How to remove baked on / caked in brake dust?

[vleong1]

What is the best method to remove this type of brake dust:

?

The brake dust feels smooth as if it melted into the wheel.
I've tried P21S Gel Wheel Cleaner, Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner, and clay with no luck.

So I pulled out my PC with a orange LC pad and used some APC (S100 Total Cycle Cleaner) and was able to achieve the above results after a couple of hours.... and still not done!
Is this safe for my stock oem wheels or am I damaging them?

Any other ideas that I can try out?

[ScottB]

most OEM wheels are clearcoated so treat em like paint and you should be fine.

[Silverstone]

I haven't used it for brake dust but there's a product out there called Bio Green Clean that one guy in a video uses to clean the black exhaust film off of his airplane and it comes right off. It's also supposed to be good for cleaning grimy BBQ grills, and I would guess these two things are similar to your problem. I know it takes sealant off wheels with just a quarter cup added to a wash bucket (I learned that by accident, I didn't really mean to take all the sealant off my wheels, just clean them. LOL)

I hope this isn't a forum no-no btw. If so sorry. Just trying to help fellow car nuts.

[Rsurfer]

Meg's Wheel Brightner will knock it out.

[2SLICK4U]

I had good luck with Meg's Wheel Brightner , just ordered Brown Rroyal should have it on Monday and will test it on 4 yrs old suv whells really bad ones.

[HighEndDetail]

Meg's Wheel Brightner will knock it out.

[vleong1]

What's the pros and cons with high PH vs acidic wheel cleaners?

I will most likely give Megs Wheel Brightener a try since I'm going to make another order very soon..

Err on a side note my car now smells like Sonax Wheel cleaner inside the car whenever I turn on fan....

I had good luck with Meg's Wheel Brightner , just ordered Brown Rroyal should have it on Monday and will test it on 4 yrs old suv whells really bad ones.

Let us know how it goes!

[Rsurfer]

What's the pros and cons with high PH vs acidic wheel cleaners?

I will most likely give Megs Wheel Brightener a try since I'm going to make another order very soon..

Err on a side note my car now smells like Sonax Wheel cleaner inside the car whenever I turn on fan....



Let us know how it goes!

Be very careful when using WB as it is a strong acid. Wear gloves and eye protection. Some will even wear a respirator when using WB. Do not use on aluminum and use only on wheels that are in good condition. If the chrome or clear coat is pitted, the acid will work it's way into the pit and start to corode the metal. Don't let it dry and don't do it on your driveway as it will leave streaks on your concrete. Don't mean to scare you as it is safe if used properly. Good luck with your detailing.

[sgtmillhouse648]

I fourth the wheel brightener. I've had to fight horrid brake dust on my car...yay pbr ult's that really finds its way into my white wheels rather quickly. WB was able to knock it out very quick with a little scrubbing.

[BobbyG]

Meg's Wheel Brightner will knock it out.

Good to know! I have a gallon on its way right now.......Along with a bunch of other goodies too of course!

Do you dilute it or use it full strength???