Help! Brake Rust on Wheels

[bigmackmiller]

Looking for some product, and technique recommendations. I recently had a brake caliper get stuck and fling metal and rust all over my driver side rear wheel on my truck, I have been using sonnax and letting it dwell several minutes and then agitating with a tooth brush and wheel brush to try to remove the heavy deposits, I am making some headway but the very heavy spots it seems to fail to cut through, does anyone have another product I should try to get through these tougher areas? Considered iron-x paste, snow foam, or gyeon iron remover let me know if there is anything else that would be better

 

[Eldorado2k]

You probably need to step up to something like this. Acid based wheel cleaners do better on stubborn brake dust.

 

[bigmackmiller]

You probably need to step up to something like this. Acid based wheel cleaners do better on stubborn brake dust.

Ok, have you done any testing with any of the acids? Safe on the clear coat?

 

[Eldorado2k]

Ok, have you done any testing with any of the acids? Safe on the clear coat?

Yea, I use Meguiars Wheel Brightener on every single wheel I clean. What’s the problem with using an acid based wheel cleaner? Of course it’s safe on clearcoat.

 

[Rsurfer]

I would try IronX before using an acid. IronX is as safe as Sonax, but stronger.

 

[Eldorado2k]

IMO It’s weak. None of those color changing cleaners can handle real baked on brake dust. Wheel Brightener is no guarantee, but at least it gives you a shot.

 

[bigmackmiller]

IMO It’s weak. None of those color changing cleaners can handle real baked on brake dust. Wheel Brightener is no guarantee, but at least it gives you a shot.

Ok, Just wasn’t sure if it was designed for chrome or bare aluminum vs the clear coat, I’ll give it a try

 

[Goonie75]

Yea, I use Meguiars Wheel Brightener on every single wheel I clean. What’s the problem with using an acid based wheel cleaner? Of course it’s safe on clearcoat.

Hey Eldorado2k... I have 3/4 of a gallon of the Wheel Brightener... is there a wheel you won't or I shouldn't use that cleaner on? I also use the Meguiars Tire and Wheel Cleaner but wouldn't mind using the brightener if it was cool for most wheels... I'm tho king those black wheels aftermarket that I see I'm big trucks or jeeps maybe... likr thus one. idk. Thanks buddy.

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[Rsurfer]

Don't use WB on uncoated aluminum wheels and any painted clear coated wheels that are pitted, as the WB will get under the paint and cause more damage. If you dilute WB you should be ok. It does work on all types of nasty wheels, but I rather play it safe and stay away from a acid.

 

[Rsurfer]

Yea, I use Meguiars Wheel Brightener on every single wheel I clean. What’s the problem with using an acid based wheel cleaner? Of course it’s safe on clearcoat.

Wow, Nitrile gloves, looks like a towel over your arms..hope your wearing a mask!

 

[howardm4]

Like I've said before, if you can afford to buy this week's hot new detailing product, you can afford $12 for a box of gloves. That looks like a sweatshirt, not a towel.

Spray up-wind and no real need for a mask but again, $20 gets you a good organic vapor mask and it really should be used for a bunch of the nasty chemicals we use.

 

[FUNX650]

Ok, Just wasn’t sure if it was designed for
chrome or bare aluminum vs the clear coat,

I’ll give it a try

•Meguiar's Wheel Brightener (D140):
http://www.meguiars.com/content/es/msds/D140 SDS.pdf


•I'm not a fan of this product!

-IMHO: the recognition, and understanding, of
the potential physiological risks/dangers that this
product's type of acid (and its fluoride ions) pose...
far outweigh—and is more important than—any of
its potential wheel cleaning/wheel damaging attributes.

- https://www.honeywell-hfacid.com/?document=hf-medical-book&download=1


Bob

 

[Eldorado2k]

Hey Eldorado2k... I have 3/4 of a gallon of the Wheel Brightener... is there a wheel you won't or I shouldn't use that cleaner on? I also use the Meguiars Tire and Wheel Cleaner but wouldn't mind using the brightener if it was cool for most wheels... I'm tho king those black wheels aftermarket that I see I'm big trucks or jeeps maybe... likr thus one. idk. Thanks buddy.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Autogeekonline mobile app

You shouldn’t use it on bare/polished aluminum because it’ll haze it. FYI any alkaline based wheel cleaner will result in the same outcome... Same goes for anodized uncoated wheels, but overall it’s pretty rare that you’ll come across some wheels you shouldn’t use it.. But remember, any wheel that an acid based wheel cleaner can screw up, an alkaline based wheel cleaner will screw it up just as bad.

