Nothing is more unattractive or downright ugly on a vehicle than brake dust caked on a beautiful chrome wheel. The amount of brake dust on the rear or front wheels is highly dependent on the manufacturer's automotive design. For example, Volkswagen designed its cars and trucks so that the rear wheels do most of the work; as a result, the rear wheels wear out faster, which could account for more dust.
Many other brands have larger brake rotors and brake pads designed for the front of their vehicles, accounting for more frontal brake dust. However, technology has improved the essential brake pad with more eco-friendly and sophisticated materials. Left untreated, brake pad dust eats away at softer chrome and stainless coatings, leaving them pitted and worn-looking.
It is essential to clean wheels, rotors, and tires regularly or risk brake dust permanently damaging the chrome of plated wheels.
What Causes Brake Dust on Rims?
Brake pads are steel-backed plates made of semi-metallic and non-asbestos materials. Pads convert a vehicle's kinetic energy when stopping to thermal energy through friction. Whenever the brakes are applied, tiny particles break off and cling to the soft metal of chrome wheels.
Brake pads have been around since 1902, with pad performance materials starting in the 60s. Early in its technological evolution, there were two families of friction material brake pads: semi-metallics with metals such as copper, iron, and steel. Non-asbestos organics are various composites in the form of cellulose and sintered glass.
Semi-metallics were designed for aggressive, heavier loads with more applied braking forces
Non-asbestos organics were built for lighter vehicles when noise was a significant concern
Ceramic materials and composites began making their way into the industry nearly thirty years ago. Most recently, carbon, carbon fiber, and advanced ceramics have been making headway into every corner of the market.
How to Clean Brake Dust Off Rims
Cleaning brake dust from soft metal rims requires a good cleaning agent and stiff pressure washing. Depending on the amount of dust, apply the cleaning agent and let it sit for a minute or two. Thoroughly clean the entire wheel with a pressure washer.
Consider the following cleaners:
Adam’s Iron Remover is an acid-free cleaner for embedded iron particles and other contaminants
Armor All Heavy Duty Wheel and Tire Cleaner is another excellent product for eliminating brake dust. Armor-All will clean any brake dust material from soft metal wheels
CRC Brakleen is one of the best solutions for eliminating brake dust on brake disks and calipers. The specialized formula is used by do-it-yourselfers and professionals
Gathering the Necessary Supplies
To do the job right, a few items are needed to clean brake dust off the wheels, whether it is just starting or caked on.
Choose a cleaner specifically designed to eliminate brake dust from soft chrome or stainless wheels
A soft-bristle wire brush for scrubbing
Plenty of water is needed to wash and rinse the wheel
A microfiber towel for drying
Quality gloves for protecting hands must be worn at all times
Safety glasses for protecting your eyes from splashing material
Never clean the wheels while they are hot; allow them to cool off before starting.
Prepare the Vehicle
Before applying any cleaning chemicals to the wheels, it is essential to rinse the entire surface of the wheel thoroughly. Make sure the outside and inside are cleaned as much as possible with just the rinse.
After each wheel is sprayed with chemicals, wire brushed, and scrubbed, make sure to rinse the wheel thoroughly inside and out. Rinse off the area where the vehicle has been cleaned and make absolutely certain no chemical residue is left anywhere on the car, wheels, and tires.
Applying Wheel Cleaner
A good wheel cleaner will always have clear instructions on the back of the bottle; follow these instructions for the best results. Apply the cleaner evenly to the wheel’s surface. Focus the spray on areas of heavy brake dust buildup. Allow the cleaner to sit on the wheel’s surface for up to fifteen minutes to break down caked-on dust.
Use the wire brush to agitate the cleaning agent if needed. Once the spray cleaner has been applied and washed, rinse thoroughly. If the wheel still has brake dust particles, reapply the cleaner and concentrate the spray on the heaviest areas of accumulation. Never let the chemical stay on the wheel longer than the recommended amount of time.
Scrubbing the Rims
Once the cleaning chemical has been allowed to sit on the wheel’s surface for the recommended amount of time, use the wire brush to scrub the wheel. Pay close attention to spokes, crevices, and the areas around the lug nuts.
Do not use excessive force when scrubbing the wheel; this could damage the soft metal surfaces. Apply moderate pressure when scrubbing the areas with the heaviest buildup of caked-on brake dust. If any of these caked-on areas do not clean immediately, rinse off and apply a new round of cleaning chemicals. Repeat the process until the area is free of brake dust and clean to your satisfaction.
Drying the Rim
Once the rim has been cleaned of all brake dust and residue, rinse it thoroughly inside and out. Use a microfiber cloth to dry the wheel’s surface immediately after cleaning. If a chrome wheel is left to air dry, there will always be streaks and spots.
Applying Wheel Sealant
After a thorough cleaning, it is always recommended to apply a good wheel sealant for brake dust accumulation. At least once a season, apply a heavy layer of ceramic coating or wax sealant to preserve the beauty of a chrome rim.
Superior wheel protection helps prevent cracking and fading and repels brake dust particles and staining. Ceramic coatings are possibly the most effective treatment for wheel surfaces, guarding against harmful road contaminants.
How to Prevent Brake Dust on Rims
Ceramic brake pads, though more expensive, are lighter, quieter, and suited for aggressive driving. They produce far less dust than metallics, and since there is no metal, they are not corrosive. To keep wheel surfaces looking their best, it is a good idea to clean the vehicles and wheels at least every two weeks. If the vehicle is driven in dusty conditions or under heavy forces, clean each surface more often.
To keep brake dust at bay and always have an excellent braking system, check the brakes on a regular schedule.
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