I have what I assume is really bad brake grime on 1 or 2 of my rims. I have tried the conventional chrome cleaner spray which does not take this stuff off...it really is grimy. What is a safe way to remove this? I would assume I would need something to actually rub it off with....without scratching the rim. Any suggestions?
Really bad brake grime on chrome rims?
- Thread starter mjr24
- Start date
White95Max
New member
I think most people are too lazy when it comes to wheel cleaners. If you have bad brake dust accumulation, you can't expect to spray on, spray off, and watch a miracle happen. With a little agitation, most wheel cleaners can tackle some pretty disgusting wheels.
Example, P21s wheel cleaner liquid, applied with a firm sponge. Spent about 5 minutes per wheel.
When you get your wheels very clean, be sure to apply a sealant to them, so that you'll never have trouble cleaning them again. Dirt and brake dust will wipe right off with no effort, with ordinary car soap. This is 3 months worth of brake dust, gone in a quick wash with car soap and water.
And since someone always asks...
No, the wheel spokes were not contacting the ground, due to the built-in rim protector on the Kumho Ecsta SPTs.
Example, P21s wheel cleaner liquid, applied with a firm sponge. Spent about 5 minutes per wheel.
When you get your wheels very clean, be sure to apply a sealant to them, so that you'll never have trouble cleaning them again. Dirt and brake dust will wipe right off with no effort, with ordinary car soap. This is 3 months worth of brake dust, gone in a quick wash with car soap and water.
And since someone always asks...
No, the wheel spokes were not contacting the ground, due to the built-in rim protector on the Kumho Ecsta SPTs.
DrSauekraut
CIXELSYD
Have you tried using an APC, chemical cleanser, or clay? I agree with Paul . . . neglected wheels require a bit of effort, especially if heavy deposits of dirt and debris have permeated the clear.
mjr24 said:
I have chrome wheels on my 'M, and they get filthy, too. Even in normal driving. "Dustless pads" may help, but I understand those pads still dust, but that the dust is a lot less visible. Friction causes debris. We need to remove the debris.
Don't discount a good APC. The fumes from most tire cleaners really irritates my sinuses, but I've found Greased Lightening's "Orange Blast" All Purpose Cleaner works well (they also have a wheel and tire cleaner, but it's as irritating as other wheel cleaners).
It's not spray on-hose off, though. I really don't think anything is. If a sponge or wash mit isn't doing anything for you, I highly recommend you get a Black and Decker "Scum Buster." It has several attachments that make quick work of things.
For really tight nooks and crannies, a cotton swab soaked in brake cleaner helps. Brake cleaner helps break down the binder that's holding the abrasive to your chrome. Others reading this - don't try brake cleaner on plastic hub caps, but the cleaning proceedures above should work.
Follow up with a wipe of "Boms Away" metal polish, and treat with Collinite IW as a sealant.
Note: Collinite makes a metal polish that, AFAIK, is IW with an abbrasive in it. I like "Boms Away" better as a metal polish - it's really does work as a wipe-on/wipe-off product and is not abbrasive. I've ruined chrome with "metal polish." Chrome on wheels may be tougher than most, but Chrome in general is relatively soft. It's usually the nickle plate underneath that gives it it's strength, and if a company is cheap and eliminates the nickle (and/or the copper that's supposed to be underneath the nickle), then abrasives are to be avoided, IMHO. After the Boms Away, you won't need the abrasive in Collinite's metal polish, so IW provides adequate protection.
IW is tough to get off rubber, though, so be carefull and avoid your tires. :2thumbs:
Hope this helps,
White95Max
New member
mjr24 said:
Not SE, but central. I'm in Stevens Point.
White95Max
New member
mjr24 said:
I hear ya, buddy.