Brake matter etching onto wheels

[R4CK5]

Anyone else had issues with brake duster/matter etching onto their wheels? Best way to get it off as it's looks and feels rank.

I did have car-chem revo wheel cleaner before and that seemed to remove some of it with a LOT of effort but worked better than a standard wheel cleaner that's for sure. Any other recommendations for a decent strong cleaner that's safe to use?

TIA

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[SRGTD]

Sounds like you could have a combination of braking matter (pad dust, metal particles from the discs) embedded in the paint / powder coat / lacquer on your wheels, so I’d try decontaminating them. Normally an iron fallout remover such as Car Pro Iron X or Valet Pro Dragon’s Breath (there are other similar products) will work and should be safe to use on all types of alloy wheel. These iron fallout removal products have a very unpleasant smell - to say they stink would be an understatement, so always use in a an open, well ventilated area.

Iron Removers | Fallout remover

Iron Fallout Removers Iron Fallout removers have grown rapidly in popularity over the past few years. These products are designed to remove iron fallout & brake dust from paintwork and wheels. Iron Fallout removers are pH neutral and designed specifically to react with the iron making them

www.cleanyourcar.co.uk

If a fallout removal product doesn’t work, then you could try using a clay bar. They come in different grades, but I’d always start with a light grade clay first and if that doesn’t work, move up to a medium grade. Always use plenty of lubrication (a quick detailer product) when using a clay bar to prevent marring to the finish on the wheel.

If you’ve also got road tar deposits on your wheels (I get this sometimes - little black spots), then a tar removal product such as Valet Pro Citrus Tar and Glue Remover should get rid of them.

I‘d avoid using harsh acid based wheel cleaners at all costs as they can damage the finish on alloy wheels, and if you’ve got black plastic covers on your wheel bolts, some of these acid based learners will turn the black plastic to grey or white.

Once you’ve removed the contamination, apply a couple of coats of protection - a sealant or wax with high durability - and re-apply it every 2-3 months. Avoid future build up of brake material by washing your wheels every 10-14 days. That way, with regular washing and topping up the protection will make it more difficult for contaminants to ‘stick’ to the surface of the wheels in future.

 

[R4CK5]

Cheers for the reply. I've had fallout removers in the past (just finished my last bottle off) and you're right, they have a pretty pungent smell to them. I've got to say it helped but didn't get rid of it all so I will try some of tbe other remover you've mentioned and also clay bar if that still doesn't work.

Thanks again.

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[gresthom]

If your wheels are clear-coated, use an acidic cleaner like the Meg's Hot Rims Chrome Cleaner.

 

[SRGTD]

@R4CK5; you’ve not said whether your alloys have a diamond cut or painted / powder coated finish. If they’re Diamond cut, they’ll be clear-coated to protect the machined face of the wheel from the effects or road spray and salt spray.

Pretty much all detailing product manufacturers websites and detailing forums will advise against using acid based wheel cleaning products on diamond cut alloys as these products can degrade the clear coat over time, leaving it discoloured or taking on a dull, cloudy appearance similar to white worm corrosion. Prolonged use of strong acid based cleaning products on painted / powder coated alloys can also dull the surface over time.

 

[R4CK5]

@R4CK5; you’ve not said whether your alloys have a diamond cut or painted / powder coated finish. If they’re Diamond cut, they’ll be clear-coated to protect the machined face of the wheel from the effects or road spray and salt spray.

Pretty much all detailing product manufacturers websites and detailing forums will advise against using acid based wheel cleaning products on diamond cut alloys as these products can degrade the clear coat over time, leaving it discoloured or taking on a dull, cloudy appearance similar to white worm corrosion. Prolonged use of strong acid based cleaning products on painted / powder coated alloys can also dull the surface over time.

They are diamond cut, standard cupra wheels. I have bought some bilt hamber korrosol fallout remover so I will see how that clears things up.

As always, thanks for all the advice people

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