Purchased a 2006 Mini S Convertible on 10/31/05. Now that winter is loosening its grip on Chicago, we were able to finally hand wash the car earlier today. I found a lot of black break dust on the wheels, particularly on the front wheels. I found it very difficult to remove the dust. I tried a degreaser and then gasoline. Even after considerable rubbing the wheels are coated with black specs. Is this a common problem? Solutions?

(The Mini has the standard size wheels with run-flat tires.)

 

Hey, Freddy (if that is your *real* name...). :-) Are you a CMMC member?

Welcome to the horrible world of stock MINI brakes. Some say the brake pads are made of chalk. We know them only as "stock brake pads". (points for figuring out where I hijacked that line from)

I really don't know what to tell you about cleaning them. It isn't easy under the best of conditions, and degreaser and gasoline (!) sound pretty harsh. I typically use a soft-bristled brush and regular car wash. Waxing them (once clean) might or might not help *keep* them clean, but should make them *easier* to clean.

Really, your best line of defense is to get some non-OEM pads that throw less dust.

One more thing to try might be that Turtle Wax (?) Bug-n-Tar Remover. It usually works pretty well, but I think it does remove wax, too. Just so you know.

 

Claybar also works well to remove that extra stuff from the wheels.

 

I'm having the same dilemma. I picked up my '06 MCS on 10/28/05 and I've avoided taking the MINI to the carwash and done all the washes by hand so far - despite the cold winter temps. I must admit to not being as through as I normally would be - once your hands start going numb and the driveway has turned into an ice skating rink you tend to start cutting corners. As a result, I didn't really do a great job on the wheels - just basically got off the heavy brake dust.

My problem is that today while trying to give the car a really good cleaning (it sure felt like spring today here in NY so I figured now was a great time) I couldn't get all the dust off. I too have some specs of brake dust that seem to be embedded into or baked onto the wheels. What gives?

I've owned BMWs for many years and am quite used to dealing with brake dust. Both of my BMWs have PAGID pads which work well, but do dust a good deal. However, when I clean the wheels the dust pretty much all comes off - even though the wheels are quite old.

I can't figure why the MINI is giving me such a hard time. I may change pads in the future, but seeing as I have free scheduled maintenance for the first three years, I'm inclined to leave the stock pads in there for now. A number of people had recommended waxing the wheels when I first got the car, but I didn't listen - I will try that now assuming I can get off the dust that seems to be baked on there first. Anyone have any tips?

 

I get those same black specs too. Almost looks like a tar build-up. I haven't tried anything to get rid of them yet though. I did wax the wheels once (using meguiars gold class) and it makes the loose dust come off with just a rinse of water.

 

If you do a search in the detailing forum you'll find a lot of answers on the subject. Tell you the truth, the best remedy is preventive medicine, that stuff is SO hard to get rid off...First thing to do is to replace you pads with EBC green stuff pads. They do as well (if not better) of a job with 99% less dust. Job two is to wax the wheels. After that, I can promise you brake dust will be a thing of the past
I have an 03' with white wheels and brake dust is no longer a problem...

 

I would change out the pads, but until you do try Orange Blast wheel cleaner. It is made to remove brake dust and road grime.

 

most wheel cleaners should be able to remove brake dust. I've noticed that a lot of them contain oxalic acid. I don't know if they still do, since it's not a very environmentally or health friendly substance, but it sure does a good job of breaking down the black dust.

I don't think the commercial products would contain a high enough concentration of oxalic acid to be dangerous unless swallowed, but it makes me wonder if a dilute solution of vinegar in water might be effective. Chemically, they're kind of similar.

And I don't know what sort of long-term effects either acetic or oxalic acid would have on painted wheels. I wouldn't expect serious problems.

 

If at all possible try to find a wheel cleaner that is ph-balanced. Acidic chemicals will breakdown the paint finish over time. Also be take care not to scrub too hard, you can strip the paint. Other than that, the other suggestions about EBC pads and wasing the wheels are excellent. That will definately solve the brake dust problem. By the way, Sonus sells a good ph-balanced cleaner. You can find it at www.autopia-carcare.com.

 

I forgot, claying will help get those little black specs out of your wheels.

