Brake Dust Problem

[McCoy]

Im wondering if anyone can give me some suggestions how to combat a brake dust problem I have.

2009 Volvo s80

In a few sections of the rear wheels there is speckled brake dust pitted into the wheels. I tried Sonax and Iron-X and clay, none of which removed the speckles. I dont know what to try next. I dont want to use anything abrasive and risk scratching the finish.

(I tried to take pictures but I cant get the file size down while still including the detail needed)

Suggestions?
Thanks.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Perhaps it could be tar. Your previous attempts won't do much for tar.

My next step would be CarPro Trix or Tar-X.

[SYMAWD]

Did the spots turn color when sprayed with Iron X?

[McCoy]

Did the spots turn color when sprayed with Iron X?

I see where you are going here.

It turns purple. I just did a small test spot. Once it turned purple I tried to remove them with my fingernail, which worked, but I put shallow scratches in the wheel in the process.

So if we've determined that Iron-X will loosen the debris, what is abrasive enough to remove the particles but that wont drag said particles across the finish of my wheel and scratch it?

A soft toothbrush maybe? I dont want to do too much trial and error and ruin a wheel.

[Desertnate]

In a few sections of the rear wheels there is speckled brake dust pitted into the wheels.

I noticed you use of the word "pitted". Are there actually tiny pits in the surface of the wheel's paint?

I've seen German cars which dust heavily (to include a BMW I once owned) end up with spots where paint was physically pitted due to brake dust build up. Because of the damage to the paint on the wheels, all I could do was make it look as good as possible.

From what I've been told, brake dust+moisture+heat = a pretty corrosive environment.

[McCoy]

I noticed you use of the word "pitted". Are there actually tiny pits in the surface of the wheel's paint?

I've seen German cars which dust heavily (to include a BMW I once owned) end up with spots where paint was physically pitted due to brake dust build up. Because of the damage to the paint on the wheels, all I could do was make it look as good as possible.

From what I've been told, brake dust+moisture+heat = a pretty corrosive environment.

So I went out and noticed that maybe its not "pitted" afterall. I dont see any noticable holes in the area where I just scratched off a few particles.

Now I just need to find away to get them off without scratching the wheel. I have a pressure washer too. Its one of those $100 gizmos from Sams. I wonder if the Iron-X and swipe with the pressure washer will work?

[SYMAWD]

I see where you are going here.

It turns purple. I just did a small test spot. Once it turned purple I tried to remove them with my fingernail, which worked, but I put shallow scratches in the wheel in the process.

So if we've determined that Iron-X will loosen the debris, what is abrasive enough to remove the particles but that wont drag said particles across the finish of my wheel and scratch it?

A soft toothbrush maybe? I dont want to do too much trial and error and ruin a wheel.

So now that we know it is indeed iron, perhaps try Iron X paste so that you can let it sit there and really brake it down. You may have to do several applications.

[mleun481]

If its really bad, I take the wheels off and use iron-x, tar-x, pressure washer and a plastic razor for the little specs. It takes time, though.

Deluxe Long Reach Scraper and Plastic Razor Blades

[GSKR]

You can see if you can buy a gallon of acid from some place,spray it on spray it off throughly,it's a acid base wheel cleaner 5 x stronger than iron x and no touching the wheel at all,that would be the most effective affordable solution to your promblem.