Yet another BMW Brake Dust Thread

courtdale

courtdale

New member
Joined
Aug 25, 2011
Messages
427
Reaction score
0
Posted about these really nice 159's I picked up a little while ago and what great shape they were in for the price. I posted that before I turned them over... I sweatr this stuff is 1/8th of an inch thick:



I dove in testing the monster out with Griot's Wheel Cleaner and a light wheel brush. I swear the wheel formed an evil grin and laughed at me in a malevolent mocking tone. Rinsed and moved up to an undiluted APC (Purple Power). I didn't let it dwell very long because I was a little worried about letting it stay on the coated portions of the wheel. After 2 hours of work:



The wheel brush wasn't making any more head way at this point, I moved on to a fine grade steel wool and Purple Power. After 3 hours of work:



Looking much better at this point, but not perfect. My goal is/was getting them spotless so I could coat/wax them before they went on the car. Luckily I'm not in a hurry. Questions:

1. What the @#$% can I do to reduce the time spent on this? Let the APC dwell? More abrasive wool? Different product?

2. What can I do to get these last few stubborn spots out? Wet sand?

Wow this sucked, and I have 3 more to go. :doh:
 
I would say those last spots have probably eatin into the coating of the wheel, thats why they won't come out. If thats the case I would say theres almost nothing you can do except live with it or remove the finish of the wheel in those spots. If you have Meg's Wheel Brightener I would try that.
 
any 1 of these 3 products will help cut the time down.

Iron X Iron Remover, CQuartz IronX, Paint Cleaner, paint decontamination
SONAX Wheel Cleaner, all wheel cleaner, chrome wheel cleaner, aluminum wheel cleaner, full effect wheel cleaner
Meguiars Wheel Brightener is a professional grade wheel cleaner for factory coated wheels! Meguiars wheel cleaner and brightener makes coated wheels

all 3 are well worth the purchase for what you're dealing with there.
from your description, use your favorite APC and a brush to help get rid of some of the loose particles, let the wheels dry completely, then follow it with one of the 3 cleaners above and a bit of scrubbing.

you will be impressed!
chris<pixelmonkey>:D
 
Sounds good considering the Iron X bogo is on its way. I have some Megs all-Wheel as well, not sure if its the same product that is being suggested but I'll give it a shot.
 
I totally forgot about IronX. I would try that for sure!

Sent from my DROID Pro using Tapatalk
 
instead of wet sanding(you will likely strike threw) try compound with a terry cloth towel. Or try compound and a wheel polisher attachment. if 0000 steel wool wasn't cutting it, then try 00. or try a stiffer brush, you may swirl it up, but you will never be able to tell and you can always compound afterwards.

if you want the wheels to stay really clean then try opti coat 2.0, much longer protection over wax.
 
weavers said:
instead of wet sanding(you will likely strike threw) try compound with a terry cloth towel. Or try compound and a wheel polisher attachment. if 0000 steel wool wasn't cutting it, then try 00. or try a stiffer brush, you may swirl it up, but you will never be able to tell and you can always compound afterwards.

if you want the wheels to stay really clean then try opti coat 2.0, much longer protection over wax.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I will definitely up the steel wool grade and try the compound if the next one is as difficult. I was asking about coatings when I was discussing the face of the wheels a little while ago, but settled on wax for the at the time. After spending the time on these wells, I've realized I'm not going to be able to maintain them like the faces and should probably give them something more permanent like an Opti-coat or C-quartz. I feel another order coming on... grr could have had free shipping if I tossed this on it on friday!
 
I have a bottle of PB Spray and Rinse Mike referred to. IIRC he said it is stronger than the Megs. Iron X is on standby.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
 
courtdale said:
Sounds good considering the Iron X bogo is on its way. I have some Megs all-Wheel as well, not sure if its the same product that is being suggested but I'll give it a shot.
Click to expand...

It's called Wheel Brightner. You will thank us for recommending this product. It's an acid so take all the precautions.
 
lol on my 1989 BMW... Brown Royal laughed at the wheel dust. You soak it in the stuff and then get one of those green bristle brushes in there just going up and down along the rim
 
Having two BMW's I spend more than enough time tackling copious amounts of brake dust and Iron-X is my best friend...I typically let Iron-X dwell for a bit...just don't let it dry in the sun.
 
Rsurfer said:
It's called Wheel Brightner. You will thank us for recommending this product. It's an acid so take all the precautions.
Click to expand...
werd.

Meguiars Wheel Brightener

Iron-X gets used on paint for me. If the wheels don't come clean with APC, just use the WB and be done. Plus it is a lot cheaper than any of the other alternatives.

DLB
 
In fact, seeing your pictures posted above reminds me of this set of wheel I did on an F450 Dually - these were the inside of the front wheels, but got rotated around to the back.

Meg's WB in action!

Before:
IMG_20110722_205755_copy.jpg


First Wash with a soft wheel brush - no dwell time:
IMG_20110722_210009_copy.jpg


Second Wash with a soft wheel brush - about 15 seconds dwell time (I am impatient sometimes):
IMG_20110722_210230_copy.jpg


Finished - three quick brush washes, about 5 minutes spent total on the wheel.
IMG_20110723_153624_copy.jpg


The center is where the paint is gone and it is rusted.

Nothing else in my arsenal (which is about 4 or 5 different "wheel cleaners, 4 or 5 degreasers, and other various cleaners) would even come close to doing that.

I've actually got to go pick up that truck today and detail it. It is on a maintenance plan though now, so its a breeze by comparison. Still huge.

DLB
 
Not to get off-topic, but why don't the BMW owners consider buying different brake pads?
 
DLB said:
Sorry Ron - I forgot I was quoting an old guy. :D

Usually I will take the time to find one of these guys:
werd.gif


DLB
Click to expand...

You rednecks make up your own words.:laughing: Your right about being old.:cry:
 
@SRTSean

I've owned 4 BMW's over the last 19 years and have changed out pads for a myriad of different ones, EBC(all colors), Cool Carbons, AKEBONO etc and most that provide low dust also do not provide the same stopping power or modulation that the stock pads on stock rotors supply. I have changed rotors as well and the best combo I have found were StopTech plain rotors with AKEBOBNO pads, A little less dust and same if not better brake characteristics. Only downside the price of that combo. So I keep going back to stock(do not track the car so need for more brakes) as I can get those fairly cheap. I opti coated my wheels and just wash them frequently. What the OP showed were probably wheels that were never removed or cleaned from the inside out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top