Any tips on cleaning brake dust from inside of wheel rim?

The only thing I can think of is removing the tire, cleaning it, and putting it back on.

 

If you remove the wheel, get it as clean as possible and then put a good coat of wax, or even two coats, on the inside of the rim, it is easier to keep clean later. This makes future dirt removal much easier. I have done this on Porsche turbo twist wheels and it seems to make the brake dust come off much easier, I imagine it would be the same with Ferrari wheels.

Also, a toilet bowl brush wrapped in a soft cloth works well to reach in around the caliper and get the back inner side of the wheel - saves your knuckles and backs of your hands from getting the brake dust from the calipers on them, as well as cuts and scrapes from the air deflector.

 

Meguiar's has a long wheel brush with a rubber tip that works great.

Use two pails-one for wash and one for rinse.

Works beautifully every time.

 

The next time the car is in the shop, while it's up on the lift, ask them if you can spend 30 minutes under the car. Most of the time, if you are cool, they will let you. I try to get there right before quitting time. It takes some coordination and cooperation but usually it works out. Just bring your bucket and towels and reach in and have at it. The undertray too while your at it and anywhere else that you see.

If you don't feel like getting dirty, they have detailers that will do it for you for a fee.

I do this every Spring and sometimes in the Fall before I put it away for the Winter.

 

OK, here is a PRACTICAL EVERY WEEK solution to your problem (not, put it on a lift; not, take the wheels off...sorry guys, but that isn't helping this poor guy). Not sure what type of car care products you use, but Griots Garage has a good arsenal for washing. Their wheel cleaner should be bought by the gallon. Spray it on and also use their wheel brush. There are no scratches which can come from using this brush and it will really help in the caliper area. After using that combination, get in the wheel area with a microfiber mitt.

Good luck.

Joe

 

Just use a soapy wash mitt and reach inside. It doesn't get every spec but close enough. This will do as good a job as using the fancy gimmicks.

 

I have a $20.00 Home Depot Soloution that works great.

Go down to your local Home Depot & pick up a bunch of paint brushes of different sizes, as well as some good quality duct tape.

When you get home, duct tape the metal parts of the brush to the wooden parts so that none of the metal is exposed, and don't be afraid to go overboard on this.---It will reduce the possibility of any scratching.

Then, use the smaller brushes to get around the lug nuts, and the ones that are a bit wider to reach into the inside of the wheels --= use lots of soap and water

Also, keep a 2nd / 3rd wash mit to do the wheels

Although I don't get to detail my own cars often, when I do, I find this system works best.

I wouldn't use any of those "safe" wheel cleaners -- they are extremely acidic, and can do a number on your wheels

 

Pledge cuts through the dust and leaves a coat of wax. I use a soft brush.
It makes it easy. I hate to clean wheels. This is the easiest I've found.

I spray the whole wheel at once and also the tire. Let it sit a minute or two after you brush. Then I sit on a bucket turned upside dowm (it is the perfect height for me). Then wipe off with paper towels. You can use cloth towels but you'll make a mess in the washer.

Try to clean the wheels every time you drive. Otherwise the dust cakes on and it's a pain to get it off. Frequency makes it an easy job. I don't do it everytime but always after long drives and always before and after a day at the track. Only takes a minute or two a wheel if you have simple wheels (see below).

I use Qtips (don't use the ones with plastic shafts, they are lousy and may scratch the finish) around the lug nuts and other tight areas.

Oh, and your wheels will smell nice after you are done. I put the Pledge on the tires and wipe off with a (paper) towel. Works better than Amourall which turns brown.

I love good looking wheels but hate to clean them. Had a BMW 750iL with BBS (basket weave) wheels which were beautiful BUT a nightmare to clean. Took me 10 minutes a wheel sometimes. First step, choose simple open wheels that are easy to clean. Probably too late now but for future reference cleaning should be a key factor in selecting a wheel style IMO.

Hope this helps.

