Brake dust, ugh.

[kellyyysayss]

So, thanks to the previous owner, I have quite a bit of baked on brake dust. I've scrubbed a great portion off of what it used to be (and used purple power).

I need to know how to get the baked-on stuff off. Seriously, the best stuff to get it off! I like my wheels shiny.

Please, nothing too costly. I'm a college girl. Thanks!

[D2Beetle]

Read this thread...

[kellyyysayss]

Thanks! I'll try that today/tomorrow and see what happens.

[kellyyysayss]

Takes it off with a lot of arm work. There are scratches under the dust. Help?

[D2Beetle]

Originally Posted by kellyyysayss

Takes it off with a lot of arm work. There are scratches under the dust. Help?

There two types of Lime Away, regular, which looks like water, clear no color and the industrial, clear green liquid; use the industrial. I put some on a tooth brush like you would toothpaste and brushed the rims; I would then wait 3-5 minutes (5-10 for really bad areas) and then rinsed/brushed it off. Worked like a charm, with little arm work.

The only thing you can do about the scratches, is repaint.

[kellyyysayss]

Ah that was the problem. I'm taking it to a detailer on Saturday to do for free. What paint should I use?

[D2Beetle]

Originally Posted by kellyyysayss

Ah that was the problem. I'm taking it to a detailer on Saturday to do for free. What paint should I use?

Honestly I do not know, I have yet to repaint any of mine. A while back I did read a thread where someone did do it, you will have to search for it. They even posted pics.

[wawalker]

I've had good luck with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponges and regular old water/car wash soap mix. Again with the elbow grease though...

[kellyyysayss]

Originally Posted by wawalker

I've had good luck with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponges and regular old water/car wash soap mix. Again with the elbow grease though...

I've tried everything. It's coming down to some acid today, as my detailer does it....
If he shows up...been waiting for 25 mins...

[Opelmania]

I had brake dust all over the side of my car and in the door jam from my po's neglect. The passenger side rotor only had the back side left. She disintegrated the outside and worn down the fins to next to nothing. I used Easy Off Oven Cleaner on both the paint on the car and the rims. Works wonders. I used to detail and my buddy still details and I never heard of the Easy Off method, but he used it plenty of times. He and I wet sanded and buffed my entire car. Try the Easy Off. Not much elbow grease involved. Let it sit on there for about 5 minutes and then wipe it down.

[kellyyysayss]

I understand what you're saying. This is caked on brake dust, or maybe some kind of tar? It seriously will not come off. :\
My detailer never showed up so I'll find another one to use Apex buster on it I guess.

I'm tired of throwing my money away at chemicals that will not work.

[Oh Randi]

Originally Posted by kellyyysayss

I understand what you're saying. This is caked on brake dust, or maybe some kind of tar? It seriously will not come off. :\
My detailer never showed up so I'll find another one to use Apex buster on it I guess.

I'm tired of throwing my money away at chemicals that will not work.

Are your tail lights smoked? They look dark. lol.

[kellyyysayss]

Originally Posted by Oh Randi

Are your tail lights smoked? They look dark. lol.

That isn't my bug posted above. His taillights looked smoked though, yes,

[Opelmania]

Originally Posted by kellyyysayss

That isn't my bug posted above. His taillights looked smoked though, yes,

Yep and I just went darker! Good luck on getting it off. Use Easy Off. $5

[D2Beetle]

Originally Posted by Opelmania

Yep and I just went darker! Good luck on getting it off. Use Easy Off. $5

I thought about oven cleaner, just was not brave enough to try it.

[Opelmania]

Do it. Here is the result. Looks red as can be and TOTALLY cleans it off. Make sure you put a coat of wax on whatever you cleaned with the oven cleaner. After a good wash of course. My car looks kinda pink in the shade.

[kellyyysayss]

Originally Posted by Opelmania

Do it. Here is the result. Looks red as can be and TOTALLY cleans it off. Make sure you put a coat of wax on whatever you cleaned with the oven cleaner. After a good wash of course. My car looks kinda pink in the shade.

I'm not talking about my BODY. I'm talking about my aluminum wheels.

Every detailer that looks at it says "I've never seen anything like this."

So, it's NOT typical crud. It's almost like tar it's so baked on.

I'll post a pic soon.

[D2Beetle]

Originally Posted by kellyyysayss

I'm not talking about my BODY. I'm talking about my aluminum wheels.

Every detailer that looks at it says "I've never seen anything like this."

So, it's NOT typical crud. It's almost like tar it's so baked on.

I'll post a pic soon.

The wheels for cowboy were baked on, that is what prompted me to use the industrial strength lime away. Here is the thread for my brake dust cleaning.

[kellyyysayss]

Originally Posted by D2Beetle

The wheels for cowboy were baked on, that is what prompted me to use the industrial strength lime away. Here is the thread for my brake dust cleaning.

Do you have a picture of what the bottle of lime away looks like? Apparently mine isn't "industrial".

[Daisy2001]

Well, at the shop I would coat it in degreaser, scrub it with a brush and Simple Green, power wash off, spray on some wheel acid, let it set a second, then power wash off again. Simple Green works on 90% of the wheels I detail though. Pretty sure you won't find a wheel acid in any stores unfortunately. If it is indeed tar like you suggested (very very possible) then buy some adhesive remover, spray it on a paper towel, and scrub it off that way.

If you can find access to a hot water pressure washer, it will help soooooooo much. Cold water won't help, you will have to rely on elbow grease.

Disclaimer: If you happen to find some wheel acid somewhere, it is VERY VERY strong. You need cover your nose and mouth (a mask preferably, but I use my shirt collar usually) and rubber gloves. If it touches skin, rinse it immediately. (Got it in a cut once, literally the worst pain I have ever felt!) Do not let it touch the paint on your car, avoid your tire if possible, and do not let it set on the rim for more than a minute or two.