There was a thread sometime last week but I can't find it and the search is down.

Anyway my superleggeras have got brake dust build up on the fronts. It looks like little spots of tar, but I'm assured it is brake dust. I've tried cleaning them with Wax Wizard's wheel cleaner and the brushes supplied. It cleaned them up a bit, but didn't get it all off by a long way. The pads are Mintex's - my Greenstuffs were much cleaner but I understand they are now not a recommended pad.

I recall someone saying try WD40, which I did, but that also didn't do much.

Anyone got any other ideas?

 

I got mintex pads on my AP brakes too. The wheels won't clean up properly. I think the best thing to do is just to clean it as good as possible for 2-3years and then have them refinished.

I've tried every possible cleaner too and it won't take it all away. Especially between the spokes on the outer edge of the wheel.

 

Try T-Cut its the best thing for getting brake dust off alloys,forget about wheel cleaners they never shift old baked in dust.

Zippy

 

Robman I use Wonderwheeels and a tooth brush on just the spots you mentioned with no problems, it is a good product to my thinking.
Good luck Roger

 

I think I may need to take the wheels off and spend some "quality time" cleaning them up using the methods suggested. I must have left them too long without a clean during winter - probably about 4 weeks - so that's a lesson to me.

Thanks for the tips.

r

 

I've used "Locktite Fast Orange" hand cleaner. Works a treat. Having said that I have OME pads at present.

Pat

 

Try a small spot of Brasso.

 

Brasso is the same as T Cut isn't it?

 

Be carefull "over using" products such as wonderwheels as a wheel repairer/finisher told me that over time it can dull the protective lacquer on the wheels ,advised use it to get off hard stuff and then seal with an ordinary car wax/polish.
Sandman.

 

I got some wheel acid from my local Scooby dealer which is much better than the stuff you buy in the shops. If you take the wheels off and use this with a light bit of wet and dry paper its spot on.

 

Wonder Wheels is definately the biz!

I pour it into a spray bottle and use that to cover the wheels. Wait 5 minutes or so, then use an old sponge, loads of soapy water and get tore in.

No sign of it dulling the shine of the alloy. I used it on my last motor for 3 years and the wheels still looked minted when I sold it.

 

Big thumbs up for Wonder Wheels here also... have tried many of the other brands and quite frankly they're crap! been using WW for 6 months now and havent seen any long term effects develop.

 

What you need to use is Wax Wizard Multiclean

Not aggresive and removes all the dust. Quite easily the best product and I have tried them all ( I think).

If you also have really bad contamination ( remember the DS 3000's ?) then use a clay bar for these areas.

 

I have tried the WW multiclean with a brush and it still doesn't remove the baked on crap from Mintex pads. I think it's also all down the side of the car -- maybe a visit from the WW himself is in order

 

Carl

The clay bar will remove all the contamination from the wheels and the paintwork

try one, you will be amazed

 

Cleaned mine with emery cloth (medium -fine)!! That soon shifted the crap!! & didn't damage any of the wheel trim as I only used it on the discs......

 

Its not a lot of help now but Preventitive measures in future do save all this agro

(WW has allways saved me from your above problem)

I actually remove my wheels once a month and clean inside and outside (inside is important as most of the crap runs from there after a normal wheels on clean)
good quality shampoo and the wax wizard them and they are allways perfect

Got a trolley jack and stands for xmas makes the above job easy

good luck

Phil"sad b4sterd that removes his wheels to clean them"Stephens





[Edited by phil_stephens - 1/26/2002 10:09:27 AM]