[Bavarian]

Not sure/don't remember if the wheels came like this or if it happened within a year. Anything I can do to take care of this?

[ChrisBimmer]

Brake dust?

[Bavarian]

Originally Posted by ChrisBimmer

Brake dust?

i dont think so. It doesn't come off easily.

[ChrisBimmer]

I had my 335i and didn't wipe the wheels down and after 1 month the brake dust built up like no tomorrow - I had almost black wheels...It looks like brake dust from here...wheel cleaner, and a MF cloth should do the trick...but I'm no expert...

[Bavarian]

Originally Posted by ChrisBimmer

I had my 335i and didn't wipe the wheels down and after 1 month the brake dust built up like no tomorrow - I had almost black wheels...It looks like brake dust from here...wheel cleaner, and a MF cloth should do the trick...but I'm no expert...

I really hope it is brake dust. Will give it another shot tonight. Thanks man.

[TOGWT]

What do you normally use to clean the wheel surfaces?

AQuartz IronX or Sonax Extreme Wheel Cleaner will turn ferrous metal (brake /rail dust) red, enabling it to be rinsed away, it also a sure way to tell if indeed that's what the 'spots' are

[Envious Eric]

is the paint on the wheels failing? Kinda hard to tell from the pics. Could be time for a repaint, maybe switch colors if you've wanted to...lol get them powdercoated!

if its removing, I would speed up the process by using sonax full effect! stuff is amazing!

[Detailed Image]

If there is a layer on top of the wheel I'd suggest cleaning with the SONAX Wheel Cleaner Full Effect. However it looks like the brake dust may be somehow harming the finish and removing some of it. If the cleaner doesn't work I would consider contacting a wheel shop for help. Either way I'd recommend protecting the wheels with a sealant like Poorboy's World Wheel Sealant. Good luck!

Greg @ DI

[Bavarian]

Originally Posted by TOGWT

What do you normally use to clean the wheel surfaces?

AQuartz IronX or Sonax Extreme Wheel Cleaner will turn ferrous metal (brake /rail dust) red, enabling it to be rinsed away, it also a sure way to tell if indeed that's what the 'spots' are

I just use the car wash soap to clean wheels. eh :/

[Bavarian]

Originally Posted by Envious Eric

is the paint on the wheels failing? Kinda hard to tell from the pics. Could be time for a repaint, maybe switch colors if you've wanted to...lol get them powdercoated!

if its removing, I would speed up the process by using sonax full effect! stuff is amazing!

Or time to change wheels. lol

[Bavarian]

Originally Posted by Detailed Image

If there is a layer on top of the wheel I'd suggest cleaning with the SONAX Wheel Cleaner Full Effect. However it looks like the brake dust may be somehow harming the finish and removing some of it. If the cleaner doesn't work I would consider contacting a wheel shop for help. Either way I'd recommend protecting the wheels with a sealant like Poorboy's World Wheel Sealant. Good luck!

Greg @ DI

It does feel like a layer on top of the finish. This wheel cleaner sounds promising. Can I use this sealant for the wheels as well?

[Ridonculous]

Originally Posted by Bavarian

Or time to change wheels. lol

Can't go wrong with new wheels...

[Bobble]

Originally Posted by Bavarian

It does feel like a layer on top of the finish. This wheel cleaner sounds promising. Can I use this sealant for the wheels as well?

You can use any sealant on painted wheels and in fact many do. Does the stuff come off on your finger if you rub it with some soap and water or does it feel rough liked it's etched in? If the later it's probably clear coat failure like Eric said.

[blue335xi]

that is a base primer you see, your clear coat and paint came off because the clear coat was thin and poor quality.
wheels need to be repainted and cleared, with quality clear

[drvai]

paint faded...

You will need to re-pain the wheels. Likely you have been using the wrong products to clean the wheels.

[Detailed Image]

Originally Posted by Bavarian

It does feel like a layer on top of the finish. This wheel cleaner sounds promising. Can I use this sealant for the wheels as well?

Yes that sealant will work great on the wheels.

Greg @ DI

[Bavarian]

Originally Posted by Detailed Image

Yes that sealant will work great on the wheels.

Greg @ DI

Originally Posted by blue335xi

that is a base primer you see, your clear coat and paint came off because the clear coat was thin and poor quality.
wheels need to be repainted and cleared, with quality clear

Originally Posted by Bobble

You can use any sealant on painted wheels and in fact many do. Does the stuff come off on your finger if you rub it with some soap and water or does it feel rough liked it's etched in? If the later it's probably clear coat failure like Eric said.

So this stuff doesn't come off. I tried for about an hour with the wheel cleaning product. The wheel in the pictures is actually the worst one out of the four. It isn't that visible (at least not yet) unless you're looking from a very close range.

How do I keep the paint damage from spreading? If I use a sealant on it, will that help?

I'm thinking of just getting the M3 359 competition wheels soon so I don't want to spend money on these.

[TwinPowerF30]

How are you washing them? What if your new wheels encounter the same faith?

[Bavarian]

Originally Posted by weiweiwei

How are you washing them? What if your new wheels encounter the same faith?

Just w/ regular Meguiar's car wash shampoo. I wasn't using a sealant on it though

[TwinPowerF30]

I don't use sealant and my wheels are fine. Did you bring to any car wash place or dealership wash where they use strong acid maybe?

[MuttGrunt]

I looks like the type of damage you see on wheels over time from brake dust damage. Keeping your wheels clean is the best way to prevent this type of stuff from happening.

Of course with good brake pads, you're going to encounter dusting, but you don't want excessive amounts of dust to sit for long periods of time. Even if you don't wash your car once a week, try to at least clean your wheels that often.

[Bavarian]

Originally Posted by MuttGrunt

I looks like the type of damage you see on wheels over time from brake dust damage. Keeping your wheels clean is the best way to prevent this type of stuff from happening.

Of course with good brake pads, you're going to encounter dusting, but you don't want excessive amounts of dust to sit for long periods of time. Even if you don't wash your car once a week, try to at least clean your wheels that often.

That is probably what happened to my wheels. There was a period when i didn't clean my wheels for a couple of months. Other than just keeping the wheel clean, will I need to so something to keep this from spreading?