How can I remove baked on brake dust?

ATD1 · 01-31-2008, 08:10 PM

Guys,

I have my factory painted wheels off for the winter like many of you. I cleaned the heck out them and the inner wheel has these black specs all over. I tried all possible tar removers so I know it isn't tar. Its baked on brake dust as far as I know but how do you remove this stuff? I've read that some use a claybar but are there any other products or solutions that help break it down and make it easier to remove.

PLEASE HELP!!

cn555ic · 01-31-2008, 08:23 PM

whatever you use, DO NOT use brillo pads!!!

L~R~G nor cal · 01-31-2008, 08:42 PM

Check out my post. I had the same problem.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106694

BK · 01-31-2008, 11:12 PM

I had this on my winter tires that had sat for months without cleaning. They were even worse than L~R~G nor cal's (actually, quite a bit worse). Rubbing compound was the only thing that worked. I just did it by hand, but a powerball would be a great idea.

ATD1 · 02-01-2008, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BK

I had this on my winter tires that had sat for months without cleaning. They were even worse than L~R~G nor cal's (actually, quite a bit worse). Rubbing compound was the only thing that worked. I just did it by hand, but a powerball would be a great idea.

Any rubbing in particualar that might work better?

Thanks.

BK · 02-01-2008, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATD1

Any rubbing in particualar that might work better?

Thanks.

A lot of people here use the 3M compound. I used Turtle Wax.

Keep in mind it is an abrasive. You're rubbing a gritty paste on the wheels to get the stuff off. I wouldn't use it on my car's paint, for example. But with my winter wheels, I'd given up being gentle with them. It worked great, just a little elbow grease required.

ATD1 · 02-01-2008, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BK

A lot of people here use the 3M compound. I used Turtle Wax.

Keep in mind it is an abrasive. You're rubbing a gritty paste on the wheels to get the stuff off. I wouldn't use it on my car's paint, for example. But with my winter wheels, I'd given up being gentle with them. It worked great, just a little elbow grease required.

So I take it 3M only makes (1) rubbing compound? I thought they had a couple different ones. Can you be more specific?

Thanks

nmulax · 02-01-2008, 10:52 AM

The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works pretty well too.

ATD1 · 02-01-2008, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmulax

The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works pretty well too.

I heard that it leaves marring...not as good as using claybar.

nmulax · 02-01-2008, 11:19 AM

I haven't had any problems with marring on my stock rims.
Just make sure the eraser and wheel and wet.

LENELSA · 02-01-2008, 11:26 AM

Wd-40

F32Fleet · 02-01-2008, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LENELSA

Wd-40

Hmmm...interesting.

ScheerSpeed · 02-01-2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LENELSA

Wd-40

that would probably work....

i use Meguiar's Wheel Brightener. it is probably one of the strongest wheel cleaners out there.

L~R~G nor cal · 02-01-2008, 05:05 PM

The strongest wheel cleaner out there would be CG grimp reaper. But with what you are talking about with how it is baked on... You need to buff it out. I know from experence. I used the 3M stuff and I was happy with the results. But I would follow with some sort of wheel wax. Or if you want to give crazy protection use CG jetseal and follow with a nice protective wax..

Bobby_Light · 02-01-2008, 08:30 PM

On my chrome 159s, I used WD-40 and Nevr Dul. The wheels had CAKED brake dust on the face of the wheel from 10 months of neglect from the previous owner. WD40 seemed to help loosen the contaminants and the Nevr Dul finished the job. I spent around an hour on each wheel. Not an easy fix, but made a huge difference.

FMINUS · 02-01-2008, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScheerSpeed

that would probably work....

i use Meguiar's Wheel Brightener. it is probably one of the strongest wheel cleaners out there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by L~R~G nor cal

The strongest wheel cleaner out there would be CG grimp reaper. But with what you are talking about with how it is baked on... You need to buff it out. I know from experence. I used the 3M stuff and I was happy with the results. But I would follow with some sort of wheel wax. Or if you want to give crazy protection use CG jetseal and follow with a nice protective wax..

Got you both beat with CG Wheel Acid

Last E92 M3 · 02-01-2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FMINUS

Got you both beat with CG Wheel Acid

its acid, it's gonna eat your wheel away! dont use!!!