Aftermarket wheels like these are totally safe to use Wheel Brightener on.

Don't use WB on any painted clear coated wheels that are pitted, as the WB will get under the paint and cause more damage.

My wheels are pitted, rashed, and exhibit minor peeling in some areas, [thx to the PO] Wheel Brightener doesn’t cause any further damage.

Those wheels on the Tacoma are also pitted in some areas. No negative effects from using Wheel Brightener to maintain them. I’d be interested to see what that damage you speak of looks like? Pics?

Wow, Nitrile gloves, looks like a towel over your arms..hope your wearing a mask!

I was actually wearing the gloves because I was outside restoring some plastic trim at the time, and it’s sort of messy.

I hope you’re wearing a mask when you’re using your alkaline based wheel cleaner too! Because according to the Chemtrac Hazard Rating, it’s just as hazardous to your health as the Wheel Brightener.

Megs D143

Megs D140

Like I've said before, if you can afford to buy this week's hot new detailing product, you can afford $12 for a box of gloves. That looks like a sweatshirt, not a towel.

Spray up-wind and no real need for a mask but again, $20 gets you a good organic vapor mask and it really should be used for a bunch of the nasty chemicals we use.

You sir are correct on all points.

•Meguiar's Wheel Brightener (D140):
http://www.meguiars.com/content/es/msds/D140 SDS.pdf


•I'm not a fan of this product!

-IMHO: the recognition, and understanding, of
the potential physiological risks/dangers that this
product's type of acid (and its fluoride ions) pose...
far outweigh—and is more important than—any of
its potential wheel cleaning/wheel damaging attributes.

- https://www.honeywell-hfacid.com/?document=hf-medical-book&download=1


Bob

Yada yada yada... For all that fear mongering you’d at least think it would be accompanied by a level 4 [extreme] hazard rating on the label.. But it’s not rated as extremely hazardous, it’s rated 3, same as alkaline based D143 Acid Free Wheel & Tire Cleaner. Are you afraid to use D143 as well?

Do you make sure to have a fire extinguisher by your side when doing a bit of window cleaning? Because according to the label, Megs D120 Glass Cleaner is a level 3 [High] fire hazard. Lets hope the fire department is on standby.lol.

 

[Finick]

I used wheel brightener on these wheels not long ago, and it took all of that caked on break dust off no issues.

I had gone over those before with some OTC megs stuff (name escapes me) that wouldn’t touch it.

Sprayed it with wheel brightener 4:1, let it dwell for 10-15 seconds, and scrubbed t all off no issue. It wasn’t even coming off like normal break dust, it came off in small chunks, was pretty neat.

Edit: i didn’t bother cleaning the barrels, since they probably haven’t ever been cleaned. The cars a 2007/2008 I think, so I figured it was best left alone.

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[TheSteelFoX]

Off topic, but working in a chemical factory, I can tell you level 3 are indeed quite nasty and take precautions. Danger comes from long term use as well.

 

[Eldorado2k]

Off topic, but working in a chemical factory, I can tell you level 3 are indeed quite nasty and take precautions. Danger comes from long term use as well.

*nods*

 

[Klasse Act]

I used wheel brightener on these wheels not long ago, and it took all of that caked on break dust off no issues.

I had gone over those before with some OTC megs stuff (name escapes me) that wouldn’t touch it.

Sprayed it with wheel brightener 4:1, let it dwell for 10-15 seconds, and scrubbed t all off no issue. It wasn’t even coming off like normal break dust, it came off in small chunks, was pretty neat.

Edit: i didn’t bother cleaning the barrels, since they probably haven’t ever been cleaned. The cars a 2007/2008 I think, so I figured it was best left alone.

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Cleaning the barrels would've been the ultimate test for Megs Wheel Brightener, opportunity wasted, especially with the wheels off

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[Finick]

Cleaning the barrels would've been the ultimate test for Megs Wheel Brightener, opportunity wasted, especially with the wheels off

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You’re not wrong. It’s my gfs sisters car, so I could probably pull one off someday and see what can be done


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[bigmackmiller]

Order some wheel brightener yesterday we will see if it works keeping my fingers crossed

 

[Rsurfer]

Order some wheel brightener yesterday we will see if it works keeping my fingers crossed

You can uncross your fingers, as WB is one of the strongest wheel cleaners on the market. I'm a firm believer of least aggressive first.