How the heck does one go about getting off the 'ground in' brakedust off of the STi BBS rims? I've used toothbrushes, dawn, simple green, nylon brushes, washcloths, sponges, hard hard hard scrubbing, but to no avail. Can anyone offer me a cleaner or brush or a combination of the both that will get this blasted junk off of these rims?

 

Thats it?

I thought I was meticulous about my car!

How about a Dremel?

 

Try a "Cleaner Wax" like Meguiar's.

 

The cleaner wax should work. The Dremel can burn the clearcoat on the wheel and leave a dull spot. If the wax doesn't work, try the Mothers clay bar and then wax the spot. The clay will get most impurities out of the paint.

 

I agree. I'd think a clay bar would do the trick.

 

Try a clearcoat-safe bug and tar remover. It works - from experience...

 

Have you tried a metal cleaner or polisher like mothers or eagle one that is safe for rims? they work really good at getting the cooked on break dust and grease from the inside of the rims

 

i suppose brake cleaner is a dumb suggestion because no one elese posted it so there must be a reason

 

Kuonji,
Got a chance to try PS21 on a wheel with dust, fine dirt and very minor etching (not quite as severe as yours). I expected to be able to spray on and wash off everything. 1st application did not work as expected. 2nd application with elbow grease did work successfully in removing all black residue on the "A" surface as well as the inner wheel area. I've got three more to clean on another above 32 degree day.

Donttryme

 

I have the same thing on my wheels. I use a soft toothbrush and Meguires cleaner wax (in the maroon) bottle. After a little light scrubbing wipe it off with a clean rag. That seems to take it right off and put a nice polish on them too. I think the wax helps prevent future buildups. I wouldn't use a dremmel, but what to I know.

 

If your wheels are painted or powdercoated, I would NOT use any kind of metal cleaner designed for wheels. It will eat through your finish. Maybe not right away, but in time it will. I learned the hard way a long time ago. I do occasionally use eagle wheel cleaner designed for painted wheels though. You can get it at any auto parts store.

 

The wheels are clearcoated, so you only want to use products that specifically state clearcoat safe. You also should not make a habit of using abrasives of any type. As stated in other replies do not use any type of cleaner formulated for metal rims (like metal polish). Again any product you use should clearly state clearcoat safe! Again, clearcoat safe, otherwise over time and multiple uses it will cause any number of problems from spotting to blotching to delamination of clearcoat and permanent wheel damage.

Dontryme

 

j.reed,
I know how to use my Dremel but I'm just thinking of the common person who may not and try to use it in a way they never have before. Look at the rpm's a Dremel can turn compared to a buffer and look at how many burn the clearcoat with a buffer.It gets done every day.