Brake dust/rust on painted wheel.

[drcoastline]

Anyone have a way to remove brake dust/rust on a painted rim without damaging the finish? I used the search option came up with all sorts of cleaners, painting, etc. but nothing specific to this topic.

This is a crusty type build up. I had the car professionally detailed yesterday but this was still left behind. As of yet I haven't tried anything.

Any help would be appreciated.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Personally if I paid the money to have my car professionally detailed that would be unacceptable. There are plenty of products on the market to clean wheels, but I’ve found that Simple Green allowed to soak on a wet wheel then scrubbed with a stiff bristle brush is effective. Don’t waste your money on spray and rinse type products, some agitation is necessary. Eventually brake dust can actually etch the paint, at that point you’ll need to have the wheels refinished.

[javadog]

P21s works well. Apply it, let it soak for a while and do some light scrubbing.

[Zeke]

I imagine that wheel was pretty well loaded up with brake mung beforehand. I can offer this, if the detailer couldn't/wouldn't remove that then it's likely that the wheel finish will be damaged when you do find something that will eat it.

Normally a light acid is used, YMMV.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Personally if I paid the money to have my car professionally detailed that would be unacceptable.

Yeah I get it, would annoy me as well.

But it kind of depends on the level of detail one pays for.

If he paid $50.00 I would not expect much more than a pretty good wash, wax. vacuum job.

For $150.00 I'd expect to not see that and carpets shampooed.

[Tobra]

That wheel probably would have to be refinished to look good, is it just one wheel?

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Zeke

I imagine that wheel was pretty well loaded up with brake mung beforehand. I can offer this, if the detailer couldn't/wouldn't remove that then it's likely that the wheel finish will be damaged when you do find something that will eat it.

Normally a light acid is used, YMMV.

I have used Zep-A-Lume. It has acid in it. Cut it 5-1 in a spray bottle. Spray directly on spot. Rub with a rag then drown it with water. Repeat.

Drown with water fast is the key as if you let it sit it may dig into the aluminum.

Get it at a Semi supply story. Bummer is I have never seen anything smaller than a gallon. About $30.

http://images.zep.com/zepcorporate/tds/psr_1063.pdf

[996AE]

Seafoam makes a cleaner for brake dust. Wheels off and soak them Mine were worse and baked on brake dust came off.

I use it on my track wheels.

The other things that works is after cleaning Armoral makes a brake dust replellent that is great

[Tobra]

If you are putting harsh stuff on there, put some vaseline around it to protect the finish.

[Cooper911SC]

Mmmmm, embedded brake dust. Those wheels have seen some neglect.

I’m a pro detailer, going on 21 years now. The comments above are fairly accurate. Soak individual areas with a wheel cleaner and agitate with a stiff bristled nylon “toothbrush”. I’ll also add that a fingernail or appropriate medium density plastic scraper will help speed the process.

Once the bulk of it is off follow up by hand polishing with a mild polish.

In all likely hood some areas of the silver wheel finish will be damaged.

Cost wise if this vehicle came through my shop I would specifically quote cleaning the wheels based on an open ended hourly charge. You could easily spend an hour per wheel cleaning that off... BTDT

I would not expect that removed if it was a “Flat Rate” $150.00 job.

Cooper

[drcoastline]

Thanks for all the info guys.

So to clarify. This could very easily be a post in the "why does she" thread. I did not technically have the vehicle detailed, my wife did. My wife will vacuum the carpet in the house three four times per day but won't run the car through the car wash. Once or twice per month.

Two days ago she decides to load some of that chalk paint into the vehicle. For what ever reason she didn't put the lid on the paint and this happened.



Why are you putting a container of paint on a leather seat rather in the back? I guess for the same reason you put bags of mulch and stone on the leather seats rather than in the back? So she sends the car to the detailer. I am not satisfied with the job they did but they did get all the paint out.

So back tot he topic. I know I will need to agitate and probably scrape with a plastic or wood scrapper. I was just wondering if anyone had a product or technique that was better than the off the shelf products.

[javadog]

I'm going to say again, P21s. It's designed for frequent use but will do the trick on build-ups like that, if you give it time to work and add some mechanical abrasion. Cooper is right, a fingernail can be your best friend here.

Some of the other stuff mentioned above is a little caustic to a wheel, P21s won't hurt it.

https://p21s.com/

[cairns]

Xenit by Stoners. Just did this myself last week. Use a toothbrush if you need to.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by javadog

Some of the other stuff mentioned above is a little caustic to a wheel, P21s won't hurt it.

The Zep-A-Lume is nasty. One benefit is that it is fast. Probably not worth the risk.

[drcoastline]

Thanks guys, I'll try the P21. It's available at Autozone. Cairns if I need a fall back where can I get the Xenit? I have never heard of the stuff.

[Steve Carlton]

Maybe get a monthly subscription to a local, quality car wash for $50-60/month and your wife might use it often and you’ll get a good value. She won’t feel guilty spending $20-25 per wash and can stay ahead of that build up and have a clean car all the time.

[cairns]

Xenit's available at AutoZone and Walmart and gobs of places online. If you want a case here's the source:

https://www.stonercarcare.com/products/product/94213CSTON01/stoner-car-care

[cstreit]

Sonax is pretty darned amazing...

[Por_sha911]

P21s spray on wheel GEL is the way to go (not just the regular spray). It is ph balanced so not going to do damage.
Spray on a cool dry wheel, let soak for a minute, I use an old shower gel puff (the cheap plastic walmart kind)to lightly scrub the wheel and then rinse.

[eastbay]

I had great luck with denatured alcohol.