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Just wondering what you guys use to clean your brake calipers..? I usually just wipe them down with a microfiber cloth to dry the water spots on them after a full car wash, other than that I find it kind of difficult to wash them with a mitt even with stock 18" wheels on the car.. Any suggestions would be great, thanks.
W204 C63 Coupe, W166 ML350 BlueTEC, 928GT, C5 Z06 & IS300 race cars, EQE 4Matic+ on order
This is what I use on mine to get in the tight spots (around the bleed nipples for example), with just normal car shampoo:
I don't think I'd go near the heavy-duty brake cleaners unless absolutely necessary. A soft wash mitt (that you only use tfor the wheels and calipers) is all it takes.
This probably goes without saying, but always make sure your wheels/brake assemblies are cool before attempting to clean them because the combination of cold or high pressure water and hot brake assemblies can damage the clear coat on the calipers.
I use normal car wash and a wheel woolie although ideally I'd like to whip the wheels off each time to give them a proper clean, my ocd does bug me like that
W204 C63 Coupe, W166 ML350 BlueTEC, 928GT, C5 Z06 & IS300 race cars, EQE 4Matic+ on order
Originally Posted by Cohen63
This probably goes without saying, but always make sure your wheels/brake assemblies are cool before attempting to clean them because the combination of cold or high pressure water and hot brake assemblies can damage the clear coat on the calipers.
I use normal car wash and a wheel woolie although ideally I'd like to whip the wheels off each time to give them a proper clean, my ocd does bug me like that
Excellent point - and I think it's one of the first ones that average folk that take their cars in to be washed forget about. I can't vouch for the clear coat on the calipers (the P31 red ones don't appear to be clear coated at all), but - spraying cold water on a hot stationary brake rotor and especially when a portion of said rotor is kept hot under the pad/caliper results in uneven cooling and can even lead to warping.
The Dealer now does all the washing. They use a pressure washer on low setting. Just rinsing seems to shed all the dust and dirt.
When I washed it I just used the hose, which has pretty good pressure.
Brake dust etc comes off it and the wheels with little effort. I used a micro fibre, and had to move the car a few times when the rims didn't want to come clean.
I don't drive it in the rain, except when I unexpectedly get caught in it.
water and dirt off the road is like glue.
This is what I use on mine to get in the tight spots (around the bleed nipples for example), with just normal car shampoo:
I don't think I'd go near the heavy-duty brake cleaners unless absolutely necessary. A soft wash mitt (that you only use tfor the wheels and calipers) is all it takes.
I use that or a soft haired paint brush, I always feel like I'm some sort of car archaeologists when I'm doing my calipers lol.
I use that or a soft haired paint brush, I always feel like I'm some sort of car archaeologists when I'm doing my calipers lol.
+1
I actually also prefer a small towel (pinching and finger shaping) to clean the wheels... brushes sound great, but I find I need to go back to detail anyway.
08-13-2015, 03:24 AM
