Harleyguy and Others,
I don't mean to get into an argument on this topic but I've been "chrome-dipping" my rims since I purchased an Audi GT Coupe Quattro with some nasty alloy rims in 1986. The chrome may in fact run "hotter" (I don't really know) but it is much slicker than alloy or brushed aluminum so the brake dust sticks less - that is all there is to it. If you let brake dust just "sit" anywhere it will do damage but I'm a wheel "nut" and ALWAYS keep my wheels clean. In my "experience" chrome is much more resistant to brake dust damage that the other wheel options but abuse is abuse. I also used Wheel Shields on that vehicle as you could barely see them through the spokes on that particular wheel and the brake dust issue was significantly better. It was prior to ceramic brake pads and is/was a "poor mans" out as you say and I took it and loved it. I did the same process on the original 1991 Lexus 250 I owned as well.
Several mechanics told me the Wheel Shields would "burn up" my wheels and the Audi mechanic at the dealership in 1986 refused to even mount them. The Wheel Shield website published studies on temperature effects to my satisfaction back then so I persisted. (Don't know what the website says now as I have not looked lately because I'm totally satisfied they work just fine and yes, someone doing studies on their own product has to be taken with a "grain of salt" - I agree.) In their defense, I ran Wheel Shields for close to 200,000 miles on those two cars combined (and I do have a lead foot) and never had a problem. The Lexus ended up with 250,000 miles on it at trade-in - in 2002 and the Audi has 80,000 miles and is in storage. Will they work on all cars? - I don't know. I also installed them on my Mom's Camry back then and they are currently on her 2006 Santa Fe. (She, at age 80, does not really care about her wheels but I do. I take care of all the maintenance and detailing and her girlfriends are jealous big time. LOL)
Anyway, once ceramic became available that solved my problem and I just replaced a pair of pads on my front end with 60,000 miles on them. I had a pair installed on my girlfriends RDX when it was brand new and they have 30,000 miles plus. The dealership told her that would void her "warranty" until I called Acura headquarters and had them tell the dealership that was BS. Her wheels look great. I don't know that much about the physics of the various products as I am not a mechanic - just a lowly surgeon. I had to find a mechanic who was even willing to put Wheel Shields on my cars back in the day and even now the ceramic issue gives many mechanics pause. (See above.) My mechanic is GM certified - in Detroit, and VW, Audi, Porsche certified - in Germany, all circa 1980 with all the requisite re-certifications until just recently when he retired. He still works on my cars and he said there was no problem in 1986 and says the same now. Do not know what brand he uses but there ain't no junk in my trunk.
The only reason I am relaying this information is because I do have 20 plus years experience with Wheel Shields and close to 15 years experience with ceramic brake pads. Perhaps I should have detailed my personal "experience" a litle better before telling someone not to listen to their mechanic - in that you are correct. I have not run any "studies" on the heat effects of those two products but those mechanics that told me "don't do it" in 1986 and again in the mid 90's when ceramics became generally available did not run any studies either. Ditto for the Acura knuckleheads that tried to browbeat my girlfriend. All I have is many years of positive results and a desire to help out El Syd on his brake dust question. If El Syd's mechanic does not agree then the discussion can end there. Frankly, I do not understand why ceramic is not standard equipment on all vehicles these days other than the cost factor as the automotive literature that I have reviewed shows them to be clearly superior on all fronts.
"Find something that works and use it often."
Best Regards,
Martin
