I have a 16 Z51 with the factory painted yellow calipers. After only 650 miles they're already disgusting. Anybody have good tips on cleaning them effectively and also helping to keep them clean?

 

I would try a dishwashing detergent. The chemical components are not harsh so the Corvette decal should not be destroyed. I have the standard base gunmetal gray and never had an issue.

 

Sonax Full Effect wheel cleaner works wonders. It's made in Germany, is acid free, and safe for all wheels and calipers. I've tried them all, this is the absolute best.

A lot of folks also change to lower-dusting brake pads, such as the Carbotech 1521.

 

The factory caliper has a painted logo. There is no decal. Just clean them like you would your wheels. I have brushes of various sizes to get in and clean off the brake dust.

 

I have a 2016 Stingray Z51, black calipers. Prior to that 2013 GS with red calipers. Simply Green, power washer. No problems

 

I am not sure if you have a base, Z51, or Grand Sport, but you will find on many threads here that the brake pads on the Z51 dust heavily. Base pads are not as bad I am told.

Many of us with black wheels have this same issue. The stock Z51 pads would literally dust up the wheels driving around the block after thorough cleaning. Many have swapped out to less dusty pads, like the PowerStop pads, which do help. I can now go 500 miles with the PowerStops before a thorough cleaning is needed.

But even with those, the calipers will still dust up. Hit them with a soft narrow wheel brush when you wash the car.

Just as an added bonus, many of us are having pitting and peeling problems with the GM black painted wheels from the brake dust. I had to get my wheels powdercoated with 1500 miles. So far my calipers seem to be in ok shape. I am going to guess that GM used high temp caliper paint on the calipers. I do not believe GM calipers were powdercoated.

Oh, and just FYI - if you think the $300+ CarbonTech's will help, they will but they still dust a TON more than the PowerStops that are a third the cost.

 

If you are not tracking the car switch to a low dust brake pad such as the Carbotech 1521 pad. If you are tracking the car still switch and keep your factory pads for track days.

The Carbotech 1521 pad is a low dust pad that is rotor friendly and performs like OEM and last longer. 100% non-corrosive dust will not harm your paint or wheels. This pad also contains NRS technology. Carbotech uses NRS technology on all C4, C5, C6 & C7 front and rear brake pads.

Here is a link to explain further what NRS technology is exactly: http://www.nrsbrakes.com

If interested let me know I will be happy to help you.

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 use simply green on the black wheels and calibers. Use a 50-50 dilusion. Have an old wash mit that I run in and around and it all cleans up nice, quick and easy. I change out to winter wheels and always put 2 coats of a good polish on the wheels each swap. There is an anti static spray I have seen talked about but not motivated to try it since clean up is not that big of a challenge.

 

Noting ceramic rotors are not mentioned.

Keeping clean...that could be cleaning every 100 miles...who knows?

IMO best is car wash soap.

(Even over other dedicated wheel cleaners like S101 and all.)

If removing the wheels...apply wax to the caliper painted surfaces.

Have fun.

 

Carbotech 1521

 

FWIW, my 3+ year old Z51 black wheels look new. I was cleaning the OEM pad dust every ~100 miles to avoid the dust pitting the wheels. Switched to Carbotech 1521's and the dust reduced 80 to 85%. But more important the dust that is left does not pit the wheels.

Now I wash the wheels and OEM gray calipers with my normal car washing soap. I only wash them when I wash the car. Been lousy weather so had not washed it for over a month. When I did there was little dust and no pitting.

When I get my GS to replace my 2014 next year will have 1521's in hand when I get the car. The few extra bucks spent on the ~$70,000 car are worth the consistency of US made product vs stuff from China. To each there own!

 

I am now on my 3rd Corvette with yellow calipers (12 GS, 16 Z51, and 17 GS).

I always wash the calipers every time the car is washed with the same soap and water as is used on the body of the car.

If you have not touched them in 650 miles, that's way too long. They should be cleaned every couple weeks at a minimum. You need to stay on top of them so you don't have a mess when you do clean them. Same idea with the carbon on the exhaust tips.

 

What he said. Stay on top of it and it is not an issue. Just regular soap keeps them nice and new looking.

 

Just to correct the record, the PowerStop pads are made in Ohio, not China. Their rotors are made either in Brazil or China, the same foundries as Brembo uses.

BTW - Since the middle of 16 your Z51 black wheels are from China and before that Mexico. Next time you remove them check out the stamping.

 

I would love to see where the Powerstop pad material is made in Ohio Look at my location And I would like to see the grade of USA steel they use for the backing plates?

 

 

you may need to use a higher concentrated wheel cleaner the first time to remove the dirt and grime you let accumulate...........

Adam's Wheel Cleaner and some brushes should clean both the wheels and calipers where they look as good or better than new....

 

Hmm, sorry if the "made in China" was not correct. Read that they were but my bad if that is incorrect

The quality consistence of materials used to make some products and the product itself is easier to check and verify than others. With an item like brake pads, I'm less concerned if they are made in the USA. May not be an issue but a higher probability with US company concerns with liability etc. If GM sells it, they are liable. Not as clear cut with a distributor who can pass the liability to the manufacturer.

 

Neogenesis,

I typically buy products from Griot's Garage, i.e., brushes, cleaners, etc. They have a variety of brushes and tools specifically for wheels. They also have highly effective wheel cleaner spray that will not harm your wheels or calipers.

The secret is two things: 1. Clean your wheels/calipers often. 2. Replace your brake pads with an aftermarket low dust brake pad.

Semper Fi

 

I have the beautiful FPYCs as well. What I do when hand washing the car is wear a separate washing mitt/glove just to reach into the calipers and wipe them down with the car liquid soap and water.