Removing baked on brake dust

[Regdog77]

I have an old set of wheels (14yo) that have a great deal if brake dust caked on the inner barrels and lip of the wheels. I have used meguairs all wheel cleaner as well as mothers and have been able to get some off. Looking for tips on how to completely remove it so I can paint and polish the face and wheels.

[Detailing by M]

Re: Removing baked on brake dust

you'll need some small felt wheels/cones/pads to get into that tight of a place.

[Regdog77]

Re: Removing baked on brake dust

Could I use a dremel with felt pads to get in there. Any polish or cleaners to use on the wheel. In the second pic you can really see how caked on the brake dust is the barrel.

[Detailing by M]

Re: Removing baked on brake dust

Dremel tool is way to weak. you need felt tips for a drill. I'd start with Meg's Heavy Duty Metal Polish.
You'll also have to clean the rim very well. I'd do a heavy acid wash, but you have to know what your doing and it's not for amateurs.
A brush, soap and water will do a good job too. You might even have to scrape the crude off but again this isn't for amateurs. You might put some heavy scratches into the aluminum.

[Ghawk]

Re: Removing baked on brake dust

Have you tried a Iron remover yet, like Iron X, Sonax Full Effect, Ammo Plum, or the upcoming Meguiar's DUB Wheel Cleaner. I would recommend trying those first to see how much it would help removing that caked on brake deposit.

[Murr1525]

Re: Removing baked on brake dust

I can't tell if those are pitting or surface deposits?

[Regdog77]

Re: Removing baked on brake dust

I can't tell if those are pitting or surface deposits?

They are surface deposits.

[Regdog77]

Re: Removing baked on brake dust

Dremel tool is way to weak. you need felt tips for a drill. I'd start with Meg's Heavy Duty Metal Polish.
You'll also have to clean the rim very well. I'd do a heavy acid wash, but you have to know what your doing and it's not for amateurs.
A brush, soap and water will do a good job too. You might even have to scrape the crude off but again this isn't for amateurs. You might put some heavy scratches into the aluminum.

Sounds like I need to have a wheel shop refinish them instead of trying to do it myself.

[The Guz]

Re: Removing baked on brake dust

How about some 000 or 0000 steel wool with soap and water?

[MikeFord]

Re: Removing baked on brake dust

If you plan to paint, seems to me that is the issue to address, how to prep the surface for painting and that depends on the wheel, the paint, and what sort of results you expect.

I don't think you can expect best results with the wheel on the car or the tire on the wheel. Are you going to powder coat, or rattle can?

For DIY, buy a used wheel to practice on.

[Regdog77]

Re: Removing baked on brake dust

I plan to have the wheels separated from the tire. Mikeford you are correct as I am trying to prep the wheels the best I can before rattle canning the face and polishing the lips. I am having the hardest time though just getting them cleaned up. I might just have to take them to be done professionally. I really wanted to try and diy.

[Detailing by M]

Re: Removing baked on brake dust

since you are going to re paint them then any damage you cause by removing that crud will be hidden.
So take a brass brush to them or steel wool

[STRIFE]

Re: Removing baked on brake dust

Another cheap solution would be plastidip, I've done 3 sets of wheels for my 3 vehicles, and must say I'm pretty pleased.
Plastidip comes in many colors and metalizers...just a suggestion