Use of wheel cleaners and protectant

[AZpolisher15]

When using wheel cleaners, is it important to keep it off the brake components? Or can you just go ahead and spray all over everything down there???

Recently when applying DG 253 (tire and rubber dressing) to my tires, my brakes were really sticky for about the first ten minutes of driving (the day after application). I did mask, but not well enough I guess.

 

[GSKR]

Depends on the car, acid based cleaners will discolor or etch the calipers and rotors as well as caustic all purpose degreaser,but it should not make your brakes somewhat inoperable for ten minutes unless rotors and calipers are drenched with water and makes a little grinding noise which will fade out 10 feet of moving the car.

 

[AZpolisher15]

Depends on the car, acid based cleaners will discolor or etch the calipers and rotors as well as caustic all purpose degreaser,but it should not make your brakes somewhat inoperable for ten minutes unless rotors and calipers are drenched with water and makes a little grinding noise which will fade out 10 feet of moving the car.

Yup that's what it was- a bit of a grinding sound when I hit the brakes the first few times during the short trip to the grocery. It was after applying the DG tire protectant (not a cleaner).

But thanks for the heads up on the cleaner. I see all these guys on here using that tire cleaner that changes colors if certain contaminants are present. I was just wondering if I have to be careful applying. It looks like some folks just spray it all over down there. But my rotors and calipers are all visible. If I sprayed like that, they'd be drenched. I didn't know if the intent was to include the calipers/rotors or not.

 

[SKorch630]

Would be a good practice to cover the rotors if possible. If you're able to take the wheels off and clean them, do it. Then cover the rotors and caliper.

 

[FUNX650]

Be cautious:

There are many different materials used in the
manufacture of braking components...some of
which are very susceptible to incurring damage
from being exposed to many wheel/tire cleaners.



Bob

 

[AZpolisher15]

Be cautious:

There are many different materials used in the
manufacture of braking components...some of
which are very susceptible to incurring damage
from being exposed to many wheel/tire cleaners.



Bob

Great info, guys. Thanks much. I'll approach with more caution!

 

[ScottB]

Use a good, safe wheel cleaner like P21S. Consider coating wheels with something like G-techniqs Wheel Armor. Once done, only car wash soap is needed for cleanup for about a year !

 

[AZpolisher15]

Use a good, safe wheel cleaner like P21S. Consider coating wheels with something like G-techniqs Wheel Armor. Once done, only car wash soap is needed for cleanup for about a year !

Thanks- can you tell me what you mean by a "good, safe wheel cleaner"? What does P21S do or not do compared to others?