PNH
2002 360 F1 Spider with modular wheels= pretty easy
Porsche Boxster S with Carrera wheels = very easy

 

Now for the REAL answer (ha ha).

Go to Orchard Supply Hardware. In the cleaner section, with the brushes and mops, they sell these "dusters" on a long stick. They have the "feathery" material, and they have the "nylon-like" material. The nylon-type ones are bright yellow and are super soft to the touch. They make a big, puffy plume but if you get them wet with soapy water, they can slide into a space less than 1/2" wide. Buy one, discard the screw on/off stick part, and you have the PERFECT instrument for cleaning wheel barrels. Just dip it in a bucket of soapy water, then gently scrub the barrel of the wheel. You can slide it right in between the outside of the caliper and the wheel barrel so you don't have to roll the car to get to that part. You can even slide it in between the inside of the caliper and the hub.

 

Now, that's clever...... And its easy..... Thanks. I hadn't thought about this idea.

 

I have a separate microfiber mit for the wheels alone. Then another one for just the body work. I think everyone will agree with this... do not take the mit you just did your wheels with and then start rubbing it around your car's painted surface. Acutally, I used a complete separate bucket of soapy water for wheels only, too.

I think the one thing I find important is that the factory wheels are just paint with clear coat. They do not have any special coating or treatment on them. So, they need a soap wash and wax just like the painted part of your car. I think you can harm them by going overboard with cleaners and solutions... just as you would not dump high powered cleaners on the hood of your car, you should not put this stuff on your wheels. It will eventually erode the clear coat/finish. Wheels need wax, too.

So, I go with soapy water and a dedicated mit, and wax. Same as I would any other painted/clear coat surface.

 

get others to wash your car weekly , simple

 

yeah....uh.....dont drive it?

 

My advise is not to get too anal about cleaning the wheels. Whatever you do, the dust will be there shortly after cleaning. The key is REGULAR cleaning like everytime you wash your car.

P21S (I believe they are affiliated with Porsche) makes a terrific line of products including wheel cleaner. They also have a brush kit that can be use if needed. It comes in gel and liquid. You spray it on and hose off. Perfectly safe for clear coated wheels and brakes. Very easy to use.

 

I forgot to add that, if you regularly clay and wax your wheels, then it takes a lot longer for brake/road dust to accumulate on the surface of the wheel to the point where you can see it. And, they are a lot easier to clean. Like John said, it is paint with clear coat, and we wouldn't even give a second thought to claying and waxing our car's paint with clear coat.

 

I have to agree with you. I have used many wheel cleaners, but Griots is the best.

 

take off the wheel to clean it...

 

The best method is still a small sponge and doing it by hand. Sucks but it gets the wheel the cleanest of any other method. When the wheels are off, spend a couple hours really cleaning them up and waxing them. They everytime you wash, clean the insdie as far as you can with a small sponge after washign the car. It helps and the wheel should keep in good condition for months. Those long brushes can work well, but you have to be very careful about not damaging the wheel or brake finish with the handle. Hope this helps.

 

Agree P21S is is probably the best out there. Used it on my Porsche for 2 years and will be using it on my 430 when it arrives in March. Great stuff.

Al

 

paint or powder coat your wheels black

 

When I have the time, this method is what I use.

 

Simple Green works awesome on all wheels. Dilute 1 quart of SG to 3 quarts water. Spray on and wash as normal.

San Antonio Mobile Auto Detail
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Here's my smart-ass reply of the day....... Get carbon ceramics on your next car... They are dustless. I will never own another car that doesn't have them!

 

have you ever forund it to cause any yellowing on the badges on the wheels, or cause any kind of damage?

and is it just spray on, wash off?, or do you let it sit for 5-10 minutes, & is there rubbing and scrubbing invoolved?

I'm curious because my system requires alot of time, yours sounds a lot simpler, if I don't have to do any scrubbing-and it is safe on the wheels