Cobra4B

I have a set of Z06 motorsports wheels to put on my yellow car as I've sold my CCW classics. They came off my '98 trackrat which has racing pads. The car sat for awhile in the rain and the brake dust has turned to rust around all of the bolt holes.

In the past this has been a huge PITA to get off of wheels that you care about. So... any tips for getting it off? I remember seeing that someone on here used oven cleaner w/ success. Also, could I use that non-chlorinated brake cleaner that's safe on paint?

Thanks,
Brian

drivinhard

start with mild before you go wild.

get a no scratch scotch-brite pad, and try simple green first (also, PB blaster, of all things, works well to).

I got a lot of stubborn/aged track brake dust off some old wheels awhile back using both. Don't be afraid to really dig you finger into the pad, and scrub hard.

if that doesn't work you can try something more abrasive

Cobra4B

These are painted black... not so sure I want to take a scotch-brite to them. Looking for something to disolve/loosen the dust.

Timz06

I had that happen to a couple of my wheels and it was impossible to get off.

Tim

Cobra4B

Not what I wanted to hear!

flink

If it's mainly ferric (it probably is) then you could try Oxalic acid, which will dissolve
rust. It's a fairly weak acid and probably won't hurt the paint.

Of course, do a test spot first.

Oxalic acid is highly poisonous.

drivinhard

the no scratch ones aren't abrasive like the regular scotch brite, I have used them on painted wheels w/ no problems.

dvandentop

maybe try some clay bar? idk if it would be enough to get the brake dust off though

Bret01Z06

Claybar and if that wont work, compound.

Cobra4B

No way to get claybar around the bolt areas... these are reproducting Z06 motorsport wheels.

I'm going to try simple green first, then step it up from there.

John Shiels

Sure Kleen 600 as your last resort. I use it to clean masonry walls. Not fun to work with if you don't know how. It will take it off with no scratches with a soft acid brush to apply and rinse with water. Did it many manys on my OEM GS wheels before it took it's toll on them. Stuff was a thick as a potato chip at times when it came off.

I also have a synthetic acid used to clean cement trucks and it is not supposed to harm paint on trucks or dull aluminum but never tried it.

Cobra4B

Where can I get something like that? (sure kleen).

RUN4CVR

Wow, this just happened to me for the first time this weekend. I thought my CCW's were rusting at first, but knew that wasn't a real possibility.

I used a kitchen sponge, the kind that has that rough plastic surface on the back side and I did alot of scrubbing. All the corners of the spokes where water accumulated had some really thick build up, so I had to scrub pretty hard. I used regular car wash soap as a lubricant.

There was also alot of rust around the lug nuts, but I am going to wait until they come off the car to work on those areas.

I also debated hitting them with a powerwasher, but the sponge trick worked pretty good so I never got the PW out of the garage.

Kubs

Have you tired a wheel and tire cleaner used when washing your car? I use the Eagle One on both street and track wheels. I spray it on, let it sit for 30sec to a min and then scrub with a sponge or no scratch pad and hose off. I do inside the wheel too and it always comes out looking new!