Help on removing cooked brake dust from wheels - MINI2

rei00 · #1 (**permalink**) May 12th, 2003, 02:48 PM

I was cleaning my wheels and I noticed some brake dust that seems stuck and would not come out...

Is there anything I can use to remove these offensive stuff from wheels easily? I would like to use something that I can readily purchase from nearby shop.

ChrisD · #2 (**permalink**) May 14th, 2003, 02:33 AM

There is a product in the UK called "Wonder Wheels". It is a Mild form of acid.

It sounds nasty but it is safe as long as you do not use it un-laquered wheels.

Hope that helps

rei00 · #3 (**permalink**) May 14th, 2003, 10:08 AM

Thanks for the reply, but I am looking for something I can readily obtain in U.S... Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

catalyst · #4 (**permalink**) May 14th, 2003, 08:21 PM

I've found that a few spritzes of 'Simple Green' onto a scrubbing sponge works quite well.

If you subsequently apply a coat of something akin to Klaase all-in-one onto the wheels after washing, the brake dust becomes very easy to remove.

dco43054 · #5 (**permalink**) May 15th, 2003, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by catalyst
I've found that a few spritzes of 'Simple Green' onto a scrubbing sponge works quite well...

Just a caution - I had Simple Green attack and discolor the paint on a Cub Cadet once - so be careful.

I'm sure there are a number of good cleaners out there. I use Castrol Super Clean and it works very well. Spritz the wheel, wait a minute, hose off most of the nasty stuff, and wipe with a towel, or paper towels and the rest comes off. It's supposed to be safe for all types of wheels, and certainly seems so on my silver MINI wheels.

Dave

Tonyt3 · #6 (**permalink**) May 15th, 2003, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChrisD
There is a product in the UK called "Wonder Wheels". It is a Mild form of acid.

It sounds nasty but it is safe as long as you do not use it un-laquered wheels.

Hope that helps

Someone mentioned that Wonder Wheels is now available in the US, I think WalMart sell it..... if it is available, buy it. I promise you, you won't ever need to use any other product on your wheels. You won't believe how good it is. I would be surprised if its not marketed there, I will try to contact the company here in the UK to see if they are selling it in the US.... It might have a different name I suppose...

Resident · #7 (**permalink**) May 20th, 2003, 07:45 AM

I use Sonus Songel and it works wonders, just get a soft brush to loosen us the dirt and the spray it off with a hose. The best stuff I've used, very easy, great results.

rhardaker · #8 (**permalink**) May 20th, 2003, 04:40 PM

Can you get Autoglym products in the US? They make a very good wheel cleaner too - in fact I use a lot of their products and they all work well (and no I don't work for them !)

rei00 · #9 (**permalink**) May 21st, 2003, 04:28 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I will go and check the wal mart - and I think griot's garage sells autoglym products although I am not really sure.

zgokart · #10 (**permalink**) May 27th, 2003, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rei00
Thanks for all the replies. I will go and check the wal mart - and I think griot's garage sells autoglym products although I am not really sure.

__________
Consensus is that Wonder Wheels and autoglym is most popular in the UK. I just bought P21S which is a German product and recommended by Car Care Products. pH is about 9.5, same as Simple Green, but I wouldn't use Simple green.

I think that too often, after people try some wheel cleaner and if it cleans well, they swear by it, but it is the long term effect on the wheel clear finish that is important. Most wheel sprays have enough chemicals in the form of acids and caustic hydroxides to remove brake dust, but that's not the all-that-matters criteria.

As an addendum to this thread, I intend to change my brake pads to EBC's green stuff when the time comes for the change. Less brake dust.