Worst Case scenario for Brake Dust! Need Advice

[IH8SPM]

Contrary to popular belief, Wheel Brightener isn’t all that effective in cases where you’re dealing with years and years of baked on brake dust. It excels as a maintenance wheel cleaner, where if used with a power washer can be used as a touchless way to clean most OEM wheels.

But when up against what OP is dealing with you better be ready to put in some work as far as the brushing because you’re going to be there for a while and probably won’t get it completely clean.

When dealing with the super max caked & baked wheels you need something like Brown Royal or even that Auto Fanatic wheel cleaner used at maximum strength [since he claims it’s near or as effective as Brown Royal... I’d have to see it to believe it]

-Almost 20yrs. of baked on brake dust.

Even with full access, Wheel Brightener couldn’t get it fully clean. Try to do this with the wheel on the car and you’ll be scrubbing for maybe an hour or more.

Meanwhile Brown Royal. Spray, dwell, quick scrub...

Completely clean in 1 quick scrub & rinse.

And if Wheel Brightener can’t do it, that means there’s no way the Sonax Wheel Cleaner can. There’s videos proving it can’t handle real baked on brake dust.

@OP. If you want to get an idea of what Wheel Brightener can do, pick up a bottle of Meguiars Hot Wheels Chrome Wheel Cleaner. It’s basically the OTC version of Wheel Brightener and its safe on clearcoated OEM wheels.

Wow. Those wheels came out looking incredible .

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[Eldorado2k]

I know we’re not supposed to mention outside products, but this is like my 1 exception because there’s nothing that works quite like it.

 

[fly07sti]

BR was a game changer for me. Thanks Ric for pointing me towards it. I’ve been through at least 15 gallons of it.

 

[Bill D]

Wow! 15 gallons! I’m assuming BR falls into that elusive miracle product category then!

 

[fly07sti]

Wow! 15 gallons! I’m assuming BR falls into that elusive miracle product category then!

Without a doubt! I also use it for decon/bugs, etc at 1:1 or 2:1. One of the best features of it is that when used on plastics, ie wheel liners. It just leaves them looking clean. Doesn’t leave them with that gray/whitish oxidized look from a strong degreaser or APC.

 

[Klasse Act]

I believe the initials are RB guys

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[spazzz]

Great post Eldo!!
Now I need some.
I always forget about your epic BR post.

Was the BR full strength?
And how does it work on tires?

 

[Rsurfer]

I believe the initials are RB guys

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Brown Royal

 

[TheLearningMechanic]

Wow, those Rims are incredible with that Brown Royal.

So far the notes I have been taking are start small and see what happens:

First I'll gather my materials, 1. soft scrub brush 2. microfiber towels, and 3. cleaners (which may take a few days)

Out of the cleaners I will start with Meguiar's Ultimate Wheel Cleaner (I know its weak but Meguiar's told me to start with that), then Hot Rims Wheel Cleaner, and lastly Brown Royal.

From everything said, I should hold off on Wheel Brightner and Sonax until trying the others.

 

[TheLearningMechanic]

Oh, and a sealent for after the wash

I Really do appreciate the knowledge pool of information

 

[Eldorado2k]

Great post Eldo!!
Now I need some.
I always forget about your epic BR post.

Was the BR full strength?
And how does it work on tires?

Yes full strength.

It can be diluted up to 8:1 and @4:1 it behaves alot like good wheel & tire cleaners, however for what it’s capable of doing I feel like it’s a disservice and almost a waste to dilute it.

Just imagine what Wheel Brightener would be able to do if used straight undiluted.. That’s what it feels like. Unfortunately WB isn’t recommended to be used straight and with so many health warnings I doubt if anyone would even dare trying that. BR on the other hand is a non acid cleaner.

Yes, it’s supposed to be equally great at cleaning tires, but I’ve never used it on the tires because Megs D143 is cheaper and I use that.