|
Hi, i'm looking for suggestions for cleaning the brown brake dust deposits from painted alloy wheels. The wheels were powder coated black by a previous owner.
I have tried various DIY solutions with just about every household cleaning product with no success. I can't go in too heavy handed as i don't want to strip off the paint so any suggestions would be gratefully recieved.
Thanks in advance.
|
|
You really need a proper wheel cleaner, I like autoglym products but there are many other brands available! If there really bad you may need a couple of applications, obviously don't use anything abrasive, good stiff wheel brush is the tool of choice.
|
|
I accept that Autoglym make good stuff, but there is nothing special about 'wheel cleaners' as such. It's a question of choosing the best way to remove dirt A from surface B. As A is fine rust powder stuck to B which is a powder coat, I would try something soapy and aqueous, with an old toothbrush or something else with stiff bristles which can get into crevices.
If you are happy that your powder coating is tough enough, you could try something more vigorous.
|
|
i'd suggest that once you get them clean to your satisfaction, give them a polish and wax. The dirt will be less inclined to stick.
|
i'd suggest that once you get them clean to your satisfaction, give them a polish and wax. The dirt will be less inclined to stick.
I would think fine rust-dust would stick quite nicely to anything waxy. Wax may well be water-repellent, but that dust is usually dry ! I can't think of any surface which would repel that dust, tho some will be better than others.
|
i'd suggest that once you get them clean to your satisfaction, give them a polish and wax. The dirt will be less inclined to stick.
I would think fine rust-dust would stick quite nicely to anything waxy. Wax may well be water-repellent, but that dust is usually dry ! I can't think of any surface which would repel that dust, tho some will be better than others.
You would be surprised Andrew, I wax my wheels, there not at all "waxy" as it cures, brake dust washes off a treat.
Oh and your suggestion of using something soapy simply won't work unless there waxed.
|
|
Bilt Hamber Autowheel is the well known one, but there are several much cheaper substitutes that do exactly the same job, i currently use Pro Kleen Dragons Blood. PH neutral fall out removers, which you apply by spray or by brush of you prefer and once it turns purple (some agitation helps if heavily ingrained) rinse off, like all cleaners try not to let it dry on.
You don't need to do this every time, once you have them clean regular cleaning with normal car shampoo or snowfoam when you wash the car should, unless you are heavy on the brakes, keep the dirt under control.
|
|
Another vote for BH Auto-Wheel. Outstanding stuff, just dissolves the brown brake dirt straight off into a purple goo which washes off clean afterwards. Can agitate with a pastry type brush for really stubborn areas. Once clean, give the wheels a wax so that the dust sticks to that in future and not the paint.
|
|
|
|
|
<< You would be surprised Andrew, I wax my wheels, there not at all "waxy" as it cures, brake dust washes off a treat. >>
Ah, not so much a wax as a resin, then ?
|
|
You need to use a stiff brush
|
|
Paint them brown?
What happens if you pass a magnet over them? If compjetely rusted the particles wont be magnetic, but they might retain a tiny magnetic core.
Cant really remember noticing this much, though I probably wouldn't have cared if I did. Perhaps I didn't brake enough.
Maybe you could brake less too.More engine braking?
|
|
Thanks for all your replies, I like the advice to "brake less" and "paint them brown" that's lateral thinking !!
I will look into the Bilt Hamber Autowheel cleaner and using polish once clean. Thanks.
Edited by Topdude on 02/06/2025 at 07:52
|
|
OK, here is an update for the benefit of anyone reading this in the future.
I can confirm Bilt Hamber Autowheel cleaner is the stuff i needed. Absolutely does what it says on the tin, it took three applications and some agitation with a stiff brush and the painted wheels are spotless.
I have also applied car polish to hopefully make it easier to keep them clean.
Thanks for the advice.
|
I have also applied car polish to hopefully make it easier to keep them clean.
You really need to wax them. Polish is an abrasive, wax is a coating.
|
I have also applied car polish to hopefully make it easier to keep them clean.
You really need to wax them. Polish is an abrasive, wax is a coating.
Or polish and wax...
Just for info, most polishs have very little cutting ability, there mostly fillers, to truly cut paint ( remove a layer) you need a cutting compound.
|
|
Auto-wheel is like the gateway product to the rest of the range of Bilt Hambers no-nonsense top-quality gear. I currently find myself addicted to a number of the following:
- Touch-less/Touch-on for foam gun fun
- Auto-Wash shampoo
- Auto-Clay
- Cleanser fluid cleans old wax off paint like nothing else, superb at cleaning bbq’s too.
- Cleanser polish sorts out swirls
- Auto-Balm for paint protection
- Auto-QD for the in-between clean.
Perfect for some quiet time outside alone whilst the kids drive their mum up the wall inside. Of course, no detailing post would be complete without an obligatory picture of the model herself Afternoon well spent.jpg Did you happen to take any before/after pics of your wheels to show the good folks here your achievement :-)
|
|
Very nice Mord ! I find giving the car a good clean very therapeutic.
|
|
|
