.

 

[chris719]

Acid will be effective. Adam’s Wheel and Tire cleaner, with the purple fluid, is probably the most powerful non acidic cleaner.

It is strong on dirt and oil but not on brake dust. Iron remover types will take it off touchlessly and Adam's will not touch it without agitation. The alkaline cleaners do not have the ability to penetrate the films without agitation it seems.

 

[chris719]

https://www.amazon.com/Wheely-Clean-Wheel-Rim-Cleaner/dp/B08126F3MJ/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3MUA61S5MCM0X&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.L1-LI--SSpc8lQCzp1cMKjfwGL6bpPeJO652E7De0JJjVsXoOMnc0eQas3klaUh_x4Mxlp-NsXmfJ3KRywl_KNBXRGQRl1wvF9eUJWM4jCizBDRF5WXaY9oCydw3HDthCPcWY3O-8nBNETaDiviarjU11fpYk6AcQubi9nzHunIOnh1RoVn-v10gMRBDg0Ih1m4qjchjjzGB05k0Tg2fzxVol0TS6l0G_XOh0aFBAc6V7kblhAiHDkR_cqcaLzStuddupgNq5jMi4bjtPQ8NRrNQpnbGYqyvl5i1HOoefKg.UizFDWCEqhZw23QUUQIP3xFTKHl7hOwELFcjlTgaiqA&dib_tag=se&keywords=wheely+clean+concentrate&qid=1765976254&sprefix=wheely+,aps,200&sr=8-5&th=1

Wheely Clean is what a lot of the detailers use. I have tried them all and this is by far the best. I but the gallon concentrate and mix my own, it's cheaper that way.

I have no idea what's in it, but if it's not HF acid / ABF or iron remover based it's not the best. It looks and reads just like any other alkaline APC.

 

[MurkyAsparagus]

It is strong on dirt and oil but not on brake dust. Iron remover types will take it off touchlessly and Adam's will not touch it without agitation. The alkaline cleaners do not have the ability to penetrate the films without agitation it seems.

I’ve had good luck with it. I’ve used it on 4 different BMWs now that are notorious for very heavy brake dust and it seems to take it right off.

 

[chris719]

I’ve had good luck with it. I’ve used it on 4 different BMWs now that are notorious for very heavy brake dust and it seems to take it right off.

It will clean it but requires full agitation. On my M2 Competition's brake dust, spraying it and letting it dwell and rinsing did almost nothing whereas Koch Chemie MWC will clean 95% of it without even touching it if you use enough product.

 

[MurkyAsparagus]

It will clean it but requires full agitation. On my M2 Competition's brake dust, spraying it and letting it dwell and rinsing did almost nothing whereas Koch Chemie MWC will clean 95% of it without even touching it if you use enough product.

Hmmm interesting. It does require a bit of agitation but nothing I've thought has been too bad. I've used it on a '25 M440i, '25 X5 M60i, '23 X3, and '26 X3. I can't keep the dang wheels clean on any of those. How do you like all your KC products? I've thought about making the switch over.

 

[iCurious]

The ArmorAll Extreme Wheel and Tire Cleaner works wonders removing brake dust, especially when used in conjunction with a wheel bristle brush. It won't harm painted finishes unless you apply it on hot rims or allow it to dry before rinsing.

That is a great price. Wonder how it compares to Superior Dark Fury..

 

[Mtnbiker]

I have also wondered about the quality and qualities of SUPERIOR PRODUCTS and TECHNICIANS CHOICE. how do they compare to Carpro?

 

[jackz]

What ever you use NEVER spray on hot wheels from just driving