"New" tool in the battle against brake dust

andrew b

andrew b

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New to me (for this use, anyway), and I've never seen it mentioned here or on the various car and detailing forums in which I participate.

I've tried multiple things to easily remove brake dust. I hate brake dust on my wheels, but love the initial bite of BMW OEM pads. So I've treated wheels (current best solution, leftover Klasse SG, diluted 1:10), tried various clothes, MF wheel cleaning brushes, etc etc etc.

Before the unveiling, let me clarify: I'm talking about getting rid of dry dust in between washings. This tip is geared more for personal use as opposed to detailing other folks cars. My wheels are in very good shape, and are well-maintained. But as anyone who's driven (or detailed) a BMW knows, it takes only a drive around the block before shiny wheels have that coating of brake dust.

With that in mind, I present...
The Swiffer.

This little hand-held duster is all of $4.99 for the handle and 4 covers. Refill covers are even cheaper. The handle is light plastic, so it won't mar wheels. In my initial testing, I've found I can clean the dust off my wheels 4-5 times (all 4 wheels) using just one cover (flip the cover around so both ends are equally brake-dust embedded after the first couple cleanings).

They grab the dust, they don't just push it around like a dry MF does, and they don't turn it into nasty black sludge like can happen if you try to spray and clean. And the covers are disposable.

Haven't found a downside to using them yet....
Andrew
 
Sounds like a good idea to use for cleaning BMW wheels inbetween full details. I am going to first wax my wheels with wheel wax and if I dont like it I might step it up to DP Poli Coat to go along with this nifty little idea. Thanks for the tip.

Mike
 
I use a swiffer to dust the inside of my truck. It works great. I never thought of trying one on the wheels....
 
Opti Coat or Cquartz the wheels to keep the dust from clinging and embedding. I have opti coat on both my bimmers but you can get a sample size Cquartz here in the store. I'll pick up a swiffer this weekend as that should work well along with the coatings. Good find.
 
not sure how well they work but have heard baby wipes do the job too...
 
NewXJ said:
not sure how well they work but have heard baby wipes do the job too...
Click to expand...
Wow if they work on brake dust no wonder a baby cries when you try and use them to clean up a mess.We need someone to chime in on how rough baby wipes actually are .
 
NewXJ said:
not sure how well they work but have heard baby wipes do the job too...
Click to expand...

I tried the baby wipes...they make a mess if there is much dust, since it gets damp from the stuff on the wipes, you end up smearing it around. Also not sure what that stuff on the wipe does to any LSP you have on the wheels.

The swiffer is working great along with my post-wash treatment of spraying diluted Klasse SG (1:10) on and wiping off.

I just came back from a trip to Atlanta, about 750 miles round trip. No rain on the trip, but it rained 2 days in a row here once I got back. Wheels had a fair amount of dust build-up on them. I hadn't tried the swiffer after dirty wheels had been wet and dried again....but it worked just like it did the other times.

The swiffer cover will turn dark black after about the second time, but it keeps trapping dust. Eventually, you can tell it's "saturated", it will leave little lines of dust instead of picking it up. Then it's time for a new cover (after reversing it to use both ends evenly, of course!).
 
Harleyguy said:
Wow if they work on brake dust no wonder a baby cries when you try and use them to clean up a mess.We need someone to chime in on how rough baby wipes actually are .
Click to expand...

They really don't bother my Roids when wiping! So I would say fairly gentle! :D
 
Dr Oldz said:
They really don't bother my Roids when wiping! So I would say fairly gentle! :D
Click to expand...
I'm so glad you shared that special moment with all of us . I will have to remember that next time my boss starts in on me what to use to cool off .
 
bobble said:
Opti Coat or Cquartz the wheels to keep the dust from clinging and embedding. I have opti coat on both my bimmers but you can get a sample size Cquartz here in the store. I'll pick up a swiffer this weekend as that should work well along with the coatings. Good find.
Click to expand...

I'm using up about a half bottle of Klasse SG that's been sitting around...it's working great:

POST 1

POST 2 (with video)

Between the Klasse and the swiffer, I'm loving clean-almost-all-the-time wheels. It takes maybe 5 minutes to swiffer all 4 wheels clean.
 
Harleyguy said:
I'm so glad you shared that special moment with all of us . I will have to remember that next time my boss starts in on me what to use to cool off .
Click to expand...

U know me, Adam! Always happy to help a fellow forum member such as yourself out! Glad to help you out! :props:
 
Harleyguy said:
Wow if they work on brake dust no wonder a baby cries when you try and use them to clean up a mess.We need someone to chime in on how rough baby wipes actually are .
Click to expand...
Adam, my a@@ tells me Cottonelles arent rough!
 
i have used this same process for several weeks and was going to do a similiar post. you can also use the swiffer on paint surfaces with absolutely no micro marring. this is especially effective in tight cramped areas where a ca duster cant reach. i can only clean two wheels per buffer even after rotating the buffer though. the refills about 20 i think are dirt cheap at costco etc. they are also great on interiors. nice post brother. shows you dont have to spend mucho $ to get a job done.

budinsc
 
I've gotten marring from cleaning brake dust while using a QD/ONR and microfiber. IMO there is no safe way to clean brake dust without lots of water. While you won't get full on swirls you will dull the finish of the wheels after repeated long term use.

The brake dust repellents do work and improve things quite a bit, but I finally won the battle when I upgrade to Akebono pads. No more issues and the wheels stay clean for a long time.
 
sorry to push myself.. but quick spraying ironx will solve your problems, fast and easy.. without touch even.
 
Thanks for posting. I'm sold as I hate the dust that accumulates when I drive with windows open.
 
Harleyguy said:
I'm so glad you shared that special moment with all of us . I will have to remember that next time my boss starts in on me what to use to cool off .
Click to expand...

Adam, at least now you know where your boss' head's been at!!


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