[sk55]

hey,

my wheels look terrible from brake dust..

whats the easiest way to clean these things?

any product recommendation appreciated... i just hate cleaning wheels...


now the paint is waxed and perfect!

thanks

guys

[Antetokounmpo]

http://www.amazon.com/Sonax-230200-7...ax+full+effect

This works wonders. I personally buy the gallon since it's a wayyyy better deal since I clean mine often.

[PTMedg]

I've been using Brake Dust Professional, very happy with it. must be similar to Sonax as they both turn the brake dust purple upon application.

[Matte90330]

If it's really bad use some simple green and a soft bristle brush

[larrysing]

The BMW wheel cleaner is magical. Not the cheapest, but I've not seen anything better in 35+ years of cleaning cars.

You could also switch to Okebono ceramic pads (my next move) and get a lot less dust.

[Boland01]

When the times comes switch to ceramic brakes.

[WTF?]

http://www.cyclegear.com/VP-RACING-P...h-Moto-Formula

I use this on all my toys. It is no joke, cleans excellet, and does not streak. Makes my rims look like new.

[TomTomTuning]

Originally Posted by Heel Toe

http://www.amazon.com/Sonax-230200-7...ax+full+effect

This works wonders. I personally buy the gallon since it's a wayyyy better deal since I clean mine often.

Sonax has a new formula that's even more effective, Wheel Cleaner Plus.


I agree, buying the 5 liter jug is certainly worth it. However, get yourself a high quality spray bottle. Sonax is thick and seems to always break my cheap Walmart bottles. I just ordered a Kwazar Mercury Pro+ 360, so hopefully this will work better. If you routinely clean your car, all you'll have to do is spray this stuff on your wheels, wait a few minutes (it changes color) and then rinse it off. If the dust gets caked on, then all you'll have to do is scrub it lightly with a rag or brush.

The other product I use is Amor All Wheel Protectant. It adds a temporary coating to the wheels that prevents the brake dust from sticking. Eventually it wears off, however, it surprisingly does a great job at delaying/reducing the dust.

[Antetokounmpo]

Originally Posted by TomTomTuning

Sonax has a new formula that's even more effective.

http://www.amazon.com/Sonax-230241-W...keywords=Sonax


I agree, buying the 5 Liter jug is certainly worth it. However, get yourself a high quality spray bottle, because Sonax is thick and seems to always break my cheap Walmart bottles. I just ordered a Kwazar Mercury Pro+ 360, hopefully this will work better.

Nice, didn't even know they had newer stuff. Old stuff still works well though. But yeah, I actually just use a sonax spray bottle from the first time I bought some. I tried with a different spray bottle and it didn't work well at all.

[TomTomTuning]

Originally Posted by Heel Toe

Nice, didn't even know they had newer stuff. Old stuff still works well though. But yeah, I actually just use a sonax spray bottle from the first time I bought some. I tried with a different spray bottle and it didn't work well at all.

I accidentally left mine at the car wash after it had ran out, but I was so impressed with out well it worked that I had to buy the large jug. Sounds like you did the same thing.

I live in an apartment so I bring my buckets and products to the car wash to use their pressure washer. No worries, I don't use their brushes or soap. LOL

[Soles330i]

sonax all day

ive used a bunch of diff types

armor-all brands
PDP from Dipyourcar
Black Magic
no name stuff from walmart

all types of stuff...but Sonax is def the best and longest lasting. i get the one for like 20 bucks on amazon with prime lasts a good amount of time. dont need alot to get the job done.

[Wolf 335]

I just tried Sonax Wheel Cleaner Plus.

I must say I am very impressed at the cleaning power of this product.

Took everything off, brake dust, grime, baked on yellow brake dust.

Wheeles sparkled like the day I bought them.


5 Stars for this product, and I would definitely recommend to family and friends.

Keep in mind mine was not Sonax Wheel Cleaner Full Effects but rather the stronger version that they have called Sonax Wheel Cleaner PLUS!

[NiNeTyOne]

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

I just tried Sonax Wheel Cleaner Plus.

I'll second the Sonax Wheel Cleaner Plus for routine cleaning, and if it's really bad, get IronX. It works wonders, and it's amazing for removing iron buildup in the paint as well. I use it after track days to get the burnt in rotor debris off the paint.

The real solution is to ditch the BMW Semi-Metalic pads which are not the best stopping pad and make buckets of dust. Switch to a ceramic like Centric PosiQuiet 105.XXXX compound (not the 104 or the 106 as they suck).

I've tested about 30 different pads over the years for both street and track use and I have yet to find a better street pad than the 105's. Quiet, no dust at all, and they stop as well as any pad I've tested on the street (with actual measured stopping distances). They will fade quickly on track, but for even the most spirited daily driving they are perfect.

For track use I have a quiver of Pagid RS pads in a variety of heat ranges, RS19's, RS422's, etc. But they make a mess of the wheels, luckily those are all far too high heat range for street use.

[Thermobaric]

I like Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel. Very good stuff.

[fun2drive]

You have a 2010 right?
You should have the latest pads which don't dust nearly as bad as the 2007-2009 models. Mine are so bad I switched to Cool Carbon Ceramics and have much reduced dust and way better braking except then the pads and rotors are cold.

From what I have seen the 2010 LCI's dust way less so unsure if you got an early 2010 that didn't get the new pad material or yours are just dusting more than they should...

[sk55]

Originally Posted by fun2drive

You have a 2010 right?

yeah i do.. but they still get dirty and i hate cleaning wheels. started washing and detailing my car myself. but i sorta neglect my wheels.

i ordered the Sonax Wheel Cleaner Plus looks like you spray on wash off?!? will see if it works.

just as FYI...

i usually use Optimum No Rinse - to clean my car quickly (if its not too dirty) you can do it pretty fast.

every 4 months i use fk1000p wax, this wax is awesome last up to 6 months...

bird bombs, tar just wipe away easily, for me i use it to protect the car from leaf stains!!.


then i use fk100 0p for quick detailing needs...


for quick touches ups FK425 is great.

and microfiber cloths.



now with a good easy wheel cleaner i am good to go!!

awesome suggestions guys.

[dmatre]

Clean the wheels completely, then coat them with Opti-Coat (now Gloss-Coat).

After that cleanup is incredibly easy and fast.

My 2011 wheels look like new, and it's been 5 years since I coated them.

I always use Optimum No Rinse, even for the wheels, and they come clean and 'like new' every single time.

[sk55]

Originally Posted by dmatre

Clean the wheels completely, then coat them with Opti-Coat (now Gloss-Coat).

After that cleanup is incredibly easy and fast.

My 2011 wheels look like new, and it's been 5 years since I coated them.

I always use Optimum No Rinse, even for the wheels, and they come clean and 'like new' every single time.

will sonax remove opti-coat?

[redline2001]

Try Meguiars Wheel & Tire Cleaner

[dmatre]

Originally Posted by sk55

will sonax remove opti-coat?

Only polishing with an abrasive polish will remove OptiCoat.

I've done the wheels of every car we've owned since around 2009 or so. The wheels still clean up easily on our Murano 7 years later. The wheels on the Bimmer were coated only 5 years ago, so they're hanging in there, looking like new.

[mjn77]

Try Iron-X. Will remove all brakedust.

[sk55]

Originally Posted by dmatre

Only polishing with an abrasive polish will remove OptiCoat.

I've done the wheels of every car we've owned since around 2009 or so. The wheels still clean up easily on our Murano 7 years later. The wheels on the Bimmer were coated only 5 years ago, so they're hanging in there, looking like new.

prob good stuff to try to on side mirror that seem to catch bug guts... in the summer..

and front bumper.