Brake Dust!?!?!?!?

[bryfliesme]

Today I just applied REJEX to my white rims. I have heard others saying they have had success using this product to reduce the brake dust build up. According to the bottle: "REJEX is an advanced polymer treatment designed to provide an ultra-slick barrier that seals and protects painted surfaces, glass, metal gel coat and acrylics against bird droppings. bugs, spider droppings, bugs exhaust stains, oil, tar, grease and other dirt and grime"
"REJEX has a high reflective index, which provides richer ,deeper looking colors, leaves a lustrous long-lasting finish, and climates the need for waxing or polishing. One application lasts 4 months".

So, I used it today on the wheels, glass and headlamps. It is curing now (12 Hours in the shade or garage). I will keep you posted on the results.

I did not use it on the paint. I only use Meguairs Gold products on the paint. However, me pal who is a pilot, swears by REJEX on his Citation X business jet.

PS: 1-800-638-7361 www.corrosionx.com

[asianthug_ak47]

I have notice a lot of Bimmers with super dirty rims. I always thought they're too lazy to clean their cars, but now I know it is the brake overly dusty nature. Why don't you guys buy Brembo brake? I am saving my money for a Brembo kit so I can stop my car with authority once the 19 inches rims are installed.

[TJRicer]

Here is a link to some info about those pads.

http://outmotoring.com/ebc_green_stuff_brake_pads.html

[asianthug_ak47]

I hate having to clean my tires all the time due to brake dust. I am pretty good at not having to use brake often, but the tires are dirty too quick. A guy I know has drum brake on his Acura and it barely shave off dust like modern brake.

[298]

Gang,

I just recently purchased the new Maguiar's NXT wax and applied it to my white s-lites. So far, the brake dust has not been as bad. I will see how long it holds up. It is definitely a lot easier to clean. Just hose off or wipe off dry with terry cloth or duster. Only time will tell though.

[tarzan4you]

I purchased wheel covers, which some say is a no no - then had them painted chili red to match my car. WOW keeps the dust off and the thumbe comming. Check my pictures in my gallery

[paddy]

The OEM pads are very dusty. Like most other here I got tired of all the dust, so I installed a set of Mintex Red Box pads on the rear. I cleaned the wheels up real nice, they looked great. Drove around for 2 weeks, and noticed that the rear wheels appeared to be cleaner, but needless to say they were dusty & dirty. They did not look as dirty as the fronts, but in reality it was just a different color dirt. About 10 days ago, put EBC Green Stuff all the around. The wheels are cleaner, but the brake dust is still there, just a whole lot less. Very pleased with the EBC product. As far as the inner wheel covers, I would be concerned about the heat build up under any type of heavy & repeated braking. I feel that any type of track day would be out of the question with the wheel covers on. This is just my opinion.

[shedend]

White wheels rock -
but x2 week cleaning dosen't - have used auto glym wax on them which helps (makes cleaning easier) and autoglym wheel cleaner which is good stuff. Still they are less boring than the usual 'alloys' - everyones got them. Be different!

[MiniSMan]

Yes!! Meaguire's NXT works great on my wheels just tried it last week to see what would happen and all u need to clean off your rims is a cloth that stuff is amazing i tell u

[Blue Thunder]

The dust has been a problem on all european car since the beginning of time (actually only since the beginning of disc brakes). I've done service work on Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, and now Mini since 1971. For years we have been dealing with brake pad dust. We have used several brands, which include, Repco, PBR, Green stuff, and all of the various factory pads. Some make more dust, others are hard on rotors, while some work better in high speed applications.
The one that we offer now, as a replacement pad that has the least amount of dust is a brand called Mintex. Keep in mind there will always be some dust. But the dust will be almost un-noticable. Just imagine the dust that the rear brakes make now. That will be what the front will look like, and the rears will be almost no dust. Mintex is the supplier of the John Cooper challenge series. They make 4 different compounds, from street to race. The street pads are the ones you want, they are the (Mintex red box).
When you install any pad, always either turn or replace the rotors. Because there will always be some deviation in thickness. The only time I would just stuff in pads is if the car has very low milage. 6000 or less. Then always use an antisqueek compound on the back. Allow the pad to seat in for at least 300 miles. If you check out our web site you can find the application for your car.
Good luck with your car! Another item coming available soon is a Bentley repair manual for the Mini. That would be a good investment!

[jwardell]

Are the redbox pads worse at braking during spirited driving and autoX than stock? The description on promini concerns me. I would be more likely to consider the M1144s. But then they're much more expensive.

How hard are these to install? Remove wheels, then just clip off old pads? Never done it so a little reluctant. But because I have white x-lites and only at 600 mi I'm considering it.

[shedend]

hey jwardell,
you Mini (minus new roof graphics) is the twin brother of mine! - just your steering wheel is on the wrong side
Dave

[shedend]

Quote: Originally Posted by shedend

hey jwardell,
you Mini (minus new roof graphics) is the twin brother of mine! - just your steering wheel is on the wrong side
Dave

oops sorry - liiks like my twin (but must be bigger twin brother as you got the JCW!)

[Blue Thunder]

Quote: Originally Posted by jwardell

Are the redbox pads worse at braking during spirited driving and autoX than stock? The description on promini concerns me. I would be more likely to consider the M1144s. But then they're much more expensive.

How hard are these to install? Remove wheels, then just clip off old pads? Never done it so a little reluctant. But because I have white x-lites and only at 600 mi I'm considering it.

Each compound is designed for a special driving style. The softer compounds are gentle on rotors, and heat up quickly for good cold stopping, but as they heat up, and exceed their temp limits they will wear out quickly. The next grade up, 1144 takes alittle time to warm up for optimum performance, but will go to much higher temp limits. I've never seen a pad that does both. But what I have done is get a red box for street, mark them when you remove them and install 1144's for the week end track event.

The pads are a little more work than the conventional 2 piston caliper type. you will need to remove the caliper, and compress the piston and slip in the pads, then remount them to the strut. Rears require a special tool to back off the piston to allow the thicker pad in. Caliper must be removed. The tool is universal and can be purchased at a local part store.

For track you may be able to just swap out front pads since they are the ones that see the heat!
If you do track days or auto cross always have an extra set of pads.

[jwardell]

Thanks. Do you know of any place that has a how-to on the process with pictures? I always figured it was relatively simple enough to do yourself but relectuant because breaks are NOT something you want to screw up. What do you think of running streets on the rear and 1144s on the fronts?

After cleaning my wheels every other day for the past week, I really think I want to do this, it's already annoying after owning the car for only one week.

shedend--hey there, glad to see someone else has the courage to get black & white!