Carbon Ceramic Brakes - what cleaner?

[PPLd]

Dear all,

I have an upcoming car that is equipped with carbon ceramic brakes to be detailed.
They are really expensive and I heard that regular wheel cleaners will destroy them.

Does Meguiar's make a product that can safely clean those wheels and brakes?
Thanks...

[The Guz]

Re: Carbon Ceramic Brakes - what cleaner?

Could you provide what type of car this is so we know what you are working with.

[Ghawk]

Re: Carbon Ceramic Brakes - what cleaner?

I would go as safe as possible, just use a soap and wash mitt for the rims. If there is heavy buildup that cannot be removed, my suggestion would be to remove the wheels so as not to hurt the brakes. That is not always an option, but the last thing you want to do is screw up $7,000 brakes! Just play this one really safe!

Must be a super nice car!

Griffith Hawk

[PPLd]

Re: Carbon Ceramic Brakes - what cleaner?

Could you provide what type of car this is so we know what you are working with.

Sure thing, that is a Porsche Boxster with PCCB.
I did some searching online. Some people said wheel cleaners will trash the brakes, some said it is fine the brakes are not that fragile they can stand up against track use.

Before I do anything I would like to hear what detailing experts say. The last thing I want to see is "ops I screwed up.."

[davey g-force]

Re: Carbon Ceramic Brakes - what cleaner?

I would go as safe as possible, just use a soap and wash mitt for the rims. If there is heavy buildup that cannot be removed, my suggestion would be to remove the wheels so as not to hurt the brakes. That is not always an option, but the last thing you want to do is screw up $7,000 brakes! Just play this one really safe!

Must be a super nice car!

Griffith Hawk

^^ This. Just go as mild as possible and use a bit more elbow grease.

[The Guz]

Re: Carbon Ceramic Brakes - what cleaner?

I would do what was said with soap and water to see if that works. You could look into a tire cleaner that has a neutral PH like sonax, scholl or griots. I'm not sure if D143 non-acid wheel and tire cleaner would be ok to use on the calipers. Hopefully someone can answer that.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Carbon Ceramic Brakes - what cleaner?

We're actually more concerned with the finish on the calipers and rotor hats than the rotors themselves. The carbon ceramic material of the rotors is pretty tough stuff but the finish on the calipers and rotor hats could be surprisingly delicate and that's what you really need to be careful about. Either stick with soap and water, or go with our Aluminum Wheel Cleaner and an assortment of brushes to better reach all the areas in need of cleaning.