10-08-2024, 01:13 PM | #1 |
Enlisted Member
60
Rep 40
Posts |
Wheel Cleaning Recommendations?
I know there thread on this already but no matter how much i scrub or how much product i use i can never get my 825m clean like new. i even ceramic coated the rims (first day i got the car) as i heard so much about how bad the brake dust is on the car.
What do you guys recommend??? Last edited by Juice26; 10-08-2024 at 01:18 PM.. |
10-08-2024, 01:34 PM | #2 | |
Lieutenant
288
Rep 576
Posts
Drives: 2025 g82 m4
Join Date: Jul 2024
Location: MA
|
Quote:
|
|
10-09-2024, 06:11 AM | #3 |
Private
152
Rep 86
Posts
Drives: 2025 M4 Competition
Join Date: Jun 2024
Location: Southern California
|
Greetings,
First - get some brushes or make your own. The more you clean your wheels, the better you will get. I use Griot's Wheel Cleaner with a variety of brushes and hand micro fiber mits. Second, after (what I think) is a thorough cleaning...the next day, I use a ceramic rinseless wash to clean them again. This pretty much returns the wheels to original condition. And finally, yesterday I applied 303 Graphene Nano spray to my wheels for lasting protection - it was easy on and easy off, and leaves a helluva shine. You'll get better the more you do it...(like everything else in life). Semper Fi |
Appreciate
2
tracer bullet3827.50 John H.481.00 |
10-09-2024, 06:44 AM | #4 |
First Lieutenant
158
Rep 342
Posts |
Depending on your wheels. Brake dust on flat surfaces, even baked on, can easily be cleaned off using typical thioglycolicacid based wheel cleaner (the ones that turn purple and smell bad) and scrub with microfiber wash mitt and wheel brushes.
But the dust in tight corners and crevices is hard to fully clean since it accumulates and solidifies in big chunks. The only way is to clean these places frequently before they get worse. I am not sure how practical it is for you. It takes me about ~ 1hr to fully clean the rims, so it is very time consuming and tiring. I have used Adams' Wheel cleaner, Sonax Beast, Trinova wheel cleaner and honestly I cannot tell which one is noticeably better. They are all good on easy-to-clean places but suck at tight corners. Adams' Wheel & Tire cleaner is another product that's not based on TGA, but some review says it actually cleans better. I have yet to try. A more aggressive chemical is to acid based wheel cleaners. Strangely I couldn't find many products like this in the US, probably due to regulations. The acid attacks iron oxides and dissolves them much quicker. They are totally safe on clear coated wheels but can damage metal and metal oxide surfaces around. Be careful if you have to use them |
Appreciate
1
USMC G2152.00 |
10-09-2024, 08:27 AM | #5 | |
Major General
8363
Rep 7,481
Posts |
Quote:
NOT WORTH IT. As others have said, nothing like a good quality wheel cleaner, a bunch of tools and time. It takes me about 30 minutes to do all 4 wheels, which means I'm nearly an hour into the wash by that time (setting up pressure washer, getting out buckets, mixing the soap, etc.) |
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-09-2024, 08:52 AM | #6 |
New Member
9
Rep 5
Posts |
In my opinion, it's not that important which chemicals you use. It's more the frequency of cleaning that makes the difference. You'll always have brake dust, you can also reduce it by braking less. Otherwise, clean the rims more often.
I've been driving my BMW for a year and wash it regularly. My rims look like new. |
Appreciate
1
rmedina146.00 |
10-09-2024, 09:47 AM | #7 |
Colonel
1755
Rep 2,835
Posts |
I like Iron X. Safe enough to use anywhere, including paint, removes steel/iron and brake dust.
__________________
2006 Z4M Coupe - ZHP knob, stubby antenna, clutch delay delete
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-09-2024, 03:45 PM | #8 |
Second Lieutenant
413
Rep 217
Posts |
I was in the same boat as you until I found a combo that really works:
Armour wheel cleaner Yum wheel foam Good brushes. This is key after the cleaners. You need good brushes with good cleaners to breakup the sticky dust. |
Appreciate
1
USMC G2152.00 |
10-09-2024, 03:52 PM | #9 |
Major
743
Rep 1,489
Posts
Drives: X5M, M3 ZCP 6MT, MB E63 AMG
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Alexandria, VA
|
Why go thru this ritual, just change your OEM brake pads to carbon ceramic pads and be done with it. I did this years ago, and on my vehicles, and I can go weeks without cleaning. A little soap and water is all that is needed when it comes time to clean the wheels. No fuss or hassle.
