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[MikeMcBMW]

I am just about one month into ownership of my 128i, and I have two key impressions:

1) this car is pure JOY
2) brake dust SUCKS

I used some of the armor-all wheel protectant, which has helped, but hasn't eliminated the problem. I now realize that wheel cleaning will become a weekly (or greater) task for me.

Has anyone tested out the wheel cleaners that pop into a cordless power drill? If so, please share your experiences with us.

Thanks,

M

[Cisitalia]

Forget all that band aid stuff and cleaners. Just go out and get Cool Carbon brake pads and replace the stock ones. These pads have a more linear progressive feel without the bad initial bite of the stock pads. Also the big beauty of these pads is they don't dust nearly as much as stock pads. I would say they dust about half as much. The dusting is more gray than black. Well worth the expense and effort. I replaced mine about three months after ownership.

[dcho]

armorall wheel protectorant is suprisingly effective at keeping dust off as well

[bet]

No need for the power drill stuff. Good car shampoo and sponge will get off the brake dust with very little effort. Essentially, wet with hose, wipe with sponge/soap water, rinse and maybe a repeat depending on how thorough you are on the first wash. If you really want clean wheels then get a sponge (covered in microfiber) with a handle (Target has them for $3) and you clean the entire inside portion of the wheel. Takes me 15 minutes to clean all 4 wheels (including the inside portion of the rim). Sonax is great when you are in a real hurry and don't care if the wheel is completely clean.

[MikeMcBMW]

Sounds like I have soap, water and elbow grease in my weekend plans...

Now I have to come up with a plan to convince the wife 'we' need a power washer!

[thez99]

Go look at Chemical Guys's site. They have everything you could possibly need for washing, detailing and preserving the car's look. Their wheel cleaner is awesome. You just spray it on the wheel, let it sit for 2 minutes, scrub the wheel with a soft wheel scrubber and spray, wheel is completely clean thereafter.

http://www.chemicalguys.com/Applicat...ries_s/146.htm

Trust me, youll be on their site for hours drooling over all the sweet stuff they offer

[psalm40]

Sonex Full Effect Wheel cleaner (your wheels will BLEED! If you don't know what I mean, Google search some pics) with a Daytona Speed Master brush and repetitive cleaning is your best option. There is no shortcut. A wheel sealant such as PoorBoy's may keep the stuff from permanently damaging the wheel's finish.
Changing brake pads (see above post) is your only "prevention."

[Harlequin]

I'm using Poorboys Wheel Wax... quite like it... and it smells nice

You need to get a few coats on for best results but once you do all it needs is a quick hose and a wipe and they're spotless again...

- Harlequin

[miro2296]

if you want to ELIMINATE the problem, then you are better off getting different pads for your car as said in post# 2 IMO

[Esmallstii]

Originally Posted by Cisitalia

Forget all that band aid stuff and cleaners. Just go out and get Cool Carbon brake pads and replace the stock ones. These pads have a more linear progressive feel without the bad initial bite of the stock pads. Also the big beauty of these pads is they don't dust nearly as much as stock pads. I would say they dust about half as much. The dusting is more gray than black. Well worth the expense and effort. I replaced mine about three months after ownership.

Cool Carbons and Armor all wheel protectant, and I can go almost a month without scrubbing the wheels. A quick hosing off gets them 90% clean