Any tips on removing Brake dust/Carbon deposits?

"Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy" (zipppyart) 05/18/2014 at 14:39 • Filed to: None

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Scotch brite pads? Steel wool?

My father's car's exhaust tip has some carbon deposits, like the image attached, and the wheels have brake dust pretty much embedded into them. I'm interested in polishing those up.

lonestranger > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 05/18/2014 at 14:51

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Former pro detailer here.

Wheels: I'm assuming they're painted alloys? Get a liquid wheel cleaner that has acid in it. Let it sit for a minute, but don't let it dry. Scrub with a soft brush (like an old toothbrush) if needed. Don't use Scotchbrite or steel wool on painted or powdercoated wheels, or any painted surface for that matter.

If they're chromed steel (be it disc or wire), you can use extra fine steel wool.

Exhaust tip: Try the wheel acid and scrub with some extra-fine steel wool. You might not even need the acid.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > lonestranger 05/18/2014 at 14:53

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Ah yes, the acid wheel cleaner. I'm detailing part time, and the wheel cleaner burns when the smell gets to my throat.

Arben72 > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 05/18/2014 at 15:03

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Try some mothers metal polish to clean it up with a terry towel. I think that should get the exhaust for you.

oldirtybootz > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 05/18/2014 at 15:21

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Indeed it does. I breathe that shit in on the daily.

hike > lonestranger 05/18/2014 at 16:02

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I might have to try that steel wool tip. The exhaust tips on my dad's C250 aren't don't even look chrome anymore, it's awful.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy 05/18/2014 at 21:28

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Degreaser.

DoubleDragon > lonestranger 05/19/2014 at 17:08

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Hi LS! hey doesn't the acid damage the wheels?

DoubleDragon > lonestranger 05/19/2014 at 17:09

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i just use microfibre for my chrome wheels. and warm water. comes off fine, but then I chose wheels that are also easy to clean.

knocked out a balancing weight that was stuck to the wheel though :

lonestranger > DoubleDragon 05/19/2014 at 19:15

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Depending on the type and strength of the acid, and depending on the type of wheel finish, it might damage the wheels. For instance, a bare polished aluminum wheel will be dulled by just about any acid. But virtually all factory car wheels and most aftermarket ones are either painted, clear coated, or both. Unless a strong commercial-grade acid is left to sit so long that it dries, these wheels will be fine.