faithless

I'm trying to get off this super hard baked on brake dust. See attachment. My Dad told me to get some etching wheel cleaner, but I didnt see it at Checker auto. I asked the employee and he said to use brake cleaner. Sprayed that on, didnt do anything... Then I got out a can of gel paint strippe (this stuff is really good, bubbles paint right off). That still didnt work, although it did something to the surface of the grime because water beaded off of it like a waxed car, but it was still there.

What should I do? Is that stuff actually BAKED on brake dust, or is it grease or something else?

Thx

GlenL

Get some spray aluminum wheel cleaner. Scrub with Scotchbrite pads or coarse steel wool. May take several attempts, but it'll come.

Porsche-O-Phile

OMG for a second I thought this thread was "how can I get off or baked on this brake dust?" Never mind. As you were. . .

Mighty Shilling

Also, try P21S wheel cleaner gel. it's non-acidic, so you can leave it on there for 3 hours with no damage done. then scrub with a sponge, or a wheel brush. that'll get it right off.

it is brake dust, and it's not been touched for a while...


also, please note, you can't get P21S at a checker... check out www.detailersparadise.com no affiliation... you can also get it at any major detailing store.

Serge944

You can also use sandpaper. I use 2000 grit to clean the lips on my wheels when they get nasty. You can use a slightly lower grit since it's so baked on.

shmucklebuckle

Major detailing store?? Where the hell are those?! I'm in Orange County, SoCal, and have never noticed something of that sort. I guess I'm just not looking for it? I use S100 detailing soap for washing the car, we have that at the motorcycle dealership I work at...but that's about it afaik.


Oh and GL with the wheel cleaning!

Mighty Shilling

Trevor, they're hard to find... there are 2 in Colorado, and only one of them carries what I use for my detailing business... too bad they're the more expensive one... Now, I just need a wholesale license... Then I can order factory direct!

faithless

I tried steel wool on it. 0 and 1 abrasiveness, it works but it takes A LOT of scrubbbing. I wanted something that would just take it right off.

I got some of this Eagle One stuff at Checker for all types of aluminum wheels. That stuff doesnt do anything AT ALL. I think its probably as effective as spraying it with water...

I like your idea Serge. I might try that next... If I had some laquer thinner Id try that stuff, its nastier than mineral spirits and that actually worked a bit.

KuHL 951

I use Easy Off oven cleaner. Any abrasive pad will do the same damage as a strong cleaner. The key is to get a smooth layer of new paint and wax after it's clean on the insides so it wipes off in the future. Wheel manufacturers always cheap out on the inner surfaces.

faithless

These rims arent painted. The inside is bare aluminum, and the face of the rim is polished.

adrial

Looks like a 9" wide clubsport?

Anyway I have the same problem with those wheels, brakedust just cakes itself on there if not cleaned regularly.

P21S Gel, blah blah blah nothing works.

Blue S2

Try the Meguiars Hot Rims cleaner, A LOT OF IT. Spray on and let it sit for a minute and a half. Then use a brush. Do this dry. Then wash it off and try again. Also, a claybar might help....but that might be TOO extreme for a claybar. Or until you get rid of a lot of it. The meguiars stuff worked for the inside of my wheels. And it wont eat away at the wheel.

Are you deciding to concours?? Or just want to see it super clean? I've personally cleaned what i could on the inside, but never let it bother me that much. Most shows don't even put that much emphasis on that.

TRWright

How about a 7" grinder with a cutoff wheel?

KuHL 951

If the inside wheel surfaces are bare aluminum as you say, this problem will just continue. The ferrous residues in the brake dust reacts with aluminum and causes micro-pitting on the wheel. Personally I would try some type of clear top coat or silver paint after you get it cleaned up. This will make future cleaning easier with just soapy water.

944S2IFISH2

I've used this P21S stuff for the insides of my D90's (painted though). It really leaves a smooth surface. A good coat of wax after makes it easier to keep clean.


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