FMINUS · 02-01-2008, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last E92 M3

its acid, it's gonna eat your wheel away! dont use!!!

What do you think wheel brightener is?

Sniz · 02-01-2008, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FMINUS

What do you think wheel brightener is?

diluted wheel acid

LACA335i · 02-01-2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATD1

Guys,

I have my factory painted wheels off for the winter like many of you. I cleaned the heck out them and the inner wheel has these black specs all over. I tried all possible tar removers so I know it isn't tar. Its baked on brake dust as far as I know but how do you remove this stuff? I've read that some use a claybar but are there any other products or solutions that help break it down and make it easier to remove.

PLEASE HELP!!

buy wheel and rime cleaner.. it should fix it . It is like bandaid.

FMINUS · 02-01-2008, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniz

diluted wheel acid

01-31-2008, 08:10 PM	#1
ATD1 Enlisted Member 3 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: CT iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i Sedan [0.00]	How can I remove baked on brake dust? Guys, I have my factory painted wheels off for the winter like many of you. I cleaned the heck out them and the inner wheel has these black specs all over. I tried all possible tar removers so I know it isn't tar. Its baked on brake dust as far as I know but how do you remove this stuff? I've read that some use a claybar but are there any other products or solutions that help break it down and make it easier to remove. PLEASE HELP!! __________________ *2007 335i (E90) - Jet Black - Dark Burlwood - Black Leatherette - Auto - Sport Pkg - Paddle shifters - Heated Seats - BMW Assist*
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01-31-2008, 08:23 PM	#2
cn555ic 441 Rep 18,331 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: US iTrader: (6)	whatever you use, DO NOT use brillo pads!!!
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01-31-2008, 08:42 PM	#3
L~R~G nor cal Perfection Is In The Details 67 Rep 1,044 Posts Drives: 06 E90 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Check out my post. I had the same problem. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106694 __________________ 2006 E90 SG-Dinan Ram Air Intake-Dinan Throttle Body-Dinan Exhaust-19' Hyperblack CSL's-15/5 tint-Matte Black Grills-M3 Spoiler Lip-Amber Delete-Smoke Side Signals
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01-31-2008, 11:12 PM	#4
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	I had this on my winter tires that had sat for months without cleaning. They were even worse than L~R~G nor cal's (actually, quite a bit worse). Rubbing compound was the only thing that worked. I just did it by hand, but a powerball would be a great idea. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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02-01-2008, 10:52 AM	#8
nmulax Brigadier General 378 Rep 4,320 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: Metro-Detroit iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 Z4M Coupé [7.66]	The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works pretty well too. __________________
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02-01-2008, 11:19 AM	#10
nmulax Brigadier General 378 Rep 4,320 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: Metro-Detroit iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 Z4M Coupé [7.66]	I haven't had any problems with marring on my stock rims. Just make sure the eraser and wheel and wet. __________________
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02-01-2008, 11:26 AM	#11
LENELSA Private First Class 33 Rep 174 Posts Drives: 2016 Audi A6 3.0 /BMW M240i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Wd-40
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02-01-2008, 05:05 PM	#14
L~R~G nor cal Perfection Is In The Details 67 Rep 1,044 Posts Drives: 06 E90 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	The strongest wheel cleaner out there would be CG grimp reaper. But with what you are talking about with how it is baked on... You need to buff it out. I know from experence. I used the 3M stuff and I was happy with the results. But I would follow with some sort of wheel wax. Or if you want to give crazy protection use CG jetseal and follow with a nice protective wax.. __________________ 2006 E90 SG-Dinan Ram Air Intake-Dinan Throttle Body-Dinan Exhaust-19' Hyperblack CSL's-15/5 tint-Matte Black Grills-M3 Spoiler Lip-Amber Delete-Smoke Side Signals
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02-01-2008, 08:30 PM	#15
Bobby_Light Major 65 Rep 1,352 Posts Drives: E36 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: SoCal iTrader: (14)	On my chrome 159s, I used WD-40 and Nevr Dul. The wheels had CAKED brake dust on the face of the wheel from 10 months of neglect from the previous owner. WD40 seemed to help loosen the contaminants and the Nevr Dul finished the job. I spent around an hour on each wheel. Not an easy fix, but made a huge difference.
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