Any recommendations to reduce brake dust?

[Steve_Perry]

Any of you guys find a solution to the dreaded brake dust spoiling the looks of your alloys? I get fed up when, after spending time and effort cleaning the wheels, they look filthy again in a matter of days. Am I the only one, any tips or tricks you guys know of?

Thanks,

S.

 

[Koolvin]

I wash my alloys everyday - but then again I am a clean freak.

 

[SPS]

i know the likes of ECP and GSF sell brake dust protectors which fit on the hub of the wheels ,i do not know how effective they are or whether they would obstuct air cooling of disc brakes <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

 

[Koolvin]

you could get low dust brake pads

 

[Guy]

Don't use an acid based wheel cleaner on your wheels. They are very harsh and can destroy the finish of a wheel.
Once the lacquer's knackered, the brake dust seems to stick more and is harder to get off.

The best way is to make them less &quot;sticky&quot;, [smoother surface] so they are much easier and quicker to clean.

Try polishing the wheels and then seal them with a polymer sealant to protect them.

Then a non-acidic spray wheel cleaner and a hose, or sponge and warm water is usually enough.

Only other useful advice - Don't use the wife's toothbrush for the awkward bits.

 

[Steve_Perry]

Thanks guys.

Sunil, I've no experience with dust protectors myself but I've heard that MB recommend that they not be used as they reckon it could lead to overheating of the discs.

Kool, I have found in the past that non OEM brake pads tend to squeal alot under heavy breaking. I also remember George recommending that I stick with genuine MB pads so that's what I do these days.

Guy, I use a product called &quot;GS27 Gel Effect Wheel Cleaner&quot; the stuff is a bright luminous green in the bottle. It does a great job of cleaning the wheels and removing the brake dust. However, the bottle does not say what the component chemicals are that make up the cleaner.

I guess ur wife would take a dim view of using the dish washing brush too then <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

I guess I'll have to take Kool's lead and wash the wheels more often, bah humbug.

S.

 

[fuzzer]

I think the mercedes wheels are terrible. I can't believe that they paint them instead of just leaving as polished alloy. Just asking for trouble when the hot dust comes out the wheels.

The best wheels are the ones Guy has on his E300 T . Evo II's where they are polished alloy instead of a laquored paint finish.The brake dust comes off them a lot more easilly than my painted wheels.

 

[Shude]

I cleaned right through that painted surface on the oem 16&quot; sport wheels. &nbsp;#### cheapo MB rims!

Steve:

Consider yourself lucky that your wheels get dirty in a &quot;matter of days&quot;, mine look like sh*t after one day's driving (60 miles).

My AMG wheels are cleaned with soap and water like the rest of the car, no acid etc will be going anywhere near them. &nbsp;You wouldn't use acid on the car bodywork and that's painted too! <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

 

[Simon]

Do any of you remember the Flintstones? I doubt Fred would have got brake dust on his rollers. Invest in an angle grinder &amp; a decent pair of boots. <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

 

[Guy]

Does anyone know whether these people are as good as they claim - low dust brake pads by EBC?

Link here

I'd heard of Fred Flintstone, but not EBC.

 

[Roy]

Reducing Brake Dust.

As a new member wading through the backlog of very interesting MB topics, I hope the following may be of interest.

I have used 'brake covers' inside not only the front wheels of my 300TD but the rear as well. I have also used these covers on a my previous 250TD and I have also fitted them to front and rear wheels of my BMW 330D SE.

I swear by them and have never had any problems with brakes overheating.
My present E300TD has lugged our caravan to Venice, Berlin, Passau and last year down to the South of France without a murmer of a problem... The wheels are always clean and are so very easy to wash off ...

Where did the overheating bit come from ? Would love to know more about this.

 

[C240Sport97]

I wax my AMG alloys regularly and wash with car wax shampoo whenever it gets dirty. that way, the dirt comes off easily. It takes me all of about 10 minutes to do all 4 wheels.

 

[Shude]

lol moving thread to wheels/tyres...

 

[Satch]

I wax my AMG alloys regularly and wash with car wax shampoo whenever it gets dirty. that way, the dirt comes off easily. It takes me all of about 10 minutes to do all 4 wheels.

I bought some Wheel Wax recently and will see how that goes.

Up to now have been using Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection, which being a quick drying residue free liquid is very easy to apply and shine up. Reapply every few weeks and even after some days of driving can take all brake dust off with just a slightly damp cloth and any remaining tar spots & polymer gunge from the pads with a litle bit of White Spirit.

The harsh Alloy wheel cleaning products should better be called WMD for Alloys. (A conspiracy with alloy wheel makers, bit like glaziers employing yobs to break windows when trade is slack?)

I particularly detest the ones which shout "Free of harmful Acids!!" and not a mention of the fact they are heavily alkaline, which is potentially worse.

Looked around for brake dust shields, but yet to find any which do not look vile with open spoke style wheels. So the Mr Clean routine it has to be.

 

[uumode]

Firstly buy alloys which are easy to clean
I use Turtle Wax's Extra Gloss protection or their alloy wheel protector to form a barrier. The dust wipes off easier.

 

[Bernie Cook]

Another way to reduce brake dust getting on your wheels is not to brake at all. This action will cause heavy damage to the front end of your car but what the hell, your wheels will remain nice and clean.

 

[Shude]

This action will cause heavy damage to the front end of your car but what the hell, your wheels will remain nice and clean.

That depends on what you hit. I reckon you could safely use things like fiats as soft, external crumple-zones to help slow your car down without having to brake, and you'd only suffer minimal damage to your own car. Fiat Seicento would be perfect for that task, according to the ncap test results they fold up like a cheap suitcase. The below picture was taken after someone slammed the bootlid a little harder than neccessary.

Of course if it looks like you might hit something more substantial then maybe some braking is advisable

 

[Alfie]

Personally I find that my AMG wheels are the easiest in the world to clean. Takes less than five minutes with soapy water, sponge and hose to do all four wheels.

Buy some AMG wheels, the saving in chemical cleaners will pay for the wheels eventually.

Steer very very clear of brake dust protectors/shields. They WILL affect the performance of your brakes. If your discs/pads overheat this WILL affect your braking. If you have an accident or worse still you injure someone and you are found to have effectively tampered with your vehicles braking system, you might be a) uninsured. b) taken to court and cleaned out c). Have to live with it on your conscience. The safety of your vehicles performance is something you dont tamper with. Soap and water is the answer. IMHO.

 

[glojo]

Another way to reduce brake dust getting on your wheels is not to brake at all. This action will cause heavy damage to the front end of your car but what the hell, your wheels will remain nice and clean.

That's a stoopid suggestion. Why not drive around in reverse???

Or, or better still, just disconnect the front brakes? (blank off the pipes though)

Could also just use the handbrake.

But don't try none of these suggestions on the public highway.

John

 

[Satch]

Bring back steel wheels and those fine looking plastic covers. An old BMW I had came with ones that could pass for alloys on a dark stormy night in an unlit pub car park.

And you could put them in the diswasher.