Crap, what if I have factory GS460 wheels? Are they painted? Will WD40 hurt them?

 

all factory wheels are painted. i don't think wd40 will hurt, but at the same time i would make sure i wipe it down clean

 

WD40 is basically oil. If the paint on the car is oil based then it would damage it, but I don't think automotive paint is oil based so you should be fine.

However it's not the best product to use. I would use carwash followed by wax. Clay occassionally if needed. Think of the factory wheels the same as your fenders.

 

Yeah but, the problem is that the brake dust wont wash off. I need some more aggressive.

 

If it doesn't wash off with car wash, then your clearcoat has become rough. I would clay and wax. I don't believe anyone who clays and waxes their wheels can say the wheel doesn't wash clean.

 

agreed, if it's clean surface, brake dust usually don't stick that hard. unless dust is let stay on the wheel for a long time allowing time and heat for the dust to eat into the clear / paint (it will happen).

problem with using wax is heat. wheels get considerably hotter than normal body panel. it will help prevent dust sticking, but you will need to do it often to maintain the layer

 

True, any wax without the addition of synthetic polymers will evaporate from the heat. You may want to try using either a high temp resistant sealant or Collinite Insulator Wax #845. They call it a wax, but it behaves more like a sealant with extreme durability and heat resistance. I've had just one coat on the wheels for 5 months now and it's still there! With wax it's gone after a week, and the longest a sealant has lasted on the wheels was just over 1 and a half months.

For cleaning just use a brush and some car wash soap. You shouldn't need anything harsher than some elbow grease. I find synthetic brushes are superior on the wheels, as I have a boars hair wheel brush but don't use it as it's too soft to really agitate the brake dust.

 

It won't hurt anything. It's a petroleum product, and oil gets on painted surfaces all the time... think of when you get the car rust proofed. That stuff gets everywhere.

I've been washing my motorcycle wheels with WD40 since I bought it in 05, the wheels are painted silver with a clear coat the same as most automotive wheels and they look good as new.

Alternative to WD40 which works well is automotive Simple Green. Simple Green is much more expensive degreaser and IMO doesn't really do as good of a job as WD40 but the bonus is that it's biodegradable and doesn't pollute at all. So, if you're worried about WD40 and/or wash your wheels so much that you're afraid of the pollution then it's a good alternative.

 

Yeah. The only other advice I have is that it is possible (not certain) that brake dust is toxic, so I would avoid inhaling it or getting it on your skin. I tend to hose as much off as possible from a distance, then wear gloves and use a brush. I don't sponge with my hands.

http://www.particleandfibretoxicolog...content/6/1/30

Also has anyone tried these Michelin products? One of them is a brake dust repellent.
http://www.michelinman.com/tire-care...care-products/

Here;s a review of the repellent.
http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-det...ne-w-pics.html

 

you can change out your stock break pads for some high performance ceramic pads and you won't have so much black dust on your wheels.

Hawk makes some good ones.

 

try a can of coke...you will be surprise...

 

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Modeler, Which dealer in VA/MD area did your brakes(TSIB) ? Is there any other TSIB(not brakes) for GS450h is important? Thanks.

 

Simple green straight from the bottle works pretty good

 

you can use a wheel cleaner, just buy 1 safe for chrome, only apply when its COLD and wash it off with a cheap sponge and a hose. dont let it bake on in the sun.



no big deal, works perfect.