Brake dust removal tips

[Mr Ree]

Hey TS'ers

I have some Volk TE37 track rims that are in the preparation stage of Plast-dipping, and I was hoping some of you might have some good suggestions for the removal of ingrained brake dust/road grime.

I have tried extremely hard to remove it over the past week, everyday a different product/method, and unfortunately getting very poor results.

I bought a bottle of Wax and grease remover, which was suggested as the main product you need to use before applying Plasti-dip, but this isnt doing anything to the brake dust.

Next, I tried a various selection of polishes, which I had a fair amount of success with when I restored my CE28N's a few years back (hand polished back to brand new over 2 or 3 weeks), and TBH, they were extremely filthy too, not to mention covered in over spray, so Im guessing the difference is the brake compound material.

So I then tried petrol on a small area, and still, no dice.

Next up, Simple Green, as advised from 1,000,001 google threads, but not much of a result there either

Im not shy when it comes to spending rediculous amounts of time on things, so they come out as close to perfect as possible, so this isnt a case of trying to find the easiest way out with a miracle product, but Im all ears if you have any suggestions.

Thanks

[Grrrrrrr!]

Water blaster and clay bar?

[whynot]

I would try something like Jiff

[Mr Ree]

I hadnt considered using my water blaster to be honest...Im always quite cautious of WB's and cars, incase it strips back the paint/clearcoat/finish etc. I would have zero concerns doing this to the steelies on the Camry, but... Have you used one on this type of wheel before?

Without even trying, I know the claybar wont make a dent in it, as I used claybar on the CE28N's and it was only good for removing the over-spray. But I will still try again haha

Thanks for the suggestions,

[Mr Ree]

I would try something like Jiff

Cheers for that.

Ill carefully give it a go, given how abrasive it is, but none of my various polishes/compounds had any success.

[Grrrrrrr!]

Use a more agressive coumpound, if that has'nt had any effect then sandpaper/blasting + paint/powdercoat is probably the only answer.

[jondee86]

In another forum, far... far... away... Justin said this....

Export degreaser and a soft brush followed by hosing with a pressure
washer does wonders for getting baked on brake dust off of wheels for me.

If it doesn't work... blame Justin

Cheers... jondee86

[Mr Ree]

Ive used 6 different polishes/compounds and tbh, I cant see a more aggressive compound working.

Sanding isnt really a consideration at the moment, mainly due to the fact that the whole point of the plasti-dip was that I can return the wheels to their original appearance once the dip starts looking tatty.

Im going to try your WB suggestion next week, and will report back with my results

Jondee86, thanks for that, but sadly, this is far beyond the ability of degreaser

[Bling]

I've just used SCA degreaser spray cans in the past, then a tooth brush. Not many options when trying to clean Advanti Stilettos. Is it engrained into pits on the wheel surface or is it smooth?

[Crucible]

Hey mate,

Have you considered brakleen?

The CRC blaster stuff is the best IMO and will take grease/brake dust off rotors without the use of a rag etc. If you need something more potent go with the Prestone brakleen, really toxic stuff!

[Mr Ree]

I've just used SCA degreaser spray cans in the past, then a tooth brush. Not many options when trying to clean Advanti Stilettos. Is it engrained into pits on the wheel surface or is it smooth?

I have some here so will give that a go, just to try it out. The wheels are 13 years old, so definitely engrained into the pits

Hey mate,

Have you considered brakleen?

The CRC blaster stuff is the best IMO and will take grease/brake dust off rotors without the use of a rag etc. If you need something more potent go with the Prestone brakleen, really toxic stuff!

Hey mate,
I havent tried Brakleen yet, actually. Its starting to get expensive buying all these products lol

Ill pick some up on my way out to work on my car tomorrow, as I think repco is having a 25% off sale

Thanks guys

[Bling]

Yeah brake clean is heaps more than the degreaser. It's better though, so will be a case of seeing the minimum that works. I don't waste my brake cleaner on wheels that's for sure.

[ch4ng]

Head to your local car groomers/ panelbeaters supplies shop.

Tranzbrite.co.nz do a product called Hot Rims which I've used with great success in the past. It's concentrated so you can water it down for normal wheel cleaning in the future.
http://www.tranzbrite.co.nz/4922.html
or for something stronger

Pacer.co.nz do a product called "Supa-Rip" This is an amazingly strong degreaser and cleaner. Caution is advised with this one though. Don't let it sit on your paintwork for too long or it can stain/damage it. (30 sec is usually enough so do small portions at a time.
http://www.pacer.co.nz/shop/product_inf ... a02ab4638b

Tranzbrite also supply an equivalent they call "Monsta-Rip" so go for whichever is more cost efficient. You can buy them in 4L, 20L or 200L

[Mr Ree]

Thanks, Chang.

Ill see how I get on with the other methods first, before getting the wallet out again, but I appreciate the info

[jbod]

I would try something like Jiff

+1 on jiff. Had excellent results after not washing wheels for 2 years.

[JZCrazy]

Have just cleaned up a set of TE37s. Yesterday.

Washed in hot soapy water with a stiff brush to remove excess dust.
I used Chemico (the pink stuff in the pink tub) with a tiny amount of water and 00 steel wool. Jif might be similar
Took about 3 hours per wheel. Don't rub too hard for too long. Take your time.(sore fingers)
I did try brakekleen but it seemed to make things worse.

The problem isn't the brake dust but what is under it, tar spots. a right kent to remove.

[Mr Ree]

Im never that aggressive with cleaning things, especially anodized metal.

With everything I detail, I always try and go from the least aggressive point and work my way up, as once you use steel wool, the wheels are covered in micro-scratches from the wool, they will soak up dirt far easier in the future

Where did you get the Chemico from please, Evan?

[JZCrazy]

Chemico is/was available from any supermarket. I have had it sitting around for a while.
The 00 steel wool is the finest stuff, yeah rub to hard and it takes the top of the anodising of.
Might need to buy a can of bronze spray. (Me).

[Mr Ree]

The Volk colour is quite hard to find from memory, but I remember visiting a site that sold it for refurbs.

Ill have a dig and see what I find

[RobertC]

if the stuff is that ingrained into the surface its probably pretty stable so why not just put the plasti dip over it..?