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      05-12-2017, 02:58 PM   #1
DETRoadster
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Tips for Cleaning Dirty Wheels on a Clean Car?

Hey folks, like many of you my M2 suffers from chronically dirty wheels on an otherwise pretty clean car. i tend to not take the car out in the rain unless I absolutely have to, so I can go weeks and weeks with nothing but clean, dry, driving. With all the rain we have in Seattle there's minimal issue with dust in the air so it's possible to really stretch your wash intervals out.

However, the wheels get coated in brake dust FAST!

I'd like a routine for quickly and easily cleaning up the wheels that doesn't impact my otherwise pretty clean car. Anyone got any tips, techniques, trade secrets, to share on this topic?

Last edited by DETRoadster; 05-12-2017 at 03:28 PM..
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      05-12-2017, 03:36 PM   #2
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My wheels are coated!

First off, my wheels are coated, so that may help with my weekly routine.

I simply take a microfiber cloth and spray it with quick detail spray (or a little ONR solution) then wipe each wheel. I end up using 3-5 cloths because they do get dirty quickly, especially if you clean the calipers and behind the wheel 'spokes' which I do.

I don't like spraying the wheels directly with detail spray, because if it hits the rotor, it promotes rust and orange dust. Plus, I tend to saturate the cloth just enough to lift off the brake dust, while still providing adequate lubricity (i.e., don't want to scratch the wheels).

This part takes about 5 min / wheel.

Then I go over the tire sidewalls with Adams VRT.

Yeah, its a PITA and I do miss the CCBs I had on my other cars!
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      05-12-2017, 05:07 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragster RR View Post
First off, my wheels are coated, so that may help with my weekly routine.

I simply take a microfiber cloth and spray it with quick detail spray (or a little ONR solution) then wipe each wheel. I end up using 3-5 cloths because they do get dirty quickly, especially if you clean the calipers and behind the wheel 'spokes' which I do.

I don't like spraying the wheels directly with detail spray, because if it hits the rotor, it promotes rust and orange dust. Plus, I tend to saturate the cloth just enough to lift off the brake dust, while still providing adequate lubricity (i.e., don't want to scratch the wheels).

This part takes about 5 min / wheel.

Then I go over the tire sidewalls with Adams VRT.

Yeah, its a PITA and I do miss the CCBs I had on my other cars!
Awesome tips! Thank you! I've been thinking about coating my wheels and you've just convinced me to do it. Did you pull the wheels off so you could coat the inside lip as well or did you just coat the outside face of the spokes?

Do you find you can get the brake dust that the microfiber towel picks up washed off or do you have to trash the towel after?
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      05-12-2017, 08:18 PM   #4
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Not sure if they pulled the wheels off to coat (I'll ask the company that did the coating, window tint, and ppf for me).

I "demote" my microfiber cloths. When I no longer think they are soft/good enough to dry car/touch painted car surface, they get "demoted" to wheel cloths. The brake dust stains the cloths; black color never really comes out. I do wash on hottest cycle with just a little liquid detergent, and double rinse cycle (I do the same for my paint microfiber cloths, but in a separate batch).

Quote:
Originally Posted by DETRoadster View Post
Awesome tips! Thank you! I've been thinking about coating my wheels and you've just convinced me to do it. Did you pull the wheels off so you could coat the inside lip as well or did you just coat the outside face of the spokes?

Do you find you can get the brake dust that the microfiber towel picks up washed off or do you have to trash the towel after?
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      05-17-2017, 06:43 AM   #5
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I think the ONR idea is a great one. Getting them coated will help you keep them clean much easier.

Bruce
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      05-17-2017, 08:49 AM   #6
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I must be too old school. I just take an old towel wet it down (to add weight) drape it over the top of the tire, wash the wheel like I normally do and hold up the edge of the towel and spray the wheel clean. The towel catches the over spray.
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      05-17-2017, 02:06 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce_SC View Post
I think the ONR idea is a great one. Getting them coated will help you keep them clean much easier.

