Help! My wheels are a magnet for brake dust!
October 2nd, 2006 by Danny the web stig
Aren’t they all ducky…
Actually, “magnet” is the right word for this. Chaps who payed far more attention in science class than I ever did tell me that part of the problem is the metal that comes off your brake discs and pads becomes statically charged and so will actually stick to your ally wheels like a magnet.
When these metal particles get wet they produce acids that etch into your wheels. The salts on the road don’t help either, speeding up the oxidization process. And then when you clean your wheels, chances are you will use a pretty harsh wheel cleaner (acidic or caustic) that may burn the paintwork. The more the paintwork on your wheels gets damaged, the more the brake dust has to stick to and can get a grip. when you think about it, your wheels get more punishment than any other part of the car.
The solution is actually rather simple. Firstly, clean your wheels well and often and don’t allow brake dust to build up because if it does it harbours all sorts of contaminates. Secondly, get yourself a wheel sealant. There are several on the market, Supawheels, Alloy Wax, Metalmate, Innotec, etc. With any sealant they help protect the painted/lacquered surface of the wheels from contaminates and corrosive substances, and they lessen the effct of the static electric charge (acting like an anti-static coating) meaning that you wheels no longer act like a magnet.
The result is that your wheels become far, far easier to clean and keep clean. You can switch to a less harsh wheel cleaner, a citrus cleaner will probably do, which is less harsh on your wheels.
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brake dust is more pf a problem today
because the brake pads are made of a
harder material which causes more dust.
if you seal your wheels every time you
polish the car,brake dust should wash
of easily and not etch in to the aluminium.
using sealants will keep your wheels as good as the paintwork.even if your paintwork is clean & shiny, clean wheels and tyre, for me, just finish the job of.
Get some EBC ceramic pads which dont have metal particles…no brake dust on mine since I started using them and road grime wipes off easily.If you keep yoiur existing pads get some P21s which turns dirt into a thick oil after a few mins and rinses off.It is safe to use as doesnt contain any acids and leaves wheels like showroom.