Help...can't get brake dust off...

[CMH75]

My 35d with the 20" wheel option just hit 37k miles and I've never had a problem removing brake dust off the wheels until today. I went 2 weeks between washes due to poor weather (which I've done before) and the brake dust was heavy (also been there before). After a wash, my wheels have always been spotless.

This time, I've washed my wheels 4 times using BMW's wheel cleaner gel and scrubbed like a crazy man; the markings appear to be literal stains on the wheel.....it is streaked all over the place. I'm calling out my detailer to see if he can help, but has anyone ever experienced this on BMW's wheels or know how to fix?

I was previously amazed at how slick they were and how easily it came off...this is my first experience with it being literally stained....

[NRG]

Looks like too much acid was applied and you scrubbed it in removing the clear. Or you hit a puddle of paint thiner.

[petercory]

Install a set of Akebono Euro Brake Pads and you'' never have the problem in the future!!

[GKyri]

There could be some oil/tar/grease mixed in there. Maybe a mild degreaser? Have you tried some car cleaner polish?

[CMH75]

Thanks for the input...haven't tried anything else yet. I'm stumped as to the cause, but I'm going to hold off until the "pros" can look at it later this week. I'm just hoping that what ever I did wasn't the fatal flaw to clean wheels.

[JL350]

CMH75 that looks like some sort of oil and brake dust mix, water and soap etc seems to spread it. Try some paper tower with some silicon spray wetting it. Wipe a black spot and see if it moves it. WD40 etc can also work but silicon spray seems to work best.

[Drk280]

auto detail guy told me to wax the rims when they are very clean (or when you get your car new) - alternatively here in Australia a company Bendix still sell asbestos coated pads or white surface pads i think they are called like they used to use back in the 80's and no more dust on your wheels

[GKyri]

Asbestos is banned in Australia, just like it is in most western nations. I think you will find that Bendix has a dustless pad that contains no asbestos.

[donho]

Looks like some kind of oil, smeared with brake dust.

I never had an issue with factory wheels. I run it into the car wash, ask them to scrub the wheels extra good and they come out great. and I have gone 1 month+ without washing.

In the beginning I hand washed the truck and the wheels are hell to clean. You cant get inbetween the spokes with a car wash sponge. After that, car wash only. They have a smashed bristle wheel brush that cleans all the tight areas.

[rwilson]

you may want to try something like simple green. I had the same issue earlier this year on my 214's when the front cv boot split and threw grease everywhere.

I normally use a daytona speed master wheel brush once a week and really dont have to wax/seal the wheels but once a year when I switch to the winter setip

[BabyCAP]

Originally Posted by rwilson

you may want to try something like simple green. I had the same issue earlier this year on my 214's when the front cv boot split and threw grease everywhere.

I normally use a daytona speed master wheel brush once a week and really dont have to wax/seal the wheels but once a year when I switch to the winter setip

This is very good info for all readers! Same happened to me. For a while I kept wondering why I could not keep my wheels clean. I had a tear in the CV boot. This type of grease on your wheels "may" be a sign to check CV boot. Can't hurt. Good Luck.

[AlBoston]

wow a lot of really bad suggestions! Don't use goo gone, simple green, silicone spray any of those!

Try simple automotive clay, remember these wheels are PAINTED just like your car is painted. I use armor all wheel protectant spray after I clean and dry my wheels and I can go weeks with virtually no brake dust buildup... really amazing stuff.

[rwilson]

Simple green makes a product specifically for wheels. I mentioned it since my normal cleaner "Sonax full effect" was not successful at getting grease off of the wheels.

I think the issue here is abnormal grease not regular brake dust which most standard
cleaning techniques can handle.

Rich

[miller]

There are good wheel cleaner products out there that can deal with brake dust and tar build-up, I use Eagle One A to Z. It's good for any type of wheel (painted, chrome, polished, etc.). You should not scrub very hard with a brush as these are painted. Use a sponge. A mild degreaser (Simple Green) will not hurt your wheels and it may be needed if the black stuff is oily.

Once the wheels are clean, coat them with Armor-All Wheel Protectant. It will repel dust, road grime and tar. And it's good for about two washes before needing a re-coat.

[phx08]

I wouldn't use anything strong like goo-gone and things alike. Try to soak the wheels a little bit before trying to wipe. Also maybe use a soft brush to try to get the dust off.

[TwinturboGTR]

So Sonax didn't take that stuff off eh??? Well for real stubborn stuff, I've used 3m General Purpose Adhesive remover. It is a solvent, but safe for CURED paint. So with the amount of miles you have, the paint should be good to go. Just get a microfiber towel and spray some on the towel and wipe. It will take that stuff right out.

I had the same problem on my 4.8is last week when I was prepping to go to Bimmerfest. Called up a sponsor detailer on my other forum (Xoutpost.com) and said that he uses the 3M all the time with no problems. Just gets tricky on BRAND NEW PAINT. But on yours, no problem.

Detailing clay may work, but if it is grease (While looks like it is and as other suggested from the CV boot) then the clay will just smear it around and won't pick it up as good or as quickly.

Hope that helps.

[midtowneast]

Just a shot in the dark, I took my X5 to a newly installed touchless car wash that applies an armorall type product at the end of the wash. The car wash uses rollers that you drive through at 1 mile per hour. After the wash I noticed that the few brake dust spots left did not come off with the usual towel wipe. I cleaned the wheels after a vacation trip and had a tough time getting the dirt off and it looked like your picture. I used purple power a degreeser from walmart and two brushed to get the stubborn spots off.

[CMH75]

Thanks everyone for the input.....I was out of town for a bit, so I'll post again when I have a chance to address it and let everyone know what worked.

[jhilly8982]

I would use some Iron X on it. Works wonders. Be careful though, spray only on the wheels unless you want to rewax your whole car.