I found a quick way to remove brake dust!

KenSilver · 11-20-04, 10:50

I recently put new alloys on my Mercedes SL500... nice looking wide 5-spoke AMG's.

But the problem has been brake dust, which is more pronounced on these deep wheels than the previous ones because the spokes show more of the inside of the wheel than my previous 8-holes. The front brakes seem to have their own dust factory. In the space of a 30 minute drive, the inside flats of the front wheels are coated with black grime. As the inside wheels are a light grey color, it doesn't take long for them to turn black.

Until today I've been getting in there with a dry terry towel for the inner part of the wheel, and using mf's and QD for the clear coated rim and spokes.

However it was a long and messy job, and I never seemed to be able to get the inner part completely free of dust. But now I can, and I use my air compressor to do it.

Half a dozen quick blasts clears the dust right off the inside rims, even behind the spokes! What used to take 5 minutes a wheel now takes 15 seconds, and because I do this after every drive, it is a big time saver.

The only thing that worries me is the brake dust. What's in it? Asbestos? Just in case, I'm going to keep safe by wearing a dust face mask and doing the cleaning in the open.

Ken Silver
--------------
1999 Mercedes SLK, 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara, 1993 Mercedes SL500, 1991 Daimler (Vanden Plas). Finish detailing, then start all over again...

oaevo8u · 11-20-04, 10:57

I have a similar prob, I can wash my in the morning and by the end of the day my wheels are almost black and im not exagerating.

LouisanaJeeper · 11-20-04, 11:00

some pads do have asbestos in them

to take it to the next level, take off your wheels and put some Zaino or Klasse on them so cleaning will be easier as the dust will not stick as much

for a more permanant solution consider ceramic brake pads

KenSilver · 11-20-04, 11:14

Quote:

Originally posted by LouisanaJeeper
...for a more permanant solution consider ceramic brake pads

Good idea, but Mercedes don't have these for a reason. As far as I'm aware, it's something to do with the disk wear.

Knockwurst · 11-21-04, 03:01

The air compressor is extremely useful - I seem to find new uses for it every other weekend. I feel your pain as my set of BBS' become caked with dust shortly after washing. It looks unsightly and is a challenge to remove. Hawk, Mintex, Pagid, etc., make a better brake pad. These pads will dust much less without sacrificing performance or safety. As a matter of fact they'll outperform the OEM pads without chewing up the rotors. This is your best solution.

vdog0531 · 11-21-04, 06:20

great lookin car and great idea

Vernon

antwanjohnson · 11-21-04, 06:46

Quote:

Originally posted by oaevo8u
I have a similar prob, I can wash my in the morning and by the end of the day my wheels are almost black and im not exagerating.

I've heard that it's the Brembos (w/ cheap pads) that cause that.

AJ

DetailGirl · 11-21-04, 08:19

Quote:

Originally posted by Knockwurst
The air compressor is extremely useful - I seem to find new uses for it every other weekend. I feel your pain as my set of BBS' become caked with dust shortly after washing. It looks unsightly and is a challenge to remove. Hawk, Mintex, Pagid, etc., make a better brake pad. These pads will dust much less without sacrificing performance or safety. As a matter of fact they'll outperform the OEM pads without chewing up the rotors. This is your best solution.

Any places in the USA that sell the Mintex or Pagid pads??

Can I use these pads on OEM rotars that have been turned once?

skipperw · 11-21-04, 12:31

I use Michelin Brake Dust Repellant. Works great.

christyles · 11-21-04, 01:30

yup. first step to reducing brake dust accumulation is changing the pads. I second the hawks and pagid. I also recommend Axxis Deluxe + (US)/ PBS (canada). I'm not sure if they're manufactured for any ohter cars but the majority of BMW enthusiaists here in Toronto use them and they're great. BMW OEM pads are notorious for brake dust.

A couple guys I know have also suggested Wheel Wax for rim protection. I'm just not sure how good they are though.

kempie · 11-21-04, 01:50

Performance Friction Ceramic Brake pads.
Solved the dust problem on my Cad. I have not noticed any extra rotor ware. But if there is and I have to change them a little sooner its worth not having to mess w/the dust all the time. Plus I have saved $ not buying wheel cleaner all the time.

KenSilver · 11-21-04, 02:15

I'm going to check out the ceramic pads idea with my Mercedes shop this afternoon, but from past experience I doubt they'll have an answer.

Every Merc I've know, as well as the half dozen I've owned, produces dust like it's going out of fashion.

Surely, if only a few thousand buyers rose up in protest over the years, you'd think Mercedes would see reason and produce ceramic as an option. But no - it's dust or nothing. And I'm not inclined to second-guess a giant multinational with more brake experts than the population of a small country.