Cleaning wheels with heavy brake dust
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Cleaning wheels with heavy brake dust
Wanted some advice from some of the pros here on how I can clean up these wheels.
I bought a cheap set of 16" RSX wheels off a guy on Craigslist. They're going to be used for winter tires so I'm not hugely concerned about how they look but I wanted to try clean these up as much as I could.
Below is the result after I tried cleaning it today. I used some wheel cleaner from our local Canadian Tire (which smells a lot like Simple Green actually) and gave it a good scrub with a wheel brush with some Megs car wash soap. As you can see, it's still pretty bad. It almost feels like the dust is etched into the wheel.
Anyways, I'm looking for any product suggestions that could clean up say 75% of the stains on the wheel. I'm guessing something that's mildly acidic might be required? Below is a picture I just took of it this evening. Any recommendations?
I bought a cheap set of 16" RSX wheels off a guy on Craigslist. They're going to be used for winter tires so I'm not hugely concerned about how they look but I wanted to try clean these up as much as I could.
Below is the result after I tried cleaning it today. I used some wheel cleaner from our local Canadian Tire (which smells a lot like Simple Green actually) and gave it a good scrub with a wheel brush with some Megs car wash soap. As you can see, it's still pretty bad. It almost feels like the dust is etched into the wheel.
Anyways, I'm looking for any product suggestions that could clean up say 75% of the stains on the wheel. I'm guessing something that's mildly acidic might be required? Below is a picture I just took of it this evening. Any recommendations?
![](http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/1694/img0876jb.jpg)
#4
Instructor
Thread Starter
Does anyone know if the affected area is painted or if it's just bare metal? If it's painted, would using a metal polish be effective?
#5
I am not sure if it is a good idea...but is a pressure washing a good idea? It works wonders on houses and my driveway, but I am not sure if it will damage or affect the structure of the wheel
#6
The Old Grey Whistle Test
I appreciate you don’t want to spend a lot of time/money on winter wheels. So I won' t post a 75 step wheel cleaning guide
Try P21S Polishing Soap if its road tar, dirt / grime or CarPro Iron X if its brake dust contamination
![Smile](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Try P21S Polishing Soap if its road tar, dirt / grime or CarPro Iron X if its brake dust contamination
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#8
Suzuka Master
Usually the wheels at the back like that are painted but after a while the brake dust just eats it away.
You could do the steel wool to clean it up a bit but its not going to do a lot .. also you could got to CT and get a can of clear coat and reclear it sfter your done just to keep it fron getting worse.
Other option is CT carries silver wheel paint. Steel wool it and repaint the backs only.
You could do the steel wool to clean it up a bit but its not going to do a lot .. also you could got to CT and get a can of clear coat and reclear it sfter your done just to keep it fron getting worse.
Other option is CT carries silver wheel paint. Steel wool it and repaint the backs only.
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
![Big Grin](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Thanks everyone else for the suggestions. Looks like I have a few weekends in the spring already planned out for me.
Would a mildly acidic wheel cleaner at least clean these up a little bit to save me a bit of elbow grease?
#10
The Old Grey Whistle Test
#11
Your Friendly Canadian
Join Date: Dec 2007
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Just to summarize all the posts so far:
You are screwed.
You are screwed.
#12
Instructor
Thread Starter
haha, well, I wouldn't say I'm screwed...just need a bit of elbow grease come Spring. I ended up paying $150 for the set so it's a better deal than some steelies. I'll just need to take some time to do some work on them when I take them off at the end of winter.
#13
Suzuka Master
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