Brake dust cleaner recommendations?

[Walt]

I've used Ps21, Eagle, Griots, Zainos, Simple Green and WD40, among others.

My biggest problem is track dust on raw aluminum, but I've never really been happy with anything (at least when I've let it go for more than a couple of days, or gotten rained on), even on painted wheels.

Am I just too lazy, or is there a miracle cleaner I don't know about?

I know I should be waxing the wheels more, too.

Walt

[smackmybutter535i]

Well walt, I used to professionally detail cars. We used to have this rim acid, we would spray it on leave it on for only a couple of minuites or it would eat up the rims, then spray it off. But of course there is no miracle cleaner. That acid stuff used to get it pretty clean, but not clean enough for a good tip, so it is inevitable, some good industrial all purpose cleaner, a little bit of soap and water and some elbow grease is all that will get those rims spotless. Lazy people never have clean rims.

[Mike in Louisville]

The easiest way for me to clean my wheels is to clean them regularly, like once a week. Wheel cleaners have never gotten my wheels very clean. What I usually do is just spray them off with some water and then clean them with a rag. If it's been awhile since I've cleaned them, I might use some wheel cleaner to get most of the dust off, but regular use of soapy water and a rag is all I really need. These are painted wheels by the way, and I have metal e32 pads up front with "dustless" (not really) e34s in the back.

[shifty]

You people just need to get some POS wheels that look just as crappy dirty as they do clean!

Fugly wheel pic follows.

BA-BLAM, bitches!!

[Shawn D.]

Walt,

I use Espree Wheel Magic (the green stuff). It works extremely well on brake dust and grease and doesn't damage metals or paint (it seems to not harm wax either). I also use it to clean under the hood.

-Shawn

[Walt]

Thanks to everyone (except Shifty). Not considering fugly wheels, unless I had a fugly car.

I'll get some of the Espree and vow to be a better, more diligent, less complacent steward of the wheels.

Once a week minimum cleaning and regular waxing.

Mea culpa,
Walt

[Dave_in_VA]

Hey, I have a set of those on my car..

But I have a set of Style 5's in the garage to put on that car.

[shifty]

[QUOTE="Walt"]Thanks to everyone (except Shifty). Not considering fugly wheels, unless I had a fugly car.[/QUOTE]

See, I don't have that problem, cuz the fugly wheels look great on my fugly Bronzit car!

[Walt]

Just because it's Bronzit doesn't mean it had to wear fugly shoes.

[Tammer in Philly]

[QUOTE="Walt"]Am I just too lazy, or is there a miracle cleaner I don't know about?

I know I should be waxing the wheels more, too.

Walt[/QUOTE]

Yeah, you're just lazy. No really, I like the suggestions you got to clean more frequently. But to make it even easier ... take the wheels off and clean 'em right once. Inside and out, spotless. Major PITA no matter what you use. Then, coat the nice surfaces with Rejex (http://www.corrosionx.com). This stuff rocks. Your wheels *will* clean up more easily afterwards for about 6 months. Subsequent applications will be easier since getting the wheels clean won't be such a PITA.

My dad is really lazy about his M3 wheels ('98 E36 sedan with Shifty's favorite wheels). The 20 little spokes are a pain. I did the Rejex for him when I was home, and the next time he washed them (about 2 months later), he called to tell me how easily they hosed/wiped clean.

-tammer

[Justin_FL]

Well, on painted wheels with regular applications of wax I never seem to have problems cleaning the dust off? But the wheels I'm talking about are also easy to clean with a wash mitt and soap. Basketweaves, etc are not easy. The Fuchs, Carrera Cups, and 996 wheels my Dads uses on his track 911s are all open and easy to clean.

On the Chevy S-10 I used to drive daily the wheels were washed once a week and the truck every 2. Doesn't seem there is any way around frequently cleaning!

[Shawn D.]

[QUOTE="Tammer in Philly"]Then, coat the nice surfaces with Rejex (http://www.corrosionx.com). This stuff rocks. Your wheels *will* clean up more easily afterwards for about 6 months. Subsequent applications will be easier since getting the wheels clean won't be such a PITA.

My dad is really lazy about his M3 wheels ('98 E36 sedan with Shifty's favorite wheels). The 20 little spokes are a pain. I did the Rejex for him when I was home, and the next time he washed them (about 2 months later), he called to tell me how easily they hosed/wiped clean.[/QUOTE]

There are a few guys in the Peachtree Chapter who use Rejex -- that stuff is silky-smooth and slick!

[booker]

I have some stuff that Kyle in NO got from a dealership he worked at. I don't know the name of it, but is is a reddish liquid, slightly thicker than water, and has salycitic (sp?) acid in it. I know it has acid in it, because it smells the same as the salycitic acid I used to use cleaning fiberglass boats. Anyway, this stuff rocks. It eats the brake dust up. I wet the wheel and tire, spray this stuff on, (hold your breath!), let it sit for a minute, scrub the 36 or so holes of the basketweave with a bottle brush, scrub the tire, and rinse. Best stuff I've used so far. I used to use simple green, but I think it actually hurt the finish of the wheels by taking off whatever wax was on there.

[shifty]

[QUOTE="Walt"]Just because it's Bronzit doesn't mean it had to wear fugly shoes.[/QUOTE]

True, but that's what came with the car, and when I needed new tires I couldn't afford wheels, too. So, I've got new (well, not anymore, but they're only a year old now) tires on the fugly wheels that I need to wear down before I go with more wheels/tires.

*sigh* ~_~

At least when the tires wear down, I'll have my excuse to step up to some 17" wheels. I HATE how these damn 15-inchers roll over on the sidewall every time I turn the corner! :@