Brake Dust

[Sausagefingers]

I just got my car a couple of days ago, and was wondering about all of the break dust on my beautiful white wheels. Can I expect it always to be this bad, or does it get a little better after the break in of the breaks???

[Martin L]

Don't worry it does get better. Mine improved around 2000 miles, but I guess it depends on their usage so it could be longer or shorter.
At least it gives you an excuse to clean the car more often

[HarryHBMCC]

My car's dust was reduced somewhat after 2000-3000 miles but after 6500 miles it is still pretty bad. It is just the pads the MINI uses. They stop the car well but require frequent wheel cleaning.

Harry

[IBMiniG]

After having my S a week I just think of the wheels as grey

love the look of the white wheels, but the dust! Hmmm maybe an excuse to send em for some chrome.

I hear this is inherent in BMW brakes, any upgrades out there that would give her more stopping power AND reduce need to clean?

[Sausagefingers]

Amazing how dirty they get so quickly!!!! I am going to try and wax them to see how that works out. Maybe after 1200 miles it will not be so bad. Hell when the snow starts flying this weekend I doubt it will matter much anyway!!

[dukesantos]

I have been told that it is the pad material and that BMW and other German cars also have dust issues. The Greenstuff pad from EBC has a good reputation for better stopping power and less dust on other cars. It will be available for the MINI in January. Other brands such as Porterfield, Hawk, Ferodo, Mintex and Raybestos offer or plan to offer pads for the MINI. EBC and Hawk are sold by the Tire Rack.

[Sausagefingers]

I wonder what they will cost?

[Chalky]

During my somewhat prolonged life,I have owned two BM's, two Mercs, one Audi and various Alfas, Fords etc - never found one that didn't mess up the wheels if you drive it hard. Take it easy and there's no problem, but no fun either.

[Chris Williams]

It is amazing how quickly the brake dust builds up!!

Has anyone got any thoughts of alloy wheel cleaning products? I do have an autoglym alloy wheel cleaning brush..which is quite good for getting in behind the actual spokes where the dust really settles.

Regards
Christopher

[Chalky]

"Wonder Wheels", available from Halfords etc, is very good. Easy, and quick, to apply and removes even the most stubborn deposits.

[tip]

I have to clean my wheels weekly. Is there any type of product that I can treat my rims with to cut down on the dust accumilation.

[indiman]

Has anyone tried using a brake dust cover? I have seen these in magazines but don't know much about them.

[jlivingood]

I have tried a few things that have made my wheels a lot easier to clean. Every 4 or 5 times I wash the car, I throw on some liquid car wax on the wheels.

Thereafter, cleaning is a lot easier. I wet the wheels and then mist with Simple Green. I let that sit on the wheel for afew seconds and then use a large wheel cleaning brush to scrub the spokes, center cap and face of the wheel. Then I use a small / long brush to get in between the spokes. I try to move quickly so as not to let simple green sit on the wheel for more than a minute.

Then, rinse with water. I usually keep the brushes in a pail of soapy water (same brand used to wash the car but not the same pail). I will use the brushes to touch up the wheel in case I missed any spots. This takes just a couple of minutes total so it's quick work and very thorough.

Jason

[BruceK]

Quote:

Originally posted by jlivingood
...I throw on some liquid car wax on the wheels....


... I wet the wheels and then mist with Simple Green. ...

Thanks for sharing what works for you, but wouldn't Simple Green easily remove the wax? I mean if regular dishwashing liquid removes wax, wouldn't the more powerful Simple Green do the same thing?

[Sausagefingers]

I am pretty sure he meant that he waxes the wheels after washing them. The wax helps to keep a build up of brake dust making the next washing all the more easy.