hawk pads ruined my wheels??

T77911S · 03-20-2015, 08:47 AM

I just put hawk pads on. Now I can't get this last bit of baked on brake dust off. Never had this problem with the cheap mintex pads.
Any ideas on what to use.

There was this INCREDIBLE wheel cleaner back in the 90s. Wasn't watered down like the junk is now. You. Really has to be careful with that stuff or it would ruin your wheels.
I heard too many kids drank it and they had to water it down like the rest.

KTL · 03-20-2015, 09:44 AM

Yep. Some brake pad compounds are corrosive and turn to what seems like concrete when the dust gets wet.

Ferraripete · Ferraripete's Garage

keep in mind that in sintered metal or composite pads, when used in anger, the dust comes off hot and will bake into your wheels. I have seen it happen ever since the advent of the PFC Carbon Metallic compound came to market.

Matt Monson · 03-20-2015, 10:14 AM

I don't run Hawk on my Porsches but have them on my Subarus and track the cars. I've never had this issue. I wonder if it is related to you exact wheel and it's particular alloy composition. Just thinking out loud.

Ferraripete · Ferraripete's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

I don't run Hawk on my Porsches but have them on my Subarus and track the cars. I've never had this issue. I wonder if it is related to you exact wheel and it's particular alloy composition. Just thinking out loud.

mostly happens to wheels that have a clear coat. the material tends to attack that surface. I did quite a lot of friction material testing in 1989-91. this was a time when the non-asbestos friction compounds were coming into play in the racing world. the ferodo 2459 and ds-11 never had the problems as cited by the op.

cmcfaul · cmcfaul's Garage

I ran Hawk Blue's once. Worked well on the track but the dust was riduclous. Think I used a razor blade to scrape the crap off.

Much better pads that dont have this problem are available. Performance Friction is one.

Chris

KTL · 03-20-2015, 11:29 AM

With any performance pad you need to be diligent about wiping off the dust after your event. If they get wet and then dry w/out being wiped off, the stuff turns rock hard and does not want to come off the wheels. Not just clear coated surfaces. Plain unfinished aluminum (inner halves) and polished outer halves both fall victim to the problem.

T77911S · 03-23-2015, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmcfaul

I ran Hawk Blue's once. Worked well on the track but the dust was riduclous. Think I used a razor blade to scrape the crap off.

Much better pads that dont have this problem are available. Performance Friction is one.

Chris

these are the blues. guess its time to pull them off.

AVIMAX · 03-23-2015, 04:38 AM

Try Iron X wheel cleaner. The stuff smells bad, but is very effective. I used in on some old winter rims that had gone yellow after 8 years of winters with little washing and they look like new again. Just spray on, let soak, a little rubbing if necessary and rinse.

KTL · 03-23-2015, 05:49 AM

Hawk Blues (also known as 9012 compound) are notoriously hard on rotors. So in addition to the actual pad dust, you've got some considerable iron material on the wheels. I know some people who keep a set of blues on hand to clean their rotors when installing new pads. They claim it helps the new pads bed-in. I'm not too skeptical of that since the blues are definitely rotor eaters.

VFR750 · 03-23-2015, 07:59 AM

The hawk blues are pretty bad for dust. If you let the dust get wet, it will bond to paint and stuff.

Tough to avoid on a wet track day. I'd end up with this orange film on the sides of the car.

Stopped using blue and went to hawk black pads. Much nicer, but should not be used on the street, as they have reduced grip when cold.

Matt Monson · 03-23-2015, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferraripete

mostly happens to wheels that have a clear coat. the material tends to attack that surface. I did quite a lot of friction material testing in 1989-91. this was a time when the non-asbestos friction compounds were coming into play in the racing world. the ferodo 2459 and ds-11 never had the problems as cited by the op.

Thanks for that. I'm learning something.

cashman · 11:14 AM

I've had some success using either a copper brillo scrubby (used for pots and pans so you don't scratch the surface) or a plastic version. Use your favorite brake dust cleaner ( none of them work great for the crusted on stone) and proceed with caution. My idea is not responsible for your rims

. I've used it on my Fuchs. It was the only way I could get it off.

VFR750 · 03-23-2015, 09:55 AM

The build up of used hawk blue dust, on the inside of the rim, was the worst. Needed to grit blast it off.