Michelin Brake Dust Repellant?

Accumulator

Well-known member
The SEARCH function is giving me fits...could somebody please school me on this product? I gather it's off the market, but I have access to a case or so of it. Can't remember the exact price, but it's maybe $3-$4/can.



Does it work?

Any downsides?

Does it have to be applied to a "bare" wheel or can it go over a LSP?

How do you keep from getting misty overspray everywhere (yeah, "shield the tire" and all the other obvious stuff has already occurred to me ;) ). Can you wipe it on?

Worth paying a few bucks per can for it?



Sheesh, the last thing I need is to stockpile more of anything around here, and brakedust isn't a big issue for me to begin with, but I thought I'd ask anyhow.
 
Sorry I can't comment on that product, but I recently started using ArmorAll Wheel Protectant, and it's the real deal. I'm very surprised how well it works.
 
Eh...I'm not gonna put much more effort into this, especially since it's sorta a solution in search of a problem in my case. I somehow thought it was something special that was no longer available. Maybe I oughta go back to not thinking about it at all ;)
 
I used it. When you spray it on and it effervesces like club soda. Whateve over spray occurs, you can just wipe off.



It works great-until it gets wet, then it turns the dust into cement.



I haven't seen it for sale in years.



BD
 
I use it regularly and have several cans left. My answers below.



Accumulator said:
The SEARCH

Does it work?

It definitely works for me. No matter how much dust is on the wheel it comes off with just car shampoo and soft brush. I *perceive* that the dust build up is less than when I don't use it.

Any downsides?

None that I've come across.

Does it have to be applied to a "bare" wheel or can it go over a LSP?

Not sure. I've used it over wheels that have had spray wax applied before without any issues.

How do you keep from getting misty overspray everywhere (yeah, "shield the tire" and all the other obvious stuff has already occurred to me ;) ). Can you wipe it on?

That's one of the amazing features of this spray...you don't have to shield anything. It just wipes of without leaving any *visible* film-build. It's like it's not there as it's water-based and *seems* to leave nothing behind.

Worth paying a few bucks per can for it?

Definitely, in my books. It takes less than 10 secs to apply, and 30 secs to wipe off. No overspray issues, no clouding, water-based, made by French boffins in berets munching on bread-sticks...what else does one want?
 
BostonDuce & Alfisti- Thanks for the replies...hm....one vote says "no problems" and another says "wet brakedust dries like concrete"..:think:



I don't think it'd be just a few seconds' work though...going inside the A8's lug barrels (and the one for the valvestem) takes a bit of time, even with various swabs. No such problems on some of the vehicles though...guess I'll keep thinking about it.



And yeah, though I never really thought of myself as a Francophile, from tools, to wine, to the Beaucerons, I *do* seem to find a lot of good stuff coming outta France!
 
All I can say is that I've been using it for two years and have not come across any issues. Maybe BostonDuce uses concrete brake pads. :laugh:



As for how long it takes to remove...think of it as wiping off a slightly damp surface of water. Not dripping, just damp. And not a sealant or a wax but simply water. Because once the effervescence stops it looks and behaves like water. It only requires a light spray, not one that covers the whole surface but just lightly mists it. Then wipe and dry. Complex wheels may take longer but most can be wiped dry in 30-60 secs tops.



This *is* a unique product. One worth trying just for the experience. Different to the Sonax, Armor All, AG, etc, spray sealants. This isn't a spray sealant - it's spray on soda water!! :dance
 
Alfisti-Heh heh, aww man...you make it hard to resist! I guess I'll pick up a can next time I'm near that store, which, fortunately for my checkbook, might not be anytime soon ;)
 
Accumulator, I have the three product in my basement..those are



  • Michelin Brake Dust Repellant
  • Eagle One Keep Clean Wheels
  • Armorall product (name??)





I have used all and was quite disappointed when the Michelin product became unavailable. It does work, but I believe I am at the point where I've had enough time with the new Armorall product to declare it superior. The Michelin product leaves a slightly dulling film (not objectionable) and the Armorall leaves a glossy finish. I haven't been much of a fan of the E1 product and haven't spent much time with it. Its performance was inline with the Michelin product. The Armorall stuff is touted as lasting "weeks".



The Michelin product at the $3 price point sounds like a deal. The small cans of Armorall are $6 or $7 each.



A bunch of people have commented on the Armorall product on the Audi website. The opinions are fairly unanimous: It's a keeper (when applied heavily).



I'll post a picture, for your benefit, of a wheel on our car this evening so you can see what it looks like after 750 miles of driving.



HTH
 
Tom P.- Ah, interesting (and *your* wheel-related opinions go a long way with me). Wonder how the pic will impress me :think:



Any dulling would probably be undesirable on some of my wheels, but no biggie on others. Thanks for that heads-up, just figures that some of the intended applications would be problematic.



If the Michelin stuff is as cheap as I recall, that'd be worth trying. Not too interested in paying double that for any such stuff though, well...unless it's some kind of miracle worker. Once a vehicle gets rained on I'll be washing it anyhow, and the wheels are never a big deal then.
 
Yeah, that's the question I can't answer: what happens after it rains? Some suggest you're still good to go. I've got to see that for myself.



I think the Armorall promo video claims it can last up to a month.
 
Bill-SD said:
Sorry I can't comment on that product, but I recently started using ArmorAll Wheel Protectant, and it's the real deal. I'm very surprised how well it works.



Just don't get it on your brake pads, it's silicone.
 
Question.



Is the Armor all product ok for chrome rims?



So if it's applied by spraying the wheels. how do you avoid getting it on the brake rotors/pads?
 
how lazy could one old man be?:dance Why not just rewash the wheel when its dirty, Plus I doubt that stuff is Accumulator proof anyways!:laugh: OK all jokes asaide it does sound nice if it works, but why not just use 845? I love it on wheels.
 
GatorJ said:
Just don't get it on your brake pads, it's silicone.



Silicone? Do you have the documentation on that? One of the guys on the other forum was trying to convince people it was Teflon.
 
Here are a couple of shots. The stuff was applied 6 days ago. Car has traveled 750 miles, there has been no rain, wheels would typically be black at this point.



3518o.jpg




Brake dust is just starting to accumulate (;)) on the edge of the wheel:



3519k.jpg
 
Something else to throw into the mix is that the other sprays do four wheels only a couple times in some cases (Sonax). The Michelin can last 10-15 applications. It requires just a light mist.
 
tom p. said:
Here are a couple of shots. The stuff was applied 6 days ago. Car has traveled 750 miles, there has been no rain, wheels would typically be black at this point.



3518o.jpg




Brake dust is just starting to accumulate (;)) on the edge of the wheel:



3519k.jpg



What was applied to these wheels? Looks very effective.
 
Back
Top