SmokeyMav

Hello Lexus owners, I'm currently an owner of a 2008 IS-F. I'm planning to clean my car during spring break but I don't know what to use to clean my brake dust covered wheels. I once used the regular wheel cleaners but all that did was strip the clear coat of the rims and the color of the brake calipers. I finally resorted to using regular car cleaning shampoo and a sponge w/o a brush.

Can anybody recommend a better way to clean my brake dust coated wheels. Is there some kind of cleaning tools I can use to clean the wheels without damaging it?

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

There are wheel brushes out there that will reach between your spokes. Walmart, pepboys, etc all sell Mother's wheel brush that's effective for cleaning off brake dust.

Next time, add a coat of wax to your wheels. It'll make cleaning a lot easier the next time around.

Lexiss_sc430

iTrader: (2)

soap + water

miniz

Wash your car first, then use the left over soap with a soft brush to scrub down your wheels. That way there will be no acid involved. While you have the wheels wet, use a tire cleaner, then tire gloss. Once clean, put a coat of Z-AINO all-in-one on the wheels. It makes brake dust just wipe right off.

jlt23

I have an ISF as well and the brake dust is horrible. When I was my car I hose it down, then spray P21s wheel cleaner all over them. Then I use a boar hairs brush on the face of the rims and an EZ detail brush for in between the spokes and in the inner side of the rim.

eyezack87

iTrader: (4)

Here's a handy tip I discovered today while working on a CSL-styled e46 M3. Spray some P21S Wheel Gel or Optimum Power Clean on the areas you want to clean. After spraying, wait about 5-10 min or so (don't let dry) then take a pressure washer and blast it away at a safe distance from your wheel. That worked pretty well on the brembo setup the M3 had. Keep in mind that his wheels are regularly maintained so its just new brake dust, not the baked in ones

If theres some left, repeat. If its stuck, then you're on the old methods described above. However, you should be left with relatively less to clean than without doing it

Chris@GlimmerGlass

iTrader: (3)

exactly my thoughts

P21s Wheel Cleaner is ph balanced, so they're about as safe as a wheel cleaner is going to get.
http://www.glimmerglassdetailing.com/p2whcl10.html

If the wheels are real bad, you can jump up to the stronger wheel gel:
http://www.glimmerglassdetailing.com/p2whclgel10.html

And the ez detail brush makes cleaning the inside portion of the rim significantly easier. One of my favorite tools and a must for cleaning wheels imo.
http://www.glimmerglassdetailing.com/ezdetailbrush.html

Now, once you get the wheels cleaned, I'd recommend throwing on some wheel sealant. Its going to make subsequent cleanings significantly easier. Once you clean and dry the wheel, apply a coat to each wheel, then go back and remove. Apply a 2nd (or even 3rd) coat for a good initial layer, then just reapply each time you'd normally rewax the vehicle.
http://www.glimmerglassdetailing.com/wheelsealant1.html

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

I think good old soap and water is the way to go right? I think some products may discolor or scratch the wheel finish..

UncleRay

iTrader: (2)

I usually use Red lion grease and gunk remover from Home depot. Spray, leave, wash, done.

TrendyTodd

iTrader: (6)

LOL, looks like Chris beat me to it Those would have been my exact recommendations.

The only thing I have to add, would be a Swissvax brush for your wheels. Very soft and durable for cleaning the face of the rim. esp good for spokes, lugs, rivets, etc.

Chris@GlimmerGlass

iTrader: (3)

Great minds think alike I guess

That swissvax brush is very nice too btw!!