Lots of products out there to help clean brakedust from our rims, anyone found a product they really like?

 

Wheel Cleaners:
It is important to keep wheel surfaces clean, as well as improving the overall look of the vehicle leaving them dirty can have many adverse effects; the black powder coating on the surface of your wheel has four components; a static friction charge (caused by the pads contact with the rotors) that attracts dirt, road tar and other contaminants kicked up by both your vehicle and others. Friction heats the pads and callipers to extremely high temperatures, and causes tiny particles of hot metal to wear off and sent flying in different directions.


Many of these hot metal particles land on your rim and literally fuse themselves to the surface. Finally there is brake pad adhesive, modern brake pads are complex compounds of metals, synthetic materials and adhesives (the binder system) which is designed to wear away under friction like the rest of the pad. The adhesives used in brake pads can be very difficult to remove and they are also corrosive and will etch the wheel surface, the metal particles from the pads and rotors will become a conduit for rust compromising the paint surface of your wheel

Wheel cleaning is not that difficult, especially if you use the correct tools, they have to work safely but effectively. Wheel cleaners that contain acid are the most dangerous, there are wheel acids that are safe if used with care and the directions are followed precisely. Accidents and expensive wheel replacements can always be avoided if you do some research and are smart about your choices. Always check the products MSDS and its pH value before you use it. It is always preferable that you use a 100% acid-free product with a pH of 7.5 – 8.0

Cleaning Clear Coated Wheels:
•Ensure wheels and rotors are cool before applying cold water as this may cause them to warp. Hose off as much initial grime as you can. Rinse up into the wheel well to wash away road kill, mud and other debris.
•Use detailing clay to remove any imbedded contaminants
•Use a solvent based cleaner to remove any road tar
•Apply a solution of P21S Total Auto Wash to wheel-wells and tyres, and let soak in, agitate with a long-handled boars haired brush before rinsing
•Spray P21S Wheel Cleaner (Gel or Liquid) this cleaner is 100% acid-free and will not damage any type of wheel finish. (Gel for badly soiled and regular for normal soil) onto wheel rims and lat soak in (for badly soiled surfaces us P21S-Red (422)
•Before finally removing cleaner, agitate with a soft brush and then rinse off (See Wheel Brushes)
•Rinse wheel surface thoroughly with clean water (to avoid splashing paint surface rise by pouring a bucket of water over each wheel from the top down
•Remove any surface imperfections with a suitable clear coat polish (dependant upon extent of damage)
•Dry wheels with a towel, apply a polymer sealant (ZoopSeal) to the surface of the wheels, it will protect the finish from brake dust and the elements and also make them easier to keep clean.
•Wax has a low melting point and will not withstand the sustained temperature

 

There are lots of great wheel cleaners out there. For alloy or clear coated wheels I really like the Poorboy's World Spray and Rinse. This is a strong cleaner that can easily remove most contaminates with regular cleanings. If you have painted or anodized wheels I like the P21S Wheel Gel. This formula is totally safe on all wheel finishes and also works very well. If you want to make future cleanings easier you may also want to consider protecting the wheels with the Poorboy's World Wheel Sealant.

Greg @ Detailed Image

 

1) Your favorite car wash soap will remove most brake dust
2) If it's stubborn in CERTAIN spots clay it (brand doesn't matter)
3) If it's still not coming off then and ONLY then try Meg's Wheel Brightener and a VERY diluted strength.

*sigh* I'm sick of all these product pushers only recommending products they sell. Try www.autogeek.net for an unbiased array of products and information. And no I have no interest in you shopping/not shopping at autogeek.net

 

The original post in this thread asked for specific products. Togwt & Greg obliged. Now, Greg from Detailed Image is a sponsor and doesn't seem to be trying to hide his commercial interest here. I could be wrong, but I don't think Togwt sells any products. From his many posts on many forums, I think he has some strong favorite products for specific needs.

While many products are equally good, there are some bad ones and some that do an exceptional job at a specific task.

I use my Meg's Gold car wash soap on my clear coated wheels. I start by quickly removing most of the dust from the outside surface with a Griot's boars hair brush still dripping from a dip in the bucket. This sends a lot of the dust to the ground instead of it finding its way back to the bucket. Then I use a MF towel to clean the rest of the wheel finishing with the outside as there's stuff that the brush missed and rinse. A plastic stick helps move the towel through tight spaces.

Beyond that, treat it like paint. As layed out above you can use a solvent, clay, polish and seal them.

Feeling down? Try Damitol (TM) tablets.

 

I guess you don't own your own business then. I actually use two of the products that were recommended (P21S Wheel Gel and PB Wheel Sealant) and they both work wonders with the amount of brake dust that our cars produce. I have yet to use anything easier! Keep in mind, that Detailed Image IS a sponser and they are here to give us members informative information whether we buy products from them or not. And TOGWT is a weekend detailer like the rest of us.

 

My best advise; research other options and products, test them and then make an objective decision based upon factual information not hype or brand loyalty. After all, how can you fully understand and properly use any product unless you have all the facts? I would also strongly suggest that you verify any information that I or anyone else shares with you.

I am neither a vendor, nor a salesperson pretending to be an educator, I'm a detailer / author, and therefore there is no reason for me to hype products to gain market share; just to provide a factual and honest source of information

 

I try to put 3 coats of protectant (Wheel Wax, Menzerna, etc.) on my wheels and grill work before winter. I try to use only a light mixture of car wash when I wash so as not to remove any protectant. If I have to use a car wash I only use the soap quickly and at a little distance, again not to remove the protection.