Bruce
Great idea! I actually have a bottle of ONR in the cabinet that I bought a few years back and never could bring myself to use, not matter how many videos I watched of Ferrari's being successfully cleaned with it, scratch free. I'll definitely try that out on the wheels.
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      05-17-2017, 02:08 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by omasou View Post
I must be too old school. I just take an old towel wet it down (to add weight) drape it over the top of the tire, wash the wheel like I normally do and hold up the edge of the towel and spray the wheel clean. The towel catches the over spray.
You're old school and also more talented than I am. I've tried this and I still make a mess! I'm also the guy that tripped and kicked over his rinse bucket full of dirty water at the end of the wash and, yeah, splashed the side of my freshly washed AND DRIED car with dirty water. Yep. That's me. Beyond clumsy.
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      05-17-2017, 02:18 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DETRoadster View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragster RR View Post
First off, my wheels are coated, so that may help with my weekly routine.

I simply take a microfiber cloth and spray it with quick detail spray (or a little ONR solution) then wipe each wheel. I end up using 3-5 cloths because they do get dirty quickly, especially if you clean the calipers and behind the wheel 'spokes' which I do.

I don't like spraying the wheels directly with detail spray, because if it hits the rotor, it promotes rust and orange dust. Plus, I tend to saturate the cloth just enough to lift off the brake dust, while still providing adequate lubricity (i.e., don't want to scratch the wheels).

This part takes about 5 min / wheel.

Then I go over the tire sidewalls with Adams VRT.

Yeah, its a PITA and I do miss the CCBs I had on my other cars!
Awesome tips! Thank you! I've been thinking about coating my wheels and you've just convinced me to do it. Did you pull the wheels off so you could coat the inside lip as well or did you just coat the outside face of the spokes?

Do you find you can get the brake dust that the microfiber towel picks up washed off or do you have to trash the towel after?
Wheels need to be pulled to coat. You can also use just a sealant like Sonax PNS on the entire wheel. Not as effective as a coating, but lasts for a good 4-6 mos. I have some you can use of you'd rather test it out before buying it yourself. I use it on the car also, for its phenomenal "hydrophobicity"

Ideally, you just want to swap out your pads. I popped in the Carbotech 1521s and dust issue is now non-existant. I have also used EBC red stuff, and they also work well in terms of dusting.

My favorite pads were Akebono Euro, but don't think they make our pad shape.
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      05-17-2017, 02:48 PM   #10
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ONR

Quote:
Originally Posted by DETRoadster View Post
Great idea! I actually have a bottle of ONR in the cabinet that I bought a few years back and never could bring myself to use, not matter how many videos I watched of Ferrari's being successfully cleaned with it, scratch free. I'll definitely try that out on the wheels.
I have used it on vehicles that are slightly dirty with great results. I think you have to know the limits of the process. I wouldn't use it on a neglected car. Its great for onsite show prep. Did that this past weekend with a jet black 55 Bel Air that we polished and had not ill effects.

Bruce
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      05-17-2017, 04:11 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nd2002 View Post
Wheels need to be pulled to coat. You can also use just a sealant like Sonax PNS on the entire wheel. Not as effective as a coating, but lasts for a good 4-6 mos. I have some you can use of you'd rather test it out before buying it yourself. I use it on the car also, for its phenomenal "hydrophobicity"

Ideally, you just want to swap out your pads. I popped in the Carbotech 1521s and dust issue is now non-existant. I have also used EBC red stuff, and they also work well in terms of dusting.

My favorite pads were Akebono Euro, but don't think they make our pad shape.
Great info, thanks! I've got Gyeon Wheel sealer on order now. I'll be pulling the wheels off to thoroughly clean , prep, and seal.

Did you replace pads at all 4 corners or just the fronts, which seem to be the bigger offenders due to the natural brake bias towards the front?
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      05-17-2017, 05:41 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DETRoadster View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by nd2002 View Post
Wheels need to be pulled to coat. You can also use just a sealant like Sonax PNS on the entire wheel. Not as effective as a coating, but lasts for a good 4-6 mos. I have some you can use of you'd rather test it out before buying it yourself. I use it on the car also, for its phenomenal "hydrophobicity"

Ideally, you just want to swap out your pads. I popped in the Carbotech 1521s and dust issue is now non-existant. I have also used EBC red stuff, and they also work well in terms of dusting.

My favorite pads were Akebono Euro, but don't think they make our pad shape.
Great info, thanks! I've got Gyeon Wheel sealer on order now. I'll be pulling the wheels off to thoroughly clean , prep, and seal.

Did you replace pads at all 4 corners or just the fronts, which seem to be the bigger offenders due to the natural brake bias towards the front?
All 4. Never messed with different compounds on street pads. Should be OK, since the rears probably get lightly used anyway
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