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chuckbern

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Hello, everybody!

I'm having a problem removing baked-on brake dust from my wheels (Klasse AIOx2 and HGx2). I wash once a week w/Mequier's shampoo, but even using NF Power Washer doesn't seem to help. Besides I'm afraid using it too often, since somebody on this forum mentioned that it will remove Klasse.

Please, help!

(2001 BMW 330i Topaz Blue/SP)
 
There are a couple of possibilities that immediately spring to mind.



1) You Klassed over the baked on brake dust? I doubt it, but it's possible.



2) Brake dust is EXTREMELY hot when it comes off of the brake components. It cools somewhat in the air but it is still hot when it hits your wheels! It will melt straight through any sealant/carnauba if it is in a big enough piece to stay hot when it hits.



Short version...Squirt some EF-HI or comparable on there to strip the Klasse and remove all brake dust and put Klasse back on. Fun, huh?
 
BMW brake dust SUCKS. I find that if I wash at least once a week, I can keep up with it just fine. I zaino my wheels, and brake dust comes off very easily with car wash and a sponge. A lot of guys have KLASSE on their wheels and have similar results.



I know the "M" type wheels can be a bear to clean. If I were you I would try starting over perhaps. Use something strong and get them REALLY clean. Apply your KLASSE, and then try to wash the dust off at least once week using car wash and a sponge or old wash mitt. For those wheels, a brush might do the trick better.



I wouldn't use a power washer any more. What kind of meguires shampoo are you using? Some formulations that were meant to be used with carnuba are actually very mild shampoo's. Manufacturers do this on purpose so that you don't wash off your oils and wax as quickly. Detergents designed to use with polymer systems tend to be stronger and REALLY get the car clean, as the synthetics are detergent resistant.



<img src=http://www.fototime.com/BAC35379124FC4F/standard.jpg>
 
Beautiful picture, I'm jealous! One thing though, what's that sticking up from the base of your windshield over the wipers?
 
I feel your pain! The "M" sport package wheels are a royal PITA. I put a coat of zaino z2 on there (with the z1) and they have been relatively easy to clean with just car wash soap (z7). In fact, I never have to use any cleaner. But, even with my OXO wheel brush, it is still a major pain to get in between the spokes and clean past the "face" of the rim (towards the back). I usually get everything real soapy and then wipe the grime with my fingers to loosen/agitate it. It then rinses off.



So, I dont have a good solution...but, put a good sealant on. It does help but the design of these wheels make it impossible to clean easily.
 
you are correct, it is really difficult to get wheels clean. Klasse works great but it could be better. Using a stronger cleaner is good, but then you have to reKlasse every time.



I have found that after you Klasse or clean a wheel, dry it, and spray a layer of Rain-X wheel protectant, it creates a dry film the prevents brake dust from sticking to a Klassed surface. When you wash you wheels (up to 3 weeks later) you just use regular car wash and a hand sponge and the Rain-X and imbedded brake dust wash right off. Then you dry the wheel again, spray another layer (let dry overnight) and the process continues.



The stuff may be discontinued however, but you may still be able to find in over the coutner in your Walmart, Kmart, or local hardware store type places.



No other company has come up with such a product, except Sonus may work for this too. But no one has come up with a product specifically claiming they prevent dust adhesion like this Rain-X stuff.
 
Thank you all for the input!

A few corrections first: I use Mequiar's Gold Class or EF Power Wash for washing and EF High-Intensity Cleaner for cleaning.

Now my question is: will AIO remove this baked-on brake dust or not?
 
I don't know if AIO will remove baked-on brake dust but I will recommend clay! Clay the wheels and see if that removes all of the dust. My suspicion is it will remove the majority of it, but we'll see.



Time to go get some jack stands! Take the wheels off and do all of this -- it's much easier that way. While you're at it, wash your wheelwells and use KAIO and KSG on the plastic (yes, they work on black plastic IMHO) for a long lasting solution. You can also use 303 here if you want but it won't last anywhere near as long.



DK: LOL!
 
AIO with a good microfiber towel will remove most if not all of the brake dust. The really baked on stuff you may need to use a soft brush or I found a good polish will sometimes work. Once clean reapply a couple of coats of SG to help prevent more brake dust baking into your wheels. The next time you wash, the brake dust will wipe away easily or sometimes just rinse away.
 
A tip from our resident expert (Brad B.) which works very well is to shoot some non-chlorinated brake parts cleaner on the spots where the dust is caked on. It really does help to loosen, even moreso than abrasives or clay. On my Integra, there are spots with baked in brake dust from lapping days. Clay did nothing for me (Mother's with Meguiars QD), and 3M FI-II took lots of elbow grease and barely removed any! Next I tried brake cleaner which worked the best by far but still didnt remove everything.



Keep in mind that you need to re-seal/wax the wheel after using brake cleaner and dont let it dwell for too long (dont need more than 10 seconds or so I don't think).
 
oh yeah, I forgot to add that PPCL worked wonders on getting rid of most of my break dust on the inside of the wheel (when I took them off)
 
To DAC17- That was my next question exactly, I mean another brand of brake pads. Can somebody share an experience w/any- I've personally read about these Green pads. Appreciate your response.
 
My experience with the EBC green brake pads is that they :down , except this is on my Integra, not BMW. Also, I was using them for street and autocross. Since I am very hard on the brakes, I did not have trouble getting these pads to fade.



I have heard good things about Pagid pads. My philosophy is that if it aint broke, dont fix it. The BMW pads work pretty good...I'll just deal with having to clean the wheels more often.
 
EF-Hi-Intensity Cleaner



This stuff is amazing. Took off years of brake dust off my wife's 93 Integra. Spray on, agitate with a soft bristle brush. Brake dust...bye-bye :D
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by Yell00ITR [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>My experience with the EBC green brake pads is that they :down , except this is on my Integra, not BMW. Also, I was using them for street and autocross. Since I am very hard on the brakes, I did not have trouble getting these pads to fade.

I have heard good things about Pagid pads. My philosophy is that if it aint broke, dont fix it. The BMW pads work pretty good...I'll just deal with having to clean the wheels more often. [/b]</blockquote>I was not exactly sure what "down" means regarding EBC Green pads, could you elaborate?
 
EF High Intensity Cleaner didn't do the trick with baked-on particles, neither any of the other wheel cleaners, nor the AIO.

Had to re-Klasse all over again. I will probably leave it for now, next attempt should be 3M Swirl remover or some other mild abrasive. Too cold now to spend much time cleaning.

Regards.
 
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