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Thread: Please help: VERY stubborn brake dust

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Toronto
    Posts
    1,720

    Default Please help: VERY stubborn brake dust

    Okay, so my Style 5 rims are back on after a year of storage and the car is fresh from the detailer.

    Foolishly, I neglected to clean off my summer rims before storing them for the winter. Now two of them have some caked-on brake dust that my detailer couldn't get off.

    It's on there really good. I can scratch it off with a fingernail, but all my detailer's potions and lotions failed to make a dent. He was using metal polish, which I explained to him was not ideal because the rims are clearcoated. But what is ideal? What will get this crap off?

    Thanks!
    .


    Jay Lebo - Toronto, Canada
    1990 BMW 535i
    5-speed conversion
    Lightened flywheel
    Sachs Suspension Kit
    E.A.T. Chip

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Cleveland, OH
    Posts
    1,279

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jay 535i
    Okay, so my Style 5 rims are back on after a year of storage and the car is fresh from the detailer.

    Foolishly, I neglected to clean off my summer rims before storing them for the winter. Now two of them have some caked-on brake dust that my detailer couldn't get off.

    It's on there really good. I can scratch it off with a fingernail, but all my detailer's potions and lotions failed to make a dent. He was using metal polish, which I explained to him was not ideal because the rims are clearcoated. But what is ideal? What will get this crap off?

    Thanks!
    Pressure washer maybe??? it could kill the clearcoat....
    If it cannot be fixed by the dremel or ducktape.. get out the sledge...
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
    I miss my e34

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Toronto
    Posts
    1,720

    Default

    I'm thinking the best thing would be something that will dissolve the brake dust.

    Is there anything that will do that without dissolving the wheel?
    .


    Jay Lebo - Toronto, Canada
    1990 BMW 535i
    5-speed conversion
    Lightened flywheel
    Sachs Suspension Kit
    E.A.T. Chip

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Cleveland, OH
    Posts
    1,279

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jay 535i
    I'm thinking the best thing would be something that will dissolve the brake dust.

    Is there anything that will do that without dissolving the wheel?
    soda??? isn't that suppost to clean everything?
    If it cannot be fixed by the dremel or ducktape.. get out the sledge...
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
    I miss my e34

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Boston & Attleboro MA
    Posts
    727

    Default

    If you find one, let me know, I've tried many things on that type of dust, but my thinking was that it stuck like that because the clear coat had deteriorated...
    Current
    2008 M5 6 Spd
    2000 Z3 2.8 5 Spd MSport
    2012 X5 35d Sport
    1995 540i 6 Spd
    1992 535i 5 Spd

    Former
    1995 530iA
    1986 635CSI 5 Spd
    2011 X3 2.8 MSport

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Toronto
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    Default

    The clearcoat may indeed have deteriorated.

    But like I said, I can scratch it off with my finger. So it's not IMPOSSIBLE to get off, in theory.
    .


    Jay Lebo - Toronto, Canada
    1990 BMW 535i
    5-speed conversion
    Lightened flywheel
    Sachs Suspension Kit
    E.A.T. Chip

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Lexington, Kentucky
    Posts
    2,561

    Default

    Autopia or Roadfly detailing forums may have an answer. I have used clay to remove brake dust in the past. However, it is a lot of work.
    Thanks,

    1995 525i Auto, M50TU 2.5L, EAT chip, 1/95 build, USA, 205/65/15 tires, ASC+T, HID, lumbar, EC Mirror, BMW Alpine 5 radio with BMW-Pioneer CD Changer, abt 236k miles, Oxford Green/Parchment

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Toronto
    Posts
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    Default

    Clay bar, hmm. I might try that.

    How 'bout this:

    http://www.autogeek.net/meg36wheelcl.html

    Except it says that it's too strong for uncoated aluminium, and my clearcoat is chipped in places...

    How 'bout a steam cleaner?

    This stuff looks good too, but will it work?

    http://www.topoftheline.com/32ozwheeltir.html

    There are tons of products that claim to remove stubborn brake dust, but I'd like to know what's worked well for other people on particularly stubborn brake dust.
    Last edited by Jay 535i; 04-19-2006 at 11:50 AM.
    .


    Jay Lebo - Toronto, Canada
    1990 BMW 535i
    5-speed conversion
    Lightened flywheel
    Sachs Suspension Kit
    E.A.T. Chip

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Posts
    193

    Default

    Carb cleaner works wonders, just becareful, it will also take off stick on weights without much trouble.
    94/540i/173k Miles original engine

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Hockinson, Washington
    Posts
    2,499

    Default

    Grow your fingernails out.
    Lowered with blue h&r(?) springs, Bilsteins, tint, 19# design 3 injectors, Dual Magnaflow
    southwest WA

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