Wow these black wheels on my Grandsport sure are delicate 420 miles on them and all marked up with scratches. No curb rash no racing and only out in dry weather ...confused

 

Ever drive on gravel roads?

 

Nope ..

 

I believe the brake dust contributes to the fine scratches. I switched to low-dust pads and notices they haven't got any worse since then.

 

Ok thank you , it's disturbing to say the least thought they would hold up better ... what pads do you have and is breaking the same performance wise. ?

 

For what it's worth, I have scratches in my silver painted wheels. Certainly not from brake dust. I'm thinking road debris must have caused them.

 

The black painted wheels are no different than black cars, with swirl marks more noticeable. Brake dust is like sandpaper, which makes matters worse.

Use a high quality wheel cleaner like Sonax Full Effect (available on Amazon), which is an almost no-touch method of keeping them clean. The less you touch black paint, the fewer swirl marks you make.

 

Have you washed them yet?

The brake dust on that car is a mess. You can switch to a low dust pad such as the Carbotech 1521. This pad performs like OE and is 100% non-corrosive dust will not harm your wheels or paint and 100% made in the USA. A pad description is below If interested I will be happy to help you.


You can purchase here http://ampdautosport.com/brake-pads/corvette/ or call me direct at 216-780-8825 to order. Use promo code z28 at check out and save 5%.

Part #'s F: CT1405 R: CT1718

Carbotech™ Bobcat 1521™ 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. 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. That’s one of the beauties of Carbotech Ceramic brake compounds. Bobcat 1521™ is NOT recommended for any track use.

 

I switched to Carbotech 1521s and am very happy with them.

 

got it so basically pull off polish all scratches out and use that product lol

 

Yes, that's basically it. I know every forum has people raving about this or that product and how great they are, but Sonax truly is amazing. I was a skeptic too, and every other skeptic I know of was converted after using it.

Switching to a low-dusting pad also greatly reduces the necessity of frequent cleaning.

 

Thank you so much again ...

 

I had to remove the brake dust every two trips into town ( ~100 miles) or the wheels not only looked bad the brake dust from my Z51 pads would start to pit my black wheels. I switched to Carbotech 1521 ceramic pads and dust decreased 80 to 85% and more important what little was there did not pit my wheels. After three years my wheels look new.

I now wash the wheels when I wash the car! When I order my GS next year I'll have Carbotech 1521 pads before it comes in. Easy to change pads in the Vette. There are cheaper pads made in China but compared to the car investment, the cost for US made pads is worth not risking brake performance.

 

OP - When the scratches get too bad have your wheels powder coated for about 100 bucks per wheel. You will be glad you did.

 

Time to switch to chrome wheels

 

Clean them, polish them and then coat them with a good ceramic coating.

 

Having the wheels polished . I ordered a wheel cleaner as well. I'm getting new wheels late spring so those will be ceramic pro woth the whole car . And agreed no black titanium

 

I just keep my black cup wheels clean, and they look pristine after 3000K+ miles (I know, it's not much yet), having been driven in rain, dry, and occasional dirt road conditions. Every couple of weeks or whenever I wash my Vette I give the wheels a good shot with a medium-pressure spray washer and follow up with a soapy sponge, then hand-dry.

I do agree that the brake dust is abrasive; that's why I never let it build up much. Same as I've done with all my cars - never had a problem with the brake pad dust killing the finish.

 

If you have the base car, brake dust is reported not to be an issue. With a Z51, GS, and Z06 it is. In fact some folks wanted to change to base pads. As noted, my Carbotech ceramic pads have 80 to 85% less dust and what is there doesn't show and does not pit my black wheels.

I just wash my wheels with the same soap I use for the car and only when I wash it. Prior to installing the Carbotech pads I was washing the wheels every ~100 miles. Not pitting but a big PIA! My 3 year old wheels look new.

 

I also use Sonax. Once I tried it I never looked back.

Best wheel cleaner I have ever found (and I have tried many).