Alloy wheels - gettting thick baked on brake dust off

Keith · 11th November 2006, 20:08

I have what appears to be 40,000 miles of baked on brake dust to remove!

Wonder Wheels is not coping What else is out there?

I have a steam cleaner, never tried it on wheels before and don't want to damage the lacquer is (careful) steam cleaning an option?

Zeb · 11th November 2006, 20:10

I suspect the wheels, or at least parts, get just as hot from the brakes...steam cleaning should be ok...

Ken · 11th November 2006, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

I have what appears to be 40,000 miles of baked on brake dust to remove!

Wonder Wheels is not coping What else is out there?

I have a steam cleaner, never tried it on wheels before and don't want to damage the lacquer is (careful) steam cleaning an option?

Trouble with steam cleaning is it cleans so well, if the wheels have not been touched for 40k the lacquer could be in a poor state just go very gently at first. On the other hand all the brake dust may have protected it you never know Keith. If wonder wheels don't touch it none of the cleaners are going to either so it looks like steam is your only option.

GreyGhost · 11th November 2006, 21:19

Wouldn't cost much to respray the wheels if they do look rough.
I badly kerbed all my wheels during the first few months of ownership. Once I had learned to park I engaged Chips Away to repair them. Kerbing damage repaired and complete respray of the outboard face £50.00 per corner. They looked like new when finished, with a 2 year guarantee. They still look brilliant. They did not need any major prepping as the were generally very good, that might make a difference to what a refurbisher will charge.

Paranoid Carlos · 11th November 2006, 21:19

In the past and if you have the time, taking the wheels off and soaking in wd40 overnight works wonders, you will use a full tin and it can be messy working it in with a brush, but I always went back to that when every other miracle liquid didn't work. When they are clean a good car polish keeps them shiney longer.

Used to bring up really old yellow/brown wheel trims (fords especially) up like new.

Zeb · 11th November 2006, 21:33

Fresh lemon juice is one of the best cleaners...it even takes off burnt crud from the bottom of a saucepan....

Pete · 11th November 2006, 22:54

Years ago I used to use a bleach and washing up mix - but I strongly recommend aginst using it these days as it can strip the lacquer very quickly and is potentially explosive.

I've more recently tried T-Cut, (which makes some headway against pitted brakedust) and I've seen comments that clay can help too.

crofts · 12th November 2006, 02:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

I have what appears to be 40,000 miles of baked on brake dust to remove!

Wonder Wheels is not coping What else is out there?

I have a steam cleaner, never tried it on wheels before and don't want to damage the lacquer is (careful) steam cleaning an option?

Don't think you have many other options Keith and depends on wheel style whether you will get into all the nooks & crannies 'cause I can't see you accepting half a job.
To be honest if the steam dosn't work 100% I can only see you will be happy with refurb. Mikes contact do a good job at a bargain price.
You could bust a gut trying to get them clean but I'd be surprised if they are perfect after hours of work

T-Cut · 12th November 2006, 13:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zebedeedooday

Fresh lemon juice is one of the best cleaners...it even takes off burnt crud from the bottom of a saucepan....

That's because it contains citric acid. Many alloy wheel cleaners contain hydrochloric acid, which cuts into the brake grime. I'd look for an acid based cleaner and spray/paint this on repeatedly till you get down to the laquer, then steam clean it all off.
TC

Keith · 12th November 2006, 21:21

Well I had a go with my Steam cleaner it might be great for getting wall paper off or removing grime from the cooker but it did not even make a dent in the wheels

I will try some WD40 on one and Lemon Juice on another
Wonder wheels is getting there slowly but it is not penetrating deeply enough.

11th November 2006, 20:08	#1
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	Alloy wheels - gettting thick baked on brake dust off I have what appears to be 40,000 miles of baked on brake dust to remove! Wonder Wheels is not coping What else is out there? I have a steam cleaner, never tried it on wheels before and don't want to damage the lacquer is (careful) steam cleaning an option?

11th November 2006, 20:10	#2
Zeb Banned MGZT V8 & ZTT 190+LPG Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 8,089 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I suspect the wheels, or at least parts, get just as hot from the brakes...steam cleaning should be ok...

11th November 2006, 21:19	#4
GreyGhost Banned 180+ Sport Auto Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bedford Middle Level Posts: 17,787 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 5 Posts	Wouldn't cost much to respray the wheels if they do look rough. I badly kerbed all my wheels during the first few months of ownership. Once I had learned to park I engaged Chips Away to repair them. Kerbing damage repaired and complete respray of the outboard face £50.00 per corner. They looked like new when finished, with a 2 year guarantee. They still look brilliant. They did not need any major prepping as the were generally very good, that might make a difference to what a refurbisher will charge.

11th November 2006, 21:19	#5
Paranoid Carlos Posted a thing or two Starlight CDT Conn SE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Erdington, Birmingham Posts: 1,057 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	In the past and if you have the time, taking the wheels off and soaking in wd40 overnight works wonders, you will use a full tin and it can be messy working it in with a brush, but I always went back to that when every other miracle liquid didn't work. When they are clean a good car polish keeps them shiney longer. Used to bring up really old yellow/brown wheel trims (fords especially) up like new.

11th November 2006, 21:33	#6
Zeb Banned MGZT V8 & ZTT 190+LPG Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 8,089 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Fresh lemon juice is one of the best cleaners...it even takes off burnt crud from the bottom of a saucepan....

11th November 2006, 22:54	#7
Pete Owners Club Director Rover 75 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sherfield-on-Loddon Posts: 4,872 Thanks: 137 Thanked 996 Times in 444 Posts	Years ago I used to use a bleach and washing up mix - but I strongly recommend aginst using it these days as it can strip the lacquer very quickly and is potentially explosive. I've more recently tried T-Cut, (which makes some headway against pitted brakedust) and I've seen comments that clay can help too.

12th November 2006, 21:21	#10
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	Well I had a go with my Steam cleaner it might be great for getting wall paper off or removing grime from the cooker but it did not even make a dent in the wheels I will try some WD40 on one and Lemon Juice on another Wonder wheels is getting there slowly but it is not penetrating deeply enough.