VetteDrmr

I've got what looks like rust spotting on my '14 chrome wheels, on all 4 corners. Car has spent it's life below the salt line, but does have over 100K miles on it. I can't think of what could be causing this, unless it's brake pad dust from the Z51 pads.

Any ideas?

TIA, and have a good one,
Mike

Maxpowers

Yes - the Z51 pads (with all the dust) are known to pit the chrome rims. You can switch out the pads to "low dust" like many of us have done for street driving.

VetteDrmr

Wow, that was quick! Thanks for the info, I'll get those changed out pronto. Other than a chrome polish for cleaning up the stains, any suggestions on protection?

Thanks again, and have a good one,
Mike

Mike Campbell

I happen to use Zaino Z2 but lots of people on this forum swear by "Rejex". However, I've had three Corvettes spanning 20 years all with Chrome wheels and never had a problem. Of course I would wipe the dust off after every ride because I knew that dust can pit chrome and is corrosive.

JerryU

The black wheels on my September 2013 built Z51 were being pitted if I didn't clean the heavy brake dust off every few trips into town, ~150 miles. Switched to Carbotech 1521 ceramic street pads and cleaned them only when washing the car.

Have the same pads on my Grand Sport and do the same. Not only is the dust 85% less, what is there is light and DOES NOT pit the wheels.

Have to assume your chrome wheels provided some protection.

VetteDrmr

Thanks, folks! The finish doesn't appear to be pitted, just stained. Jerry gave me a recommendation for Carbotech 1421s, <cringes at the thought of a brake war thread breaking out> any other pad recommendations?

Have a good one,
Mike

Adam@Amp'dAutosport.com

Mike,I highly recommend the Carbotech 1521 Pads they are 100% Non-Corrosive will not harm your wheels, rotors or paint.
If interested I will be happy to set you up.

Adam@Amp'dAutosport.com

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.

JMII

I've had success using Bar Keeper's Friend for removing baked on brake dust residue off my chrome wheels. It shines up them nicely. This is for those little bits that collect in the corners where the spokes meet the rim edge. Simple Green or just the pressure washer normally gets rid of 99% of the mess.

Vetteman Jack

I use the same wax as I do on the painted finish on the car. Has worked well to protect the wheels for many years on a variety of cars.

VetteDrmr

Thanks, folks, for all the help! I've heard of Bar Keeper's friend, where do you get that?

And a coat of wax is definitely in their future!

Thanks again, and have a good one,
Mike

RapidC84B

Guys... it's not the pads. It's the wheel design and lack of a lip. The leading edge of the spokes chop through the air and get hit with debris. My painted track wheels have no paint on the leading edge of the spoke for about 3-4" adjacent the barrel. My chrome street wheels are similar but not as bad.

It's not brake dust pitting the chrome. People will tell you it is for days, but I 100% guaranty it's not.

VetteDrmr

Well, to be honest, *I* was the one talking about brake dust. The staining I'm seeing is pretty uniform on the entire chromed surface, including the edges (they actually may be in better shape as I think about it).

So, with that info added, what do you think?

Thanks for the help, and have a good one,
Mike

runner61627

It’s worth changing your pads to Carbotech’s just to get rid of the majority of dust and having to clean every time you drive.

JerryU

Here is a PDF of my 3 installs! One on my 2014 and 2 on my Grand Sport. Lots more info that you may want but page 25 (yep that many) is a recent update after a poster questioned how to tap the pins "home" in the rear! I was planning to rotate the tires anyway so checked and sure enough the plastic cooling ducts as the poster mentioned did limit the amount they had been pressed in. They were OK but make a short drift pin that got them fully seated! http://netwelding.com/Ceramic_Pads.pdf

Two Pics from that page. PDF has pics and text.

Maxpowers

I would respectfully disagree. But it could be both. My wife's car has Brembo brakes / track pads and chrome wheels (not a vette). We had the same problem with her car. Exasperated because she doesn't clean it often. Switched pads and the pitting stopped.

VetteDrmr

Got some pads ordered; they'll be going on as soon as they get here.

As you mention, if only for the reduced dusting, although the Z51 pads have a REALLY nice feel; they're way more than needed for street use. For those few times I get to go to a HPDE now the Z51s will go back on (and I'm only running street tires, so more aggressive pads than this aren't necessary, I'll just back off if they start fading).

Have a good one,
Mike

JMII

Should be available in most larger grocery stores in the cleaning isle. Its a common household kitchen cleaner designed for chrome, brass, stainless, etc. I use the soft cleanser version, its like a gel in a squeeze bottle. Stuff works wonders on the exhaust tips as well.

https://www.barkeepersfriend.com/

JerryU

Since you said you ordered, I'll add that the Carbotech 1521 pads have a very linear pedal modulation feel. Talked to someone who bought Hawk pads, another quality pad at about the same price. They are more off/on but stop fine according to him. I have a somewhat unique situation where with cold pads I stop aggressively to turn onto another rural road soon after I merge into the 4 lane divided highway at the end of my street. Don't want traffic to have to slow significantly for me, especially when there is a loaded log truck going to the paper mill in the traffic line! The Carbotech 1521 pads are as at least as good as the OEM when the pads are cold (or warm for that matter,) which in my case I have no chance to warm them up as I accelerate from our narrow rural road to merge into traffic. Feel very confident as I stop and make that turn.

VetteDrmr

UPDATE: Went to my local grocery store and was able to get the powered version. I was able to at least give a decent test of it on the staining, works like a charm!!!

THIS is one of the reasons I love this forum!

Y'all have a good one,
Mike