I have a 2010 GS with the upgraded chrome aluminum wheels. The inside of the wheels, disc brakes , rotors etc. are digusting. I have tried everything to clean them. I went to some shows but can't get anywhere because of my dirty wheels. I was thinking of painting them but the body shop said it is a pain in the neck, alot of work and eventually the paint will break down . Help! Thanks Also, how do I clean the disc brakes they are brown etc.

 

I stole an idea from a ricer guy at the parts store. I lightly sanded the barrel with 320 grit and used black wheel paint followed by three coats of clear for an awesome shine. It really makes the chrome stand out!

 

Are you in 'disgusting' meaning rust from rotors/hubs? brake dust? Both?

 

I thought the barrels of chrome wheels wre already painted grey.

 

I always clean wheel barrels after washing the car. The brake dust will wipe right off if you keep after it. At this point you'll probably have to pull the wheels to scrub them.

 

Yes the inside of the barrel is a dull grey. They are dirty from both brake dust, rust and grease. I have used every cleaner on the market with every brush and sponge !

 

Did you use a high heat black paint ? Did you have to take tires off and disconnect brakes etc. ? So now do they just wipe clean real easy ?

 

The Armor All spray that was discussed here several months ago really works well. I continue to use it with great results. My wifes Buick has some really tough aluminum wheels to clean. Once they were clean, I sprayed the heck out of them...no more problems...The Chrome Five Spokes on mine never seem to get dirty, even the barrels..
LKicklight

 

The paint is a "wheel specific" paint available at ABC Auto Parts. I masked the tires and cut two cardboard "blanks" for placing inside the wheels to minimize overspray. While they were drying I used G2 caliper (yellow) expoxy. Most importantly pressure wash the vents in your rotors to remove the rust and brake dust. I then used a high heat flat black in the vents and all exposed non-braking surface area. I topped this off with ceramic pads and i'm very pleased with the finished look and ease of care!
Good luck!

 

If you're having trouble keeping your wheels clean, try something like Armor All Wheel Protectant (read this thread)...

...or you can strip the paint off the barrels of your wheels (read this thread) and just keep a decent coat of Rejex, Zaino, etc on them.

 

How much do you think it will cost me to have it done at a body shop ? So the finished color is a high gloss black ? The clear coats are high gloss. When you wash the car do they just wipe clean real easy and look just like new ? Thanks

 

All you need to do is replace your brake pads. This will do the trick Carbotech 1521 compound, cut your dust by 50% and stop just like stock if not better. Contact me at 216-780-8825 I offer 7% forum discount. We offer single piece pads and the pucks.


The Carbotech Bobcat 1521™ is our high performance street compound that is our most successful compound. The Bobcat compound is known for its awesome release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. Like our AX™ & XP™ line of compounds, Bobcat 1521™ is a Ceramic based friction material offering minimal rotor damage and non corrosive dust. Bobcat 1521™ offers outstanding performance, even when cold, low dusting and low noise with an excellent initial bite. This compound’s virtually perfect linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Bobcat 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 900°F. Bobcat 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle, police cruiser, and has won multiple SCCA Solo 2 and Prosolo National Championships. The Bobcat 1521™ compound has been found to last two-three times longer than OE pads you can purchase at a dealership or national retailer. Bobcat 1521™ compound has also been found to extend the life of your rotors 2-3 times. That’s one of the beauties of Carbotech Ceramic brake compounds. Bobcat 1521™ is NOT recommended for any track use.

 

Going through the trouble of painting the barrels black make no sense at all. Just put ceramic pads on and be done with it.

 

I have found the pressure nozzle at the self wash station cleans the junk right off the barrels. Maybe I should by a cheap pressure washer at Lowe's.

 

After you clean it get rid of the stock pads.

 

Ceramic pads or any pad doesn't ride in or clean the rusty air vanes in the center of the rotors. You must first treat the disease (rotor rust) before you treat the symtoms (brake dust) or everytime you wash the brake area you will have rusty water on the barrels, just sayin.

 

It's virtually impossible to remove and prevent rust from the air vanes. Mine were stripped and zinc plated when new but the vane area will always be an issue. Anyway the OP is talking about dirt in the wheel barrel.