Stubborn brake dust on wheels

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NGRhodes

NGRhodes

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Jan 6, 2013
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Probably been caked on for years.
3 applications of Wonder wheels got the bulk, a plastic scouring pad got a load more (30 minutes scrubbing a wheel), but still some remains. I feel like it might be less effort to sand down and repaint !

Any one got any tips to remove ?
 
You can try a pressure washer on low in an inconspicuous spot to hide any damage in case the coating starts to peel off rom the power.
 
Might want to try a paint prep product, which is abrasive. Something like Collinite 325.
 
I’m not familiar with Wonder Wheels and their website is a pop up nightmare. I would try Sonax Wheel Cleaner Full Effect.
 
Originally Posted By: NGRhodes
Probably been caked on for years.
3 applications of Wonder wheels got the bulk, a plastic scouring pad got a load more (30 minutes scrubbing a wheel), but still some remains. I feel like it might be less effort to sand down and repaint !

Any one got any tips to remove ?


Iron X is also an option. I have used it on painted surfaces only, not on rims, but I would assume it works just as well on those?
https://www.autogeek.net/carpro-iron-x-cleaner.html
Lots of vids available if you are unsure or haven't used it before?
 
Originally Posted By: irv
Originally Posted By: NGRhodes
Probably been caked on for years.
3 applications of Wonder wheels got the bulk, a plastic scouring pad got a load more (30 minutes scrubbing a wheel), but still some remains. I feel like it might be less effort to sand down and repaint !

Any one got any tips to remove ?


Iron X is also an option. I have used it on painted surfaces only, not on rims, but I would assume it works just as well on those?
https://www.autogeek.net/carpro-iron-x-cleaner.html
Lots of vids available if you are unsure or haven't used it before?


Should be fine on wheels depending on the finish. Mine are painted so they get treated same as a painted surface.
 
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Originally Posted By: irv
Originally Posted By: NGRhodes
Probably been caked on for years.
3 applications of Wonder wheels got the bulk, a plastic scouring pad got a load more (30 minutes scrubbing a wheel), but still some remains. I feel like it might be less effort to sand down and repaint !

Any one got any tips to remove ?


Iron X is also an option. I have used it on painted surfaces only, not on rims, but I would assume it works just as well on those?
https://www.autogeek.net/carpro-iron-x-cleaner.html
Lots of vids available if you are unsure or haven't used it before?


Should be fine on wheels depending on the finish. Mine are painted so they get treated same as a painted surface.


It looks like MeGuiars now has their own, which is likely the same product, so whichever is cheaper or more readily available?
 
Are they plastic coated? Start out mild … Dawn mixed strong … let dry … J&J baby oil … then Dawn again …
 
Originally Posted By: 4WD
Are they plastic coated? Start out mild … Dawn mixed strong … let dry … J&J baby oil … then Dawn again …


Is there something special/unique about Dawn? I read about it for using it with vinegar to kill weeds from a pressure sprayer.

I didn't have any on hand so I just used Sunlight and it worked great. The soap is only so the vinegar sticks to the weeds so I am curious why Dawn is recommended when any will do?

I know my situation is a far cry from cleaning wheels, but has Dawn been proven somewhere to be the best when it comes to cleaning wheels and other things?
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Other dishsoaps are fine … just find Dawn excellent at cutting through crud and grease … and they always contribute to oil spill cleanups ~ so being from the gulf coast I try to support them …
… the baby oil is something where like dissolves like … I use it to get grease off my hands from cleaning an old bearing and then dish soap to remove what oil that leaves behind … figure it is safer on the skin than WD40 which works too …

Vinegar and Dawn is an old tub/shower mix for folks with lots of rental properties … Dawn for the oil and vinegar for the calcium/lime …

PS… dish soap is a cheap surfactant to augment weed killer (strips barriers from leaf)
 
Last edited:
It could be rust from the rotors. Try some naval jelly, let it sit for a half hour, then go over with a toothbrush.
 
Some wheels are a lost cause if the brake dust has been on there for years. You may have gotten them as clean as they will come. I detail quite a few cars that have never been detailed, or had a decent cleaning in years and many times the brake dust will etch the wheel and not much you can do at that point.
 
For Neglected rims that have some really tough built up brake dust, i’ve had some good success with Flitz Metal polish. It’s broken up the stuck on particles pretty well and it does not damage clearcoat paint.
 
I had some aluminum clear coated wheels with brake dust build up so heavy it looked like it had corroded the wheels. Tried the new-ish Meguiars Ultimate Wheel Cleaner, which looks similar to the Wheel Bright product but is maybe a bit thicker for cling. The first pass just letting it soak took the much of the brake dust off well but left pockets where it still looked like corrosion. I did a second pass using a wheel brush, letting the product soak for a few minutes and then scrubbing the wheel down. Wheels ended up looking as good as new.

Next time I have wheels with heavy dust, I'll just soak and scrub from the outset.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: WetWilly
I had some aluminum clear coated wheels with brake dust build up so heavy it looked like it had corroded the wheels. Tried the new-ish Meguiars Ultimate Wheel Cleaner, which looks similar to the Wheel Bright product but is maybe a bit thicker for cling. The first pass just letting it soak took the much of the brake dust off well but left pockets where it still looked like corrosion. I did a second pass using a wheel brush, letting the product soak for a few minutes and then scrubbing the wheel down. Wheels ended up looking as good as new.

Next time I have wheels with heavy dust, I'll just soak and scrub from the outset.

Thanks for sharing.
 
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