__________________
It is never taken for granted that a commitment to speed and acceleration must be matched with an equivalent ambition when it comes time to stop!
|
Appreciate
1
John H.481.00 |
10-09-2024, 04:15 PM | #10 | |
Private First Class
73
Rep 156
Posts |
Quote:
I’ll get a picture at the weekend but it’s no where near that size |
|
Appreciate
1
USMC G2152.00 |
10-09-2024, 06:56 PM | #12 |
Private
152
Rep 86
Posts
Drives: 2025 M4 Competition
Join Date: Jun 2024
Location: Southern California
|
Rich76,
Most of those brushes are okay or too big...therefore, mistakes...the simplest is your fingers and microfiber. Semper Fi |
Appreciate
1
M-technik-32490.00 |
10-09-2024, 07:34 PM | #13 |
Private First Class
117
Rep 119
Posts
Drives: 2008 E91 ZSP
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Hi Desert, Ca
|
On Google Earth, I can see the brake pad stains in my driveway. Sonax full effect wheel cleaner is good, but there’s an odor that lingers after thorough rinses.
__________________
2008 E91, ARC-8, 255/40/17 NT01, ER sport cooler, TCK camber plates, coil-overs 400# front 700# rear, Koni SA shocks. M3 Subframe bushings, front + rear control arms, tension struts, strut brace. Quaife, Carbotech, Schroth.
|
Appreciate
1
ipilcher620.00 |
10-10-2024, 04:59 AM | #14 |
Private First Class
76
Rep 132
Posts |
I have been using Sonax for years. Works very well. Does have an odor. I just finished my most recent gallon and I was comparing prices with Adams and Griots. Sonax is the most expensive of the three. I picked up a spray bottle of the Griots Heavy Duty to try before I go after a gallon container again.
__________________
|
Appreciate
1
MaC-N54-E82580.50 |
10-11-2024, 01:37 PM | #15 |
Second Lieutenant
262
Rep 271
Posts
Drives: BMW Z4C 3.0si 3 pedal
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: MD
|
Tuga Alu-Teufel Spezial Special Aluminium Rim Cleaner 5 Litre Canister
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/gp/aw/d/B...b_b_prod_image |
Appreciate
1
chris7197607.00 |
11-02-2024, 04:21 PM | #16 |
Second Lieutenant
147
Rep 221
Posts |
I get a bottle of dawn powerwash, and remove 3/4 of the bottle.
I then fill the bottle with Adam's Polishes Iron Remover. Cleans great. The iron remover is safe on paint. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1 |
11-02-2024, 10:56 PM | #17 |
Private First Class
93
Rep 126
Posts
Drives: BMW X5 M50i Unicorn
Join Date: Jan 2024
Location: California
|
IK Pro 2 Foam Sprayer 64oz
Water 53 oz PS Brake Buster 7.7 oz Adam's Polishes Iron Remover 3.3 oz Agitation with a wheel brush. Normally, my pressure washer is enough. Going to go from OEM pads to Brembo Ceramic pads. Little less stopping powder, possible dust free.
__________________
2021 BMW X5 M50i Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-03-2024, 07:20 AM | #18 |
Major
743
Rep 1,489
Posts
Drives: X5M, M3 ZCP 6MT, MB E63 AMG
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Alexandria, VA
|
I have used carbon ceramics for years. And I can tell you that after the pads are fully bedded in, you cannot discern the difference in stopping power. But you will definitely see a noticeable difference when it comes to brake dust.
__________________
It is never taken for granted that a commitment to speed and acceleration must be matched with an equivalent ambition when it comes time to stop!
|
Appreciate
2
TheMidnightNarwhal2827.50 BruinMan92.50 |
11-04-2024, 12:06 PM | #19 | |
Second Lieutenant
50
Rep 217
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-07-2024, 12:52 PM | #21 |
Private
264
Rep 68
Posts
Drives: 2020 BMW 230i
Join Date: Feb 2023
Location: FL
|
Like what Yuille36 commented, frequent cleaning. I recently bought a set of after market wheels and ceramic coated them myself and of course there's brake dust build up but it does come off relatively easy even when I didn't wash the car for over 2-3 weeks. I have an pressure washer but use a regular garden hose and nozzle when cleaning the wheels, then pressure wash when it's time to do the car.
And what TheMidnightNarwhal commented, if your wheels are coated and you're having a tough time with brake dust build up issues something doesn't add up. Most here are not big fans of CG(Chemical Guys) products but I use their Diablo wheel cleaner and agitate with a brush and my wheels stay pretty clean(I wash frequently and dilute the cleaner so I have more of it which lasts much longer because you have to apply it liberally). Hope all the input everyone here commented will find you a solution. |
Appreciate
0
|
11-07-2024, 01:06 PM | #22 |
Major
743
Rep 1,489
Posts
Drives: X5M, M3 ZCP 6MT, MB E63 AMG
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Alexandria, VA
|
I just washed my M3 earlier this week after a two week period. Having coated wheels and carbon ceramic pads are a blessing when you have 666M wheels.
As these wheels with there honey-comb style design are a real pain to clean. But for me, just spraying them down gets rid of 95% of the dirt, and with a little wheel brush and some cleaner, they're dialed in.
__________________
It is never taken for granted that a commitment to speed and acceleration must be matched with an equivalent ambition when it comes time to stop!
|
Appreciate
1
Autoaddict412.50 |
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|