I suspect that the Mini wheel paint is relatively soft. Pure speculation. It did not take long for me to see those little black specs on my wheels. If you decide to really get after the wheels, you should probably take one wheel off at a time and clean and wax the WHOLE thing. In and out. That will provide maximum protection and when you wash your wheels, the brake dust that gets caked inside the wheel and on the backside will spray off a little easier with just some water and wheel cleaner.

 

yea, my front rims are always getting soo dirty. it gets very annoying indeed.

 

I would stay away from gas or anything that harsh.
Waxing is somethin I had not thought about.
I use "CYCLE CLEAN" from local Motor Cycle store. THIS STUFF WORKS.

I even thought about buying in bulk, repacking and selling to the MINI world.

 

I just use Mothers California Gold Car Wash, Mothers PowerBall and a Power Drill. Gets them real clean.

 

Let me start by saying I am a girl & I will not be removing my wheels to clean anything. That said, I wash my mini weekly to clean off the brake dust but over time large black specs have built up towards the back of my wheels (past where the spoke-like things are). I can reach them but not easily so that are doesn't get cleaned as well when I wash weekly. I have the silverish painted wheels. What is effective & safe to use for getting rid of those black specs? I will not use any of the auto-store spray on rinse off products as I have personally seen those products damage wheel finish. Yesterday I washed clay-barred & waxed my Mini. I tried the clay bar on my black specs & laughed when I remembered all the posts I have seen on NAM about how the caybar cleans the black specs. Claybar didn't even begin to remove then. I tried til my arm nearly fell off .

I may try bug & tar remover next & am interested in the "cycle clean" mentioned earlier. Will cycle clean remove built up black specs or is it only good for weekly cleaning of fresh brake dust (which normal car shampoo will do also)?

Or does anyone have a good & safe (relatively easy) recomendation for built-up black specs?

I found some stuff called P21S gel wheel cleaner online. Claims to be non-acidic & recommended by BMW. Anyone tried it?

 

Another line of defense is this stuff: http://www.wheelwax.com/ . I have some, and it seems to work fairly well.

 

That wheelwax stuff looks really good & I have added it to my must try list but I will be ready for a good defense soon but for now I need a good offense gotta get the old black specs off so I can try to prevent future ones

 

P21S in gel form is great. Leave it on for a few hours after application and then hose it off. You can then apply WheelWax to finish the job off.

 

i didn't read the posts above, but if anyone hasn't mentioned it,
try Meguiar's CleanerWax. that's wat i use on my commuters when
the grime is difficult to remove.

 

I noticed some stubborn spots on my white wheels where it's hard to get the dust off. It's in the area where the paint has some orange peel to the finish. I guess I'll have to use some more elbow grease when the weather is warmer.

Anybody tried the Michelin brake dust repellant?

 

I like the S100 Harley Davidson tire cleaner... Spray it on, leave it a minute and it practically melts off.

I too vote for the claybar if you are still having problems...

Then wax em to help keep em clean...

 

I use my old mit wash once a week, and keep a spare towel in the boot, see gettin real dirty, wipe 'em down, lots of scrubbing if you put it off cause the grime bakes onto the wheels.

 

i just use NXT techwax.

 

I'm not really sure I recommend this, but whenever I can't get something off and I'm not particularly concerned as to what might happen I go with brake parts cleaner. I haven't encountered any sticky grimy oily substance it won't take off. I've hit plastic hubs and painted steel rims with it to take off brake dust with no ill effects, but never anything I'd consider valuable.

I've had alot of success using it to remove adhesives as well, it just seems to break them down if given the time, also seen it dissolve some foams. I always use it to clean my tools, top of the oil drain pan and funnels when I finish a job. It will also clean your hands real good after a day under the hood when gojo just won't get the job done, a quick spritz under the finger nails can save alot of scrubbing time, of course use the gojo afterwords unless you really enjoy the parts cleaner scent. I generally use the generic stuff from advanced auto parts stores, seems to work just as well as the brand name stuff like Brakleen.

 

Yep, every week Ducky gets a bath whether he needs it or not...but mostly because of the "dirty" wheels (brake dust)...same problem...Had it with Ms. Kitty too. Seems to be a characteristic of the MC/MCS....Plain old car detergent (whatever I'm washing Ducky with) seems to do the trick. Micki

 

I went through this on my oem x-lites. I clayed, used solvents, clayed, scrubbed, basically did everything short of explosives, and I still didn't get ALL of the specs off.

Note to self - get new brake pads before getting new rims.

mb