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Aletank
MB Enthusiast
Hello Lesworth, Welcome to the forum <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='
'>
I've had my car just over 2 months now, When I got it I don't think it had ever been clean "PROPERLY" in it's 3 years of life.My wheels had the same problem.
Each time I wash mine which is normally at least once a week I use Wonder Wheels on them, I fill the cap which you get with Wonder Wheels with the solution and go around the car twice scrubbing hard with the soft brush provided using the full cap full of solution on each wash.
My wheels are now nearly spot free after 2 months of doin that, each time a bit more comes off.
To keep the brake dust off I found this technic on another forum which sounds a bit mad but I think it works .
After washing your car/wheels and there all dry I use a Mr Sheen Wipe(the furniture polish) on all 4 wheels. This seems to keep the brake dust away for longer and stuff that does go on washes off easily.
Just waxing your wheels may have the same effect but those wipes are quicker to use.
I'd say this keeps about 80% of the brake dust away <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>
I know it sounds a bit mad but try it and see <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>
'> I've had my car just over 2 months now, When I got it I don't think it had ever been clean "PROPERLY" in it's 3 years of life.My wheels had the same problem.
Each time I wash mine which is normally at least once a week I use Wonder Wheels on them, I fill the cap which you get with Wonder Wheels with the solution and go around the car twice scrubbing hard with the soft brush provided using the full cap full of solution on each wash.
My wheels are now nearly spot free after 2 months of doin that, each time a bit more comes off.
To keep the brake dust off I found this technic on another forum which sounds a bit mad but I think it works .
After washing your car/wheels and there all dry I use a Mr Sheen Wipe(the furniture polish) on all 4 wheels. This seems to keep the brake dust away for longer and stuff that does go on washes off easily.
Just waxing your wheels may have the same effect but those wipes are quicker to use.
I'd say this keeps about 80% of the brake dust away <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='
'> I know it sounds a bit mad but try it and see <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='
'>
jimmy
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2002
- Messages
- 2,316
- Location
- Northamptonshire
- Car
- Discovery 3 TDV6, Discovery 300TDi - Plaything!
Hi Lesworth,
I am a bit of perfectionist when it comes to cleaning my cars <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'> My current car had new alloys when I bought it so they are blemish free so far, I find that waxing them with a good quality wax definetly helps to keep them clean, and as Aletank has said it makes them easier to clean.
As for getting the black spots off, I would try a 'cleaning' wax such as Autoglym that is very mildly abrasive or very gently with metallic T-cut, make sure whatever you use is clear coat or lacquer safe.
Be careful with some of the alloy wheel cleaners as they are often quite acidic which can damage your alloys.
Brake dust is not simply dust from the brake pads but a nasty cocktail of metal oxides that are formed from the high temperatures and pressures during braking that physically bond themselves to your wheels. This is why it is sometimes so difficult to remove. <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>
Thank goodness I dont have spoked alloys like I used to on an old BMW, wore out many a toothbrush cleaning them. <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=''>
I am a bit of perfectionist when it comes to cleaning my cars <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'> My current car had new alloys when I bought it so they are blemish free so far, I find that waxing them with a good quality wax definetly helps to keep them clean, and as Aletank has said it makes them easier to clean.
As for getting the black spots off, I would try a 'cleaning' wax such as Autoglym that is very mildly abrasive or very gently with metallic T-cut, make sure whatever you use is clear coat or lacquer safe.
Be careful with some of the alloy wheel cleaners as they are often quite acidic which can damage your alloys.
Brake dust is not simply dust from the brake pads but a nasty cocktail of metal oxides that are formed from the high temperatures and pressures during braking that physically bond themselves to your wheels. This is why it is sometimes so difficult to remove. <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>
Thank goodness I dont have spoked alloys like I used to on an old BMW, wore out many a toothbrush cleaning them. <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=''>
Aletank
MB Enthusiast
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Be careful with some of the alloy wheel cleaners as they are often quite acidic which can damage your alloys.
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
I was thinking this myself and once my "black spots" have gone I think I will just use soap and water to clean my wheels then.
Once they are clean and you put wax/polish etc on ya wheels after cleanin, the dust does more or less just rinse off.
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
I was thinking this myself and once my "black spots" have gone I think I will just use soap and water to clean my wheels then.
Once they are clean and you put wax/polish etc on ya wheels after cleanin, the dust does more or less just rinse off.
My only tip is to be as careful as you can. The 16" MB 6-spoke sport wheels are really fragile and the painted suface on them is very, very thin.
Cheapo MB sold out to Ronal for those wheels...
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Originally posted by Shude
For those of you that don't know, I bought my c230k at 3 years old with 100,000 miles on it, and I don't think the wheels were cleaned ever. <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>
On Saturday I finally decided to have a go at removing the brakedust from my wheels. I decided to take one wheel off to see what the situation was.
The inside, on the left side is where I had with a scourer to see if the inside of the rim is supposed to be silver like the outside.
Looks like they're made by Ronal...
Here's my pressure washer:
These are the scouring pads I used:
I finally managed to remove all the brakedust, although it looks like some of it was actually embedded in the surface of the wheel, because on one small area I actually removed the silver paint on the wheel and was down to the white!
Damage on the spoke was already there when I bought the car, damage between the front section and rear section ridge is new (not noticed before) and other damage was done on Saturday.
That's given me much more incentive to get a new set of rims. I might still get the old ones repaired, they have some damage around the rim and one of them has paint damage from being screwed into the truck recess to hard by someone!
A lesson has been learned: do NOT try to scrub brake dust off, if it won't come off easily then it's probably there for life.
I seriously need to get some reduced-dust pads before the new rims so I don't have this problem again, any suggestions anyone? </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Cheapo MB sold out to Ronal for those wheels...
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Originally posted by Shude
For those of you that don't know, I bought my c230k at 3 years old with 100,000 miles on it, and I don't think the wheels were cleaned ever. <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='
'>On Saturday I finally decided to have a go at removing the brakedust from my wheels. I decided to take one wheel off to see what the situation was.
The inside, on the left side is where I had with a scourer to see if the inside of the rim is supposed to be silver like the outside.
Looks like they're made by Ronal...
Here's my pressure washer:
These are the scouring pads I used:
I finally managed to remove all the brakedust, although it looks like some of it was actually embedded in the surface of the wheel, because on one small area I actually removed the silver paint on the wheel and was down to the white!
Damage on the spoke was already there when I bought the car, damage between the front section and rear section ridge is new (not noticed before) and other damage was done on Saturday.
That's given me much more incentive to get a new set of rims. I might still get the old ones repaired, they have some damage around the rim and one of them has paint damage from being screwed into the truck recess to hard by someone!
A lesson has been learned: do NOT try to scrub brake dust off, if it won't come off easily then it's probably there for life.
I seriously need to get some reduced-dust pads before the new rims so I don't have this problem again, any suggestions anyone? </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Wonder Wheels certainly did the trick! 75% of the deposits came off with the first application. I also used some wet look tyre finisher and it looks like I have new wheels (well from a distance until I remove all of the brake dust deposits).
<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'>
<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'>
Aletank
MB Enthusiast
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I also used some wet look tyre finisher</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
I've always used Car Plan Tyre Silk and find it about the best, It always comes top in the Auto Express tests <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>
I've always used Car Plan Tyre Silk and find it about the best, It always comes top in the Auto Express tests <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='
'></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (lesworth @ Nov. 04 2002,12:16)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Wonder Wheels certainly did the trick! 75% of the deposits came off with the first application. I also used some wet look tyre finisher and it looks like I have new wheels (well from a distance until I remove all of the brake dust deposits).</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
just be sure to use the strong stuff sparingly.
just be sure to use the strong stuff sparingly.
Im going to try a new way of cleaning wheels. Ive bought a Karcher steam generator and a little brush , ill let u guys know how i get on ... <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'> <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'> <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'> <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'>
Hi
I've got some polished 18" Brabus wheels, which I have from new. They look the bizz but seem to be dirt (and particularly brake dust) magnets.
I do about 500 miles per week so you can imagine the state of my wheels every Saturday when I religously clean my car for (well until the wifey gets completely pissed off and when its 20mins before M&S closing time!!<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>.
Anyway, I use Autosol every couple of weeks, this really helps sparkle the wheels particularly the polished edges. It is excellent for removing tar and brake dust spots. I also use it on my stainless steel exhaust which seems to pick up so much S**t!!
I also use a good quality wax.. this definately keeps the grime away and makes it easier to clean!!
I noticed last week that I've got a couple of chips on my polished edge. I have never curbed my wheels (Thank god!!<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> guess what, their bloody stone chips!!
I've got some polished 18" Brabus wheels, which I have from new. They look the bizz but seem to be dirt (and particularly brake dust) magnets.
I do about 500 miles per week so you can imagine the state of my wheels every Saturday when I religously clean my car for (well until the wifey gets completely pissed off and when its 20mins before M&S closing time!!<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='
'>.Anyway, I use Autosol every couple of weeks, this really helps sparkle the wheels particularly the polished edges. It is excellent for removing tar and brake dust spots. I also use it on my stainless steel exhaust which seems to pick up so much S**t!!
I also use a good quality wax.. this definately keeps the grime away and makes it easier to clean!!
I noticed last week that I've got a couple of chips on my polished edge. I have never curbed my wheels (Thank god!!<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='
'> guess what, their bloody stone chips!!
