Alloy Rim Care
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
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From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
Alloy Rim Care
Is there a cleaner ... or refinishing process that will take care of these two problems?
1) The standard 1999 wheels on my car have a haze of black pit marks that never come off with washing. The condition varies from wheel to wheel. It shows up mostly where the wheel flares out where the rubber of tire beads with rim.
Is brake dust is corrosive? I clean regularily. I inherited this condition from the previous owners.
2) I also have managed to scratch the spokes when brushing & scrubbing the brake dust out of the the inside of the rims.
1) The standard 1999 wheels on my car have a haze of black pit marks that never come off with washing. The condition varies from wheel to wheel. It shows up mostly where the wheel flares out where the rubber of tire beads with rim.
Is brake dust is corrosive? I clean regularily. I inherited this condition from the previous owners.
2) I also have managed to scratch the spokes when brushing & scrubbing the brake dust out of the the inside of the rims.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,465
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From: Palm Beach, FL
'03 Yukon XL Denali, '06 Eclipse GS
For the first question, I think that's tar from the road. It comes off easily with a Tar and Bug Remover by the brand No. 7. ...At least, in my case.
I'm doubt it's corrosive, but it's best to be kept off the wheels by wiping regulary. They are tiny pieces of shrapnel, basically, so that might've played a role in scratching your wheels.
Second, if they are light, fine scratches, you should be able to take them out using a mild abrasive metal polish such as Wendol or Autosol. Rub lightly, not heavily. For regular non-wash wheel care I use the California Duster to clean up the dirt and brake dust off the wheels.
Hope this helps.
I'm doubt it's corrosive, but it's best to be kept off the wheels by wiping regulary. They are tiny pieces of shrapnel, basically, so that might've played a role in scratching your wheels.
Second, if they are light, fine scratches, you should be able to take them out using a mild abrasive metal polish such as Wendol or Autosol. Rub lightly, not heavily. For regular non-wash wheel care I use the California Duster to clean up the dirt and brake dust off the wheels.
Hope this helps.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 880
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From: Ponte Vedra Beach FL/ Hampstead, London, England
'84 380 SL/ '02 XK8
I would agree with everything stated with the exception of "I'm doubt it's corrosive, but it's best to be kept off the wheels by wiping regulary. They are tiny pieces of shrapnel, basically, so that might've played a role in scratching your wheels."
Sequestered metal brake dust, if left for any length of time on the wheels causes galvanic corrosion, which etches the surface and eventually dulls the wheel’s appearance if not removed on a regular basis. To remove brake dust stains use a mildly abrasive cleaner (Iz™ einszett Metal Polish “Chrompflege”, P21S Multi-Surface Finish or Autosol)
JonM
Sequestered metal brake dust, if left for any length of time on the wheels causes galvanic corrosion, which etches the surface and eventually dulls the wheel’s appearance if not removed on a regular basis. To remove brake dust stains use a mildly abrasive cleaner (Iz™ einszett Metal Polish “Chrompflege”, P21S Multi-Surface Finish or Autosol)
JonM
