Hi all -

Just got my G35 coupe a few weeks ago and have been spoiling it. Thanks to all the great tips here I debaged the back and was able to put on the aluminum pedals and clear side marker lights without a hitch.

I also used the tip to get the "online" version of the service manual from Nissan for a one-day $20 access subscription. It did take about 2 and half hours to download the files one by one, but now I have a complete PDF service manual with fully working hotlinks. This is a great community!

I also got the great Klasse wax and "big blue towels" as mentioned by many people. What an excellent wax and towel!

Now it's my turn for a tip: I traded in a '99 Mercedes C280 Sport that I had thought was the worst car in the world for brake dust (loved everthing else about the Merc to be honest). Now I know it's #2, right after the G35! So I've been looking for a way to cut this down. I found a new (I think) product from Prestone called "wheel cleaner with brake dust repellant". It comes in a cobalt blue plastic spray bottle and runs about $7 at any auto parts place.

It supposedly has an additive to repel brake dust. Yeah right, but I thought it's worth a $7 gamble. So far I have to say it works pretty well! Initially you soak the wheels for a minute or so, scrub and hose off with a high pressure stream of water. Then you spray on a second coat, wait for a minute then rinse off with a gentle stream of water.

I did this Sunday and just today I noticed a light coat of dust on the front wheels (normally I can see it after one day of driving). So I washed my car tonight (Wednesday) and gave it a test. I hit the wheels with a strong stream of water only and the dammed if the brake dust just rinsed right off with no soap, no wheel cleaner and no scrubbing! Amazing! I think this stuff works pretty well.

Another product I found I really like is Eagle One "All wheel and tire cleaner A2Z". This comes in a day glo orange plastic bottle. It does a great job of cleaning the wheels and tires at once. I've been using it since I go my G but now I switched to the Prestone. The Eagle One did a great job of removing that damn dealer black slime they put on the tires. Call me old fashioned, but I think tires should be flat black, not shiny. The Eagle One does a good job of cleaning any kind of wheel and tire.

I'd be interested to hear what others think about the Prestone stuff. So far it's working great for me. Feel free to PM me.


-- Kevin Talbot (Seattle)
2004 G35/5at/Diamond Graphite/Graphite leather/Premium pkg/Nav/18" wheels

 

just so u know.... my friend's bmw's (his family has m3, m5, x5... he drives the 3) all look like they painted their wheels about 90% of the time. They are the WORST cars for brake dust. I dont really get that bad of brake dust in my g unless im gunnin it around and slamming on the brakes. I drive stick with brembos so i guess that since i slow down to about 15-20 mph before even touching the brakes doesnt hurt....

2004 Black on Black g coupe 6spd.... aluminum pedals, clear corners, z tube, and pop charger. soon to have 19" volk gt-c's and PIAA xtreme whites in the clearance and corners
Houston Texas

 

I am also a firm believe in Eagle1 a2z, i will try Prestone stuff once my bottle runs out....

<font color=green>-Rambo</font color=green>
G35c-6MT-DG/Willow/HyperGround/BorlaExhaust/350Z-intake/AVIC-N1-double-din

 

Thanks, Kevin. I will definitely try the Prestone stuff. My wheels haven't been too bad, mainly b/c I wash my G35 once/week before the wheels get really dirty. But, this Prestone wheel cleaner sounds great...one question though: Does it say if it's guaranteed not to harm or damage the wheels?

I know some wheel cleaners are too harsh and can permanently damage the wheels. This is why I usually stay away from the wheel cleaners and use good 'