Iron X Paste to the rescue

[RaysWay]

Last night I started on a 2006 BMW 3-Series 325i Sedan and ran into some CAKED on brake dust.

My normal process is to clean the wheels/tires, wash the car, decontaminate the paint, dry it off then restore headlights/taillights on day one, so the car is prepped and ready to be polished inside on day two. I arrived at the dealership at my normal 6:30 pm time and started to work on the wheels and tires.

Here`s a picture of the car before I started.





After starting on the first wheel and tire, I quickly realized this was going to be a long night. There were patches of brake dust that looked like they`ve been there for a long time. After multiple applications of Optimum FerreX, I decided break the glass on a bottle of Iron X Paste.



I haven`t had to use this stuff since the first time I cleaned the wheels on my Nissan Maxima which was my first detail ever at PBMG.

I was losing daylight quickly so I had to use my LED Light Stand to keep working in the dark. This picture was taken after I`d say 6-8? applications of Optimum Ferrex.



These are the patches that I had to keep working on.





By the way, these Orange Heavy Duty Nitrile Gloves are great. I`m also wearing an N95 3M Disposable Respirator.



I applied a small dab of Iron X Paste to the trouble spots and spread it out using my finger.



Iron X Paste takes a little longer to work than spray on Iron Removers. I waited 5-6 minutes for the paste to work.



Then I came back and sprayed the wheels with Optimum FerreX, I`m glad I bought a gallon.



I spent over 4 hours on the wheels alone to get to this point, with at least 15 different cleaning steps on the front two wheels. The drivers side front wheel was the worst and the only wheel that I didn`t get perfectly clean. I worked on two wheels and tires at a time and got the other wheels looking perfect (without taking the wheels off of course). So I decided to move ahead with the detail since this was taking so long and ended up washing the car and decontaminated before drying it. I`ll have to wash the car again anyways after polishing to prep it for a coating so I`ll just finish the drivers side front wheel on the second wash.



The rear wheels and tires were much easier to clean with only two applications of FerreX on each wheel. I used Amazing Roll Off undiluted on the tires. On the bright side, I was able to scrub the tires several times while the Iron X Paste was dwelling.





I just wanted to share my experience with very stubborn wheels. I`ve never spent more than 2 hours on wheels and tires and I wasn`t going to let the wheels win.



Full write-up on this BMW coming soon! I didn`t get as far into the detail as I normally do on day one but it was a good night nonetheless. I`ll just have to polish the headlights before polishing tonight.

Thanks for reading!

[Migue]

So ultimately, the paste took care of the stubborn brake dust effectively and efficiently?

[Ronkh]

Nice work.

With wheels like that, I`ve always had luck with Spray and rinse. May cut the work a little.

[Marc08EX]

You`re really killing it Ray!!! You`re a machine!

Great job! Can`t wait for the entire write-up on that BMW. I`m sure that paint will SHINE.

[RaysWay]

So ultimately, the paste took care of the stubborn brake dust effectively and efficiently?

Much more effectively than other wheel cleaners while still being safe on the finish of these wheels. It just took some time and patience.

Nice work.

With wheels like that, I`ve always had luck with Spray and rinse. May cut the work a little.

Thanks, I`ll take any suggestion I can get. I`ll have to purchase other wheel cleaners in the future for situations like this. I`m thinking PB Spray and Rinse, Meguiars Non Acid Wheel and Tire Cleaner or Wheel Brightener will be purchased shortly.

You`re really killing it Ray!!! You`re a machine!

Great job! Can`t wait for the entire write-up on that BMW. I`m sure that paint will SHINE.

Another day another dollar lol. Thanks Marc.

[RaysWay]

If there`s any tools or products you guys want to see me use on this just let me know and I`ll try and squeeze it into the detail.

[Pats300zx]

Ray...You might want to look into Megs Wheel Brightner at 4:1 for the really nasty wheels. It`s pretty potent stuff but gets the job done.

[Angus]

Iron X paste was my gate way into this world of detailing!!! My BWM also had terrible caked on brake dust nuggets NOTHING would remove and after countless Google searches I stumbled across Iron X paste and Autogeek Now 3 years later I`m a full on detailing junkie...

You just need to coat those bad boys with some DP Wheel Coating!

[4u2nvinmtl]

I had a simular issue with the Acura EL I did a few weeks back. The owner clearly NEVER washed the wheels and brake dust was caked on black all the way around the spokes (like a cast iron frying pan). I had great success using a rough dish sponge soaked in iron-x and sprayed the heck out of the wheels with that Britemax Iron Max you sent me

I know the dish sponge isn`t very Autopian, but I needed something with bite to scrub the spokes and clean quickly as my wheel woolies weren`t cutting it.

[Vegas1]

Great job! I have a couple of small spots of caked on brake dust that I can`t get rid of on one wheel. Looks like this is the way to go.

[mnehls86]

If there`s any tools or products you guys want to see me use on this just let me know and I`ll try and squeeze it into the detail.

Haven`t seen anyone use any blackice lately. Or maybe try out the Hydrofoam if you haven`t already.

[rlmccarty2000]

Now that is dedication to the cause! 4 hours and working in the dark. Get yourself a cold one, you deserve it.

[allenk4]

If there`s any tools or products you guys want to see me use on this just let me know and I`ll try and squeeze it into the detail.

Microfiber Madness- Dry Me Crazy MF Towel vs. Guzzler WW

[RDKC]

Good info here. I`ve actually been curious about my Escape wheels. Same problem you have except it`s caked inside the barrel and I have yet to get it off. Definitely not one of the more enjoyable aspects.

I know it`s not my thread but, thanks for the tips. Spending my money for me again.

[RaysWay]

Now that is dedication to the cause! 4 hours and working in the dark. Get yourself a cold one, you deserve it.

Done lol thanks. It was actually nice. No distractions and there was a nice breeze. Much better than washing a car in the Florida heat.

Microfiber Madness- Dry Me Crazy MF Towel vs. Guzzler WW

They`re sold out I`ll keep an eye out for them.

Good info here. I`ve actually been curious about my Escape wheels. Same problem you have except it`s caked inside the barrel and I have yet to get it off. Definitely not one of the more enjoyable aspects.

I know it`s not my thread but, thanks for the tips. Spending my money for me again.

Ya some things just take time. But clean shoes are worth it.