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Remove the rims one time.
Ceramic or wax coat the calipers.
Reinstall rims.
Then use a leaf blower to remove any loose dust, followed
by use of a skinny wheel cleaning microfiber brush and
detail spray to get around the wheel spokes and wipe off the calipers
when dirty.
Another option is to again remove the rims and use soap and water
on the calipers.
I have yellow calipers on my Z51. Getting them clean is not really an issue. There are cleaners specifically formulated to remove brake dust from calipers and wheels. Spray on, soft brush, rinse off.
I drove my new 2026 Z06 with iron rotors home from the dealer after taking delivery, it was about 100 miles, wheels were covered in brake dust. changed my stock iron pads with Carbotech 1521 pads and the difference is night and day, I put another 100 miles on it and I can’t see any dust on the wheels….. Pad change is easy, just make sure to put some brake lube on the back of the pads and the side edges….I use Permatex Cermic brake lube...
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I use a couple of microfiber wheel brushes (different sizes) along with some car soap and water. That keeps the brake calipers clean. In between washes I use a Swiffer Duster to remove any loose brake dust.
I have 2 coats of Xpel ceramic coat applied to my calipers and Gyeon Rim EVO to my wheels. I also have this Wheel Woolies thing sized and angled specifically for cleaning brake dust off spokes and around brake calipers with no metal in any of its construction to scratch anything. But my brakes are so slick that I haven't had to use it yet because my power washer finished with a microfiber towel has been enough to keep it squeaky clean (the ceramic coat's hydrophobic properties make that possible). But I know this will eventually come in handy:
It doesn't matter if your calipers are purple, green, yellow, etc. As others have stated. Keeping them clean is all the same. Ceramic coat your calipers and wheels if you really want make keeping them clean an easy chore. +1 on wheel woolies. It is the way.
The wheel woolies make it easy to clean the barrels and sides of calipers when you wash your wheels. Your whole car should be ceramic coated if you want to cut down on maintenance. One other add on about washing the car. If you use a power washer. This makes it allot easier and cuts down on water waste. If you spray ceramic coated wheels and brake calipers with power washer, about 85% of the brake dust etc is washed right off. The rest is with contact wash.
Wouldn’t stock, black calipers make dirt and dust less obvious? Is it worth the extra cost and effort to have red calipers?
Gloss black shows everything. I would base your brake caliper color on theme of how you want the car to look. If you get gloss black wheels with gloss black calipers. The wheels will show brake dust pretty early after washing and driving. The brake calipers regardless of color will be shinny and less dirty.
From the sounds of it. I believe you may be on the side of you dont like to wash the car and care for it much, but you want it to look the best it can for as long as you can without touching it. If that is the case in plan and you really dont use the car as a true sports car. You can get alternate ceramic pads that create less dust. The stopping performance is not as good, but if you are cars and coffe most of the time or road tripping. Ceramic coating and the pads is your best bet regardless of color.
My brake pads really do not get that dirty. Its the wheels that get most of the dust. The calipers are always shinning. My wheels and calipers are ceramic coated. My car gets regular washing on weekly basis, as well as ironx treatments.
Just change the pads to ceramics. It will eliminate the part time job....I don't have that issue because I did not spec the Z51 option. I got tired of the dust on my 911S and just changed the pads...dust virtually gone.
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