Dirty Wheels from Brakes!
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 924
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From: Middle East
Dirty Wheels from Brakes!
My front Wheels of my GS460 are becoming black from the carbon from the Brakes.... really eliminating the glitter of the magnificent design :P; any ideas of how to clean them? Will water and a clean towel do the job? or is there a specific chemical?
soap, water, a sponge and some elbow grease. It comes off easily unless you let it sit there for months. There are spray on cleaners to help dissolve/loosen the dust. Any autoparts store has them. Talk to your dealership about having the low dust brake pads installed. There was/is a TSB on that.
steviej
steviej
i say just soap and water.. like steviej said, don't let the dust sit for too long.. be careful with some wheel cleaners though, they leave stains that you can't get rid of. waxing your front wheels might help also.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,154
Likes: 14
From: Toronto
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I never go longer than a week without atleast spraying my wheels with a hose. the longer you wait the harder it is. i only use water because of all the horror stories you hear about wheel cleaners.
if you want to lessen your brake dust, try switching to a ceramic pad which gives off less brake dust.
if you want to lessen your brake dust, try switching to a ceramic pad which gives off less brake dust.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,277
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From: USA
Best to use Meguiars wheel cleaner or even just regular car wash mix.
I would recommend that you regularly wax your wheels. And if your wheels don't feel smooth after washing, clay then wax the wheels. The wheels are a painted surface just like the rest of the car. Regular waxing helps protect the wheel, maintains a smooth an slippery surface, and attracts less dust.
I wax my wheels every 2 weeks.
I would recommend that you regularly wax your wheels. And if your wheels don't feel smooth after washing, clay then wax the wheels. The wheels are a painted surface just like the rest of the car. Regular waxing helps protect the wheel, maintains a smooth an slippery surface, and attracts less dust.
I wax my wheels every 2 weeks.
Driver
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: ca
Try Invisible Glass Cleaner. I've been using it for years and it makes those rims Shine like crazy. Just spray them down liberally and clean off with a cotton rag. It's strips the brake dust off like nothing. The reason it is my favorite is it is a one step process. Even if the dust is caked on, just gun them down heavy with the Invisible Glass and it leaves it streak and spot free. ESPECIALLY CHROME!!
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 824
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From: VA
There is a TSIB to replace pads with dustless ones. I just did it a week ago on my "new to me" 2007 GS450h. Took all of an hour. It helps if you bring the text of the TSIB with you since some service advisors are clueless.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,277
Likes: 3
From: USA
Try Invisible Glass Cleaner. I've been using it for years and it makes those rims Shine like crazy. Just spray them down liberally and clean off with a cotton rag. It's strips the brake dust off like nothing. The reason it is my favorite is it is a one step process. Even if the dust is caked on, just gun them down heavy with the Invisible Glass and it leaves it streak and spot free. ESPECIALLY CHROME!!