Baked Brake Dust

C

chips2002

New member
Hello,

I recently bought a '05 Infinity G35 with factory 18" sports rims. The problem is the rims are covered with brake dust and it won't come off.

I tried claying it and that didn't do much except make the surface real smooth. I sprayed some Simple Green and worked it in with a nylon brush and that didn't help. I then bought Meguiars Hot Rims all wheel cleaner and that didn't work either.

I was wondering what are some more aggressive products I could use without damaging the rims. I have heard of Poorboys Spray and Rinse Cleaner to be pretty aggressive (pH = 4).

What do you professional detailers use to get baked on dust off rims? Also, does anyone know if the G35 has clearcoat on the rims. Thanks.
 
Are these painted wheels or are they aluminum? If they're aluminum and are OEM, they are most likely clear coated.
 
I know what you are talking about with the G35 brake dust and I had got really good results with EO A2Z.

Depending on how bad it is it may have etched the rims

Good luck

"J"
 
You may have to break out the hydrofloric acid. If you do be very careful. Googles, heavy rubber gloves and avoid the fumes. DO NOT let this stuff set on the wheels especially in the sun.

I recently removed some very heavy baked on brake dust from a 40k mile BMW X5 and removed about 95% of the dust using this nasty and dangerous material.
 
I'm surprised to see that no one has mentioned a PC and some varying degrees of polish. I polish both sets of my wheels with a PC and top them with some wheel sealant once a year and they look great.
 
chips2002 said:
Hello,

I recently bought a '05 Infinity G35 with factory 18" sports rims. The problem is the rims are covered with brake dust and it won't come off.

I tried claying it and that didn't do much except make the surface real smooth. I sprayed some Simple Green and worked it in with a nylon brush and that didn't help. I then bought Meguiars Hot Rims all wheel cleaner and that didn't work either.

I was wondering what are some more aggressive products I could use without damaging the rims. I have heard of Poorboys Spray and Rinse Cleaner to be pretty aggressive (pH = 4).

What do you professional detailers use to get baked on dust off rims? Also, does anyone know if the G35 has clearcoat on the rims. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I would try the Spray and Rinse ..let it sit a few minutes, aggitate with a soft brush or even 000 steel wool and then rinse off thoughly ..again as said above, I'd also wear gloves and goggles;)
 
jaybs02 said:
I know what you are talking about with the G35 brake dust and I had got really good results with EO A2Z.

Depending on how bad it is it may have etched the rims

Good luck

"J"
Click to expand...

JAY

You are thinking what I am if the clear is etched there in nothing much other than a chemical that will dissolve the particles in the etched holes...if it was on the surface the clay would have done some good...that leads me to think that it below surface...years back I did a 5 series BMW with real baked on particles...the ones on the surface I got off with clay and a plastic scraper and Tarmanator...the stuff that was below the surface I was able to soften up some and they came out, however there was some areas that would not come off no matter what I did...and really my concern in using anything to aggressive like the hydrofluoric acid was etching or dulling the clear even more.
 
Clean Dean said:
You may have to break out the hydrofloric acid. If you do be very careful. Googles, heavy rubber gloves and avoid the fumes. DO NOT let this stuff set on the wheels especially in the sun.

I recently removed some very heavy baked on brake dust from a 40k mile BMW X5 and removed about 95% of the dust using this nasty and dangerous material.
Click to expand...

I would consult a local detailer that can look at the severity of your brake dust problem first. I use this acid at times as well and it is not something you want to use unless your wheels aren't correctable any other way. Most of the damaged wheels you see out there are due to the improper use of this acid. I hate using this stuff because of how bad it is for your health. It attacks your bones and has been known to kill in certain situations.

Poorboy said:
I would try the Spray and Rinse ..let it sit a few minutes, aggitate with a soft brush or even 000 steel wool and then rinse off thoughly ..again as said above, I'd also wear gloves and goggles;)
Click to expand...

I agree with Poorboy. This is about as aggressive as you should get. If this doesn't work I would have a respectable pro detailer take care of them.
 
Us PRO detailers can really be a resource for you. I will take simple jobs like cleaning wheels, and I can usually HF or detail a wheel for $10-$30.
Once done, wash your wheels everytime you wash--usually most brake dust can come off with soapy water on a weekly basis. I'd also suggest a wheel wax like PB's Wheel Sealant. I've heard Max Wax is good. I also use Michelin's Spray on Brake Dust Repellent, but it isn't very long lasting.
 
Thanks for your replies. I will try to spray n rinse. Here are some pics of the rim.

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It looks like what ever you were using was having some effect as you can see some trails of the brake dust moving away from the mass of it. I have had cars with similar issues. The first route I went with a heavy acid based cleaner, and believe me like everyone here says, be very cautious, I accidently breathed some in and my throat burned the entire day, luckily it was not that much.

The second time I also used Spray and rinse and some 0000 Steel Wool, it got rid of all of the brake dust including any that was stil residing in any pit marks. Once I got it off I used my PC with a smaller backing plate and pad and polished it, followed that up with some wheel wax.
 
Spray and Rinse is wicked strong stuff. It works like a champ at full strength. I dilute it 1:1 for normal use though.
 
Thanks for your replies. The wheels were like that when I bought the car. I don't know what the previous owner was using, but the cleaners I was using didn't do anything. I guess I will try the Spray and Rinse and see how it goes.
 
Spray and Rinse, leave it on for at least 5 minutes. Re apply afterwards and let sit for another 10 minutes and that should help a lot.

Funny thing. I detailed my friends ride the other day and his wheels were pretty bad. The brake dust had rusted so his wheels were grey and rust! :) I used Orange Blast wheel cleaner and applied as stated above and the wheels looked like new. I didn't think it would have made a difference but it did. That product cost me $5 on sale OTS... Although I prefer the PB, it did a good job! I use those OTS products for freebies! :)

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, after you get the wheels back to your liking, seal them with PB wheel sealant, a few coats of that will do majic to keep the wheel looking like new!
 
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