Stubborn brake dust. Help!

[V50 Craig]

Hi guys does anyone have any tips on how to remove brake dust off the wheels? I've tried all sorts of brake dust removers and wheel cleaners both cheap and expensive, some really harsh chems and scrubber brushes both soft and hard and it won't budge. Would getting say a sanding attatchment for a drill or something just damage the wheels? They could do with refurbing anyway but I just want them clean without going down the refurb route

[Pidgeonpost]

Have you tried "Dragon's Breath" by ValetPRO? I haven't used it on our current car, but I found it very effective on other family cars. It smells truly disgusting, but the smell soon goes once you wash it off.
I'd be wary of using anything abrasive on the wheels in case it roughened the surface and provided a key for more brake dust.
The wheels on our V70 are pretty scruffy, but I'm undecided on whether to get them refurbed or keep an eye open for a decent used set.

[Tannaton]

I’ve used cement cleaner in the past… fairly cheap from builders merchants.

Always read the label….. :-)

[andy_d]

Originally Posted by V50 Craig

Hi guys does anyone have any tips on how to remove brake dust off the wheels? I've tried all sorts of brake dust removers and wheel cleaners both cheap and expensive, some really harsh chems and scrubber brushes both soft and hard and it won't budge. Would getting say a sanding attatchment for a drill or something just damage the wheels? They could do with refurbing anyway but I just want them clean without going down the refurb route

a list of what you have tried may help

AutoGlym "magma" May help
Autoglym "custom wheel cleaner kit" may help

if non get it all off,


something like that May help,, cheap acidic wheel cleaner ,, DO wear the appropriate PPE,, acid / hands/eyes/face = not fun > A&E trip ....

[Ashmere]

Mr Muscle oven cleaner.

[Ulrikas PA]

If you've tried all that stuff, it sounds like it's got into the fabric of the wheels, so you will be back to square one fairly soon. Repaint and relaquer when affordable.

If you can remove it again, try one of the alloy wheels sealant sprays afterwards to keep it at bay a bit longer.

[x11]

Autobrite direct sell a product called purple rain. It is a fallout remover that will turn deep purple once it has done it's work. You will need a power washer to take it off and maybe a few applications. It can also be agitated with an old brush. If this does not work they also sell a product called very cherry acid. While I would normally only use ph neutral products however if your wheels are already in a bad condition this is probably not going to do much more damage to the lacquer.
There are a few companies out there doing refurbs for around £50 a wheel.

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by andy_d

a list of what you have tried may help

AutoGlym "magma" May help
Autoglym "custom wheel cleaner kit" may help

if non get it all off,


something like that May help,, cheap acidic wheel cleaner ,, DO wear the appropriate PPE,, acid / hands/eyes/face = not fun > A&E trip ....

I use bolt hamber and also like autoglym.

However I have used wonder wheels and even today it is the strongest cleaner ever!

Don’t get it into cuts or on skin etc as you will know about it (normal skin washed off is not bad).

If WW doesn’t shift it I doubt anything will…

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Ulrikas PA

If you've tried all that stuff, it sounds like it's got into the fabric of the wheels, so you will be back to square one fairly soon. Repaint and relaquer when affordable.

If you can remove it again, try one of the alloy wheels sealant sprays afterwards to keep it at bay a bit longer.

washing the wheels regularly like every week is the way to keep it at bay and not leaving the car unused for a week at a time as all that rust dust will be released on to the wheel the first time you press the brake .

[andy_d]

Originally Posted by XC90Mk1

I use bolt hamber and also like autoglym.

However I have used wonder wheels and even today it is the strongest cleaner ever!

Don’t get it into cuts or on skin etc as you will know about it (normal skin washed off is not bad).

If WW doesn’t shift it I doubt anything will…

bilt hamber
https://bilthamber.com/product/auto-wheel/
or
https://bilthamber.com/product/korrosol/

very similar to the Autoglym ones and Both very good products in there own rights. you will find the same from almost all major car cleaning/detailing brands, most are "ph neutral" and do a good job, yet there are times when an acid Or alkaline cleaner is needed for Certain tasks/levels of grime.