12-08-2011, 10:38 PM | #1 |
First Lieutenant
60
Rep 348
Posts |
Little problem after track event - need help
Track event last weekend. Two full days. Rained both days. Hawk DTC-70 pads. Stock wheels and tires. Was traveling this week and couldn't wash my filthy car until today. Brake dust appears to be baked on. It must have been a combination of DTC-70 brake dust that was wet when it hit the wheels, combined with some heat and sitting for 5 days. Whatever the reason, this stuff won't come off. I'm afraid to try anything abrasive. Standard wheel cleaner has no affect. If I scrub one spot for a few minutes with a wash mit and soap I can make some progress. And I can scratch it off with my finger nail, so I know if can be removed.
Any ideas what works good on baked on brake dust? |
12-08-2011, 11:01 PM | #2 |
Second Lieutenant
2
Rep 258
Posts |
Sonax Full Effect wheel cleaner FTW. Bar none the best wheel cleaner I've ever used. Check the cosmetics section of the forum to see if you can find any deals.
I love this stuff so much I bought a 5 liter jug of it. I keep a small spray bottle of it in the trunk and clean off the wheels if I'm near a hose. |
Appreciate
0
|
12-08-2011, 11:08 PM | #3 | |
First Lieutenant
60
Rep 348
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-09-2011, 09:29 AM | #4 |
Banned
7909
Rep 11,785
Posts |
Hawk swears this doesn't happen any more but it's been a hawk pad "feature" since the HAWK BLUE.
The combination of the pad, water, and time (letting it sit for a few days)causes the pad material to rust. I cleaned a set of my friends wheels with a light Brillo pad, but they weren't brand new wheels. It took a lot of elbow grease and i also couldn't get it all off. I actually cleaned the wheels because my friend didn't care to take the time and effort. I had borrowed his wheels and the rust I annoyed me so much I just went to work. At any rate, work quickly and you may have a chance at cleaning them up. I'm not smitten by the hawk initial bite, so I've always avoided hawk pads because of this. If the rust/dust is on the paint on the car, not sure what to recommend, sorry. |
Appreciate
0
|
12-09-2011, 09:38 AM | #5 | |
European Editor
10759
Rep 22,992
Posts |
Quote:
I really like using P21S gel - wheel cleaner myself. baked on brake dust - help http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...t=oven+cleaner |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-09-2011, 11:01 AM | #6 |
Lieutenant
27
Rep 401
Posts
Drives: 2011 Saphire Black 1M Coupé
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: 300km to the Nordschleife
|
I run Hawks on my e36 racecar. And that gets cleaned immediately after a race or a trackday for exactly that reason. To get that stuff off is going to be one tough cookie!
The team that maintains my car explained it to me, as follows: These metal particles are extremely hot, when they land on bits of the car and they can actually melt into the clearcoat. If that happens... and you do not take care of it immediately, then there is simply no way besides scrubbing / sanding and repainting. My e36 is a racecar... I honestly don't care if it has a few scratches. But I would never run Hawks on any car that isn't "track only".
__________________
The best piece of road - worldwide.
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-09-2011, 01:54 PM | #8 | |
First Lieutenant
60
Rep 348
Posts |
Quote:
I have a set of track wheels that don't give me any trouble with my hawk pads. This was the first time I used my stock wheels since it was so wet and I used my street tires. I suppose the clear coat on the stock wheels could be contributing to the issue. And I get the theory that hot pad material can get cooked on, but last weekend was 40 degrees and 100% wet, with constant drizzle. I don't think the pads got much of a work-out. I think Mark is right, this stuff has rusted to the clear coat. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-10-2011, 05:53 PM | #11 | ||
Second Lieutenant
2
Rep 258
Posts |
Quote:
And to those saying P21S wheel cleaner if you go in the detailing forum you can find some comparisons between sonax full effect and P21S and the sonax wins. |
||
Appreciate
0
|
12-17-2011, 10:41 AM | #13 |
Major General
4457
Rep 9,160
Posts |
Easy Off is a last resort, start with clay and a light polish, then try a degreaser like Simple Green, then try a tar remover. If non of those work, Easy Off might be worth a try. I use Hawk pads for the track and try to make sure my wheels have a recent coat of sealant on them before track sessions.
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-17-2011, 01:53 PM | #14 |
Second Lieutenant
2
Rep 258
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-17-2011, 04:36 PM | #15 |
First Lieutenant
60
Rep 348
Posts |
Here is what I'm dealing with - see pic below.
So far I've tried: Greased Lightning degreaser Griotts heavy duty wheel cleaner Bug and tar remover LCR rust remover Vinegar Gasoline Oven cleaner - let it set for 30 minutes Nothing is very effective. I suspect I could get it all clean with hours and hours of scrubbing, then be left with a damaged finish. The pic is one small section of one wheel. Even the lug holes are caked with this junk. Granted the rears are in good shape, but both fronts are trashed. I think I'm going to surrender and get my wheels refinsihed. New question - what finish would resist baked on brake dust better, painted or powder coated? |
Appreciate
0
|
12-18-2011, 01:59 AM | #16 |
Banned
7909
Rep 11,785
Posts |
Thanks for uploading the pic, as I have a feeling most don't know exactly what you are dealing with.
I was able to scrub without ruining the finish, but the spokes on the 5 spoke wheels I cleaned were still a pain and the little nooks and crannies were impossible. Working to get this stuff off will leave your fingers sore for days. I was kinda hoping the easy off would work for you. |
Appreciate
0
|
12-18-2011, 12:24 PM | #17 |
Stay Ripping
60
Rep 550
Posts |
I had the same issues on previous wheels. It will take alot of scrubbing, oven cleaner and simple green. The finish will survive this treatment a couple of times. Its very time consuming and almost better to just get them refinished. I found that the PFC material is not as corrosive when wet in comparison to the Hawks.
__________________
THE GOBBLER- S.O.H
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-19-2011, 09:35 AM | #19 |
Major
72
Rep 1,239
Posts |
I would try some P21s Gel Wheel cleaner. Put it on and let it sit for a couple of hours. I would bet that would do it.
__________________
● 2015 Cayman S (Current), 2011 1M BSM #297 (Sold), 2008 135i (Sold) ● |
Appreciate
0
|
12-19-2011, 12:48 PM | #20 |
Major
452
Rep 1,358
Posts |
'Wheel repair by Adam'. Located off of Harry Hines. They do excellent work and will cost about $150 ea to repaint. I've got a buddy that just had his M5 wheels done there and they look fantastic.
Also a place called Wheel Technologies off 35 is supposed to do good work as well. Last edited by robertm; 12-19-2011 at 12:55 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
12-19-2011, 08:09 PM | #21 |
Second Lieutenant
9
Rep 270
Posts |
Not that it helps now but I always liberally apply wax (not wiping off) to my rims prior to a track dry. It helps tremendously with the rubber and brake dust build up.
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-19-2011, 09:48 PM | #22 | |
First Lieutenant
60
Rep 348
Posts |
Quote:
Anyone know which paint option would be best - paint or powder coat? |
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|