I Can’t Get the Brake Dust off the Wheels – HELP!

[jebfour]

Recently, we purchased a Lexus 2015 IS250 F Sport for my wife to drive. It’s a great car and everything is in nice condition. However, it is clear that the brake dust is stuck to the wheels (somewhat bad on the front wheels). I have scrubbed with car wash and a wheel brush, and this afternoon, I used Blackfire Eclipse Tire and Wheel cleaner. While it did a great job cleaning, it didn’t remove the “embedded” brake dust.

Later, I used a little Pinnacle XMT 360 on a section of one of the wheels and there was a wonderful difference. This being said, pulling off the wheels and going to that extent on each wheel may be a bit of an undertaking. What are my other options? I have some Iron-X but I’m not sure that this is the right approach.

Please help! Any and all suggestions appreciated!

[Rsurfer]

Recently, we purchased a Lexus 2015 IS250 F Sport for my wife to drive. It’s a great car and everything is in nice condition. However, it is clear that the brake dust is stuck to the wheels (somewhat bad on the front wheels). I have scrubbed with car wash and a wheel brush, and this afternoon, I used Blackfire Eclipse Tire and Wheel cleaner. While it did a great job cleaning, it didn’t remove the “embedded” brake dust.

Later, I used a little Pinnacle XMT 360 on a section of one of the wheels and there was a wonderful difference. This being said, pulling off the wheels and going to that extent on each wheel may be a bit of an undertaking. What are my other options? I have some Iron-X but I’m not sure that this is the right approach.

Please help! Any and all suggestions appreciated!

IronX and a little agitation should remove the imbedded brake dust.

[WaxMaster1]

Pics would be nice, but the big gun is usually Meguiar's Wheel Brightener. As others will mention, wear a respirator, gloves and other protective gear when using. Don't quote me on this, but on a retail level, I believe Meguiar's Hot Wheels for Chrome wheels is similar (Red Bottle)

[jebfour]

Agreed - I should have posted some pics. Now that it's a bit dark out it's hard to see. I can do this tomorrow though if needed.

Thanks!

[KirkH]

Make it easy on yourself and save the busted knuckles: take the wheels off. You can use a pressure washer better, some Tarminator, an iron decon product, a degreaser, and then clay and polish. Remove polish oils with IPA or WipeOut surface cleaner. Coat them with Opti and be done with them. Some TufSHine tire cleaner and tire coating while youre at it and all you will need to do is rinse them from then on.

[UncleDavy]

Mothers Tire and Wheel Cleaner. It is acid based and pretty deadly stuff but just spray it on, wait a couple of minutes and hose it off.

[Eldorado2k]

Get some of this.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171022/018f916d139e7bacf7949e4e805fec2b.jpg

Or like the Waxmaster suggested, Meguiars Hot Wheels Chrome Wheel Cleaner.

[jebfour]

Thanks to all that replied. Now I have a game plan to get this taken care of! It looks like Autogeek will be getting another order this morning.

[RippyD]

Jumping to a ammonium blflouride or hydroflouric acid cleaner is an option. If you use one please use out outside, wear protective gear (gloves), and do whatever you can to not inhale it. And flush with water far more than you think is necessary. This is bad stuff.

You could try IronX, but in my limited experience iron is only a small fraction of the grime covering wheels. I would try Sonax or 3D BDX if you want a wheel cleaner with iron remover. You could also try a strong APC and see if it makes a dent, then IronX after that. Could be an ABF or HF based cleaner would work well enough without polishing.

However you clean them, I agree with protecting them with something. Coatings can work well but obviously need some cure time. I have had good success with Sonax Rim Shield. I usually reapply every 4 months or so.

[FUNX650]

Recently, we purchased a Lexus 2015
IS250 F Sport for my wife to drive.
It’s a great car and everything is in
nice condition.

However, it is clear that the brake dust
is stuck to the wheels.


Jumping to a ammonium blflouride or
hydroflouric acid cleaner is an option.

If you use one please use out outside,
wear protective gear (gloves), and do
whatever you can to not inhale it. And
flush with water far more than you think
is necessary. This is bad stuff.

Besides the ultra important concern and
regards for personal health and safety...

If your F-Sport has the upgraded braking
components package, then: a similar con-
cern/cautiousness should also be exercised
if products containing ammonium biflouride
or hydroflouric acid are going to be used as
wheel cleaners, IMO.



Bob

[Eldorado2k]

Besides the ultra important concern and
regards for personal health and safety...

If your F-Sport has the upgraded braking
components package, then: a similar con-
cern/cautiousness should also be exercised
if products containing ammonium biflouride
or hydroflouric acid are going to be used as
wheel cleaners, IMO.



Bob

What will happen?

[Eldorado2k]

What will happen?

Nothing...

Nothing except a clean wheel.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171022/50a20dc5dcf2af48912bea060fa44724.jpg

+ Super Degreaser =

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171022/afe9324c6b3a89d091a896ed723099eb.jpg

Clean wheel & tire w/o scrubbing.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171022/3505583fa54871b34727c20355397311.jpg

[Rsurfer]

Nothing...

Nothing except a clean wheel.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171022/50a20dc5dcf2af48912bea060fa44724.jpg

+ Super Degreaser =

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171022/afe9324c6b3a89d091a896ed723099eb.jpg

Clean wheel & tire w/o scrubbing.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171022/3505583fa54871b34727c20355397311.jpg

:iagree:You need to take precaution when using Wheel Brightener, but you don't need a full body suit, after all you are not spraying nerve gas on your wheels.

[Android]

I've used Meguiars Hot Wheels Cleaner to help me clean the barrels of my factory wheels . Just sprayed it on , 30 second wait time , full rinse and then used a wheel brush (I bought here) with soapy water and that worked for me .
Since many factory wheels have a clear coat on them , it sounds like the brake dust has penetrated the clear coat !?! JMO

[evo77]

How does Megs WB affect a coating like CQ?

Our wheels don't get that dirty ever so if I can save time by not needing to agitate each wheel by hand that would be awesome. Plus being touch less reduces the chance of me marring them. Both have gloss black windows.