Removing embedded brake dust from clear coated wheels

[Strive]

With wheels that haven't been cleaned for many miles (thousands), I often find that there is stubborn brake dust that I have trouble removing.

For example, here is a picture from some clear coated wheels that I hit with a (not super strong) wheel cleaner, a foam brush and those foam finger pockets.



Those black specks are brake dust that did not come off with this process. (I'm pretty sure they are embedded in the clear coat)

I will move on to a more aggressive process to see what I can do, but I am wondering what people do for seriously embedded brake dust on clear coated wheels?

• Stronger wheel cleaner? (maybe acidic?)
• Claying?
• Iron remover?

I know if I get too aggressive then the clear coat might not look right after removing the brake dust, so I will test a small area first (Normally I use the inside of the wheels to test, but that might not be an option in this case).

Also, this is not a show car so less than 100% removal is okay (100% removal might require refinishing )

Thank you.

 

[Mike Phillips]

Could be to far gone to save.

I would test an Iron Remover first - see if you can chemically dissolve the iron contamination. If the brake dust particles have penetrated past all layers of paint - all the way to the base metal. And the base metal is steel - using an iron remover may remove the brake dust particles and leave exposed steel? This is what I mean by this could be too far gone to fix - correctly.

Other than than that - try clay.

Ouch...

 

[Strive]

Could be to far gone to save.

I would test an Iron Remover first

Other than than that - try clay.

Thank you. I will try those.

If the brake dust particles have penetrated past all layers of paint - all the way to the base metal. And the base metal is steel - using an iron remover may remove the brake dust particles and leave exposed steel? This is what I mean by this could be too far gone to fix - correctly.

Thank you for the heads up. I am aware that this is possible... don't ask me how i know

 

[JohnU]

Time for the owner to change pads to a ceramic type and eliminate the majority of that issue.

 

[Mike Phillips]

Time for the owner to change pads to a ceramic type and eliminate the majority of that issue.

Ceramic disc brake pads is a good option.

Another option is to switch the car over to 4-wheel drum brakes. The drums do a great job of holding the brake dust inside of itself.

 

[JohnU]

Drums forever!

 

[Mike Phillips]

Wow! That's freaking cool!

 

[JohnU]

Thanks.... before and after of the front hub. Full bolt-nut restoration done in 3 months during a cold winter! Buffing aluminum is a messy project!

 

[2black1s]

Time for the owner to change pads to a ceramic type and eliminate the majority of that issue.

Most OEM applications use semi-metallic brake pads and for good reason... They provide the best, most consistent and predictable stopping power under typical conditions, and especially so at cooler temperatures.

Ceramic brake pads will reduce the dusting issue but there is a trade-off in performance.

I've used ceramic pads on some of my cars in the past but have since returned to using semi-metallics.

On my bikes, its semi-metallics always. I have a friend who put Lyndall ceramic rotors and pads (big bucks) on his bike (same bike as mine). I rode it and couldn't believe the decrease in performance compared to the stock rotors and pads under normal conditions. I didn't get to ride it hard enough to check out the hot performance but under normal street conditions the performance degradation was too much for me.