I have white wheels, and I like them. But, I've never been able to get them clean. There is brake dust that will not come off...ever. I've tried lots of stuff...all kinds of wheel cleaners - even P21S. I've used Zaino Clay Bar...Meguiar's Clay Bar...and Ice Liquid Clay Bay...nothing. There are places on my wheel (just inside the webs) where the paint isn't very thick. You can actually see what looks like primer (or the wheel) showing through. These are the trouble spots. Any advice? I've wanted to Zaino the wheels for awhile, but I don't want to wax over brake dust. Thank you.

Seth

 

You'd probably have to start all over at this point.

Wheel prep: have wheels cleaned, primed, and repainted.
Then put multiple applications of Rejex or Liquid Glass on them, allowing time for proper curing.
Replace brake pads with a brand that claims low dust generation.
When you clean the wheels, apply a follow up coat of Rejex or LG.

 

Not sure if I'm willing to go that far at this point. I get made fun of for washing my car as often as I do, and apparently that wasn't enough to prevent this. I might get some low dust brakes and see if that helps some. If it does I might consider a respray...maybe. A powder coat job is a little more than I'm willing to dish out right now. I would assume it would cost at least $100-$150 a wheel...maybe more. Of course, that's just a guess. ...I have to keep priorities straight. Which I'm not always very good at to begin with.

I have a friend that's a big VW fan. He owned a classic beetle for a long time. He would kind of wash the wheels...then tape the tires off and take the spray paint to them. He'd paint over brake dust and all. They didn't look bad. Seriously.

 

Try simple green, it works on my wheels.




Mark

 

WOW!!

 

Be sure to start with a dilution of Simple Green and work your way up if it doesn't sufficiently cut it. At full strength it can dull painted surfaces, as I found out while cleaning an engine bay.

 

Wow! Sweet! Thanks! I have some Simple Green handy. I'll give it a try. Thanks for the comments.

 

Lotsie, I really like your wheels! What are they? (I'm a total noob, awaiting my MCS, due in Sept.)

 

They are 1st generation Holies, and are no longer available. Great wheels, very strong and light, the perfect wheel for a MC.

Yes I forgot to mention, use the Simple Green mixed 50/50 with water, then you can let it soak for a long time, and not harm anything. I will spray an area, then cover it with a damp towel so it really soaks in and lifts the dirt/brake dust. It has never hurt my wheels.

Mark

 

I use simple green at full strength for me. It seems to just lift that nasty dust right off of the wheel.

Diluted would be better for paint. I too found out the hard way. It's good stuff!

 

Nice wheels lotsie...although I am partial, because they are exactly like mine...only yours are cleaner! I'm going to have to repaint them because there is imbedded brake dust. It is well beyond repair...the previous owner obviously never washed the wheels. I may try to sand then polish them first though.

 

How much would it cost to get wheels preped and painted?

 

You would be surprised what a good soaking with simple green will get off.
Spray it on, and keep it wet by laying a damp towel over the area you have sprayed. I have used those green scrubbing pads with a light touch to help work embedded dust off.

Mark

 

hmmm...worth a try before I break out the sand paper!

 

Yesterdays wash/wax results.
Before


After


Mark

 

White wheels are soooooo cooooooool baby! Can they be a pain, they don't have to be. The first day my 05 MC came home, off the wheels came. Wax and Kleenwheels brake dust shields went on. I can go weeks, yes weeks before just road dust makes my wheels look bad. Do I leave them on when I go to the track or the Dragon or any other time I'm going to do some really spirited driving, of course not. Actually my first MOTD I did leave them on and had no problem, of course I was a newbie and going pretty slow. Here's my Mini decked out for the MOTD. I also, use Simple Green to clean the inside of my wheels when I switch sets of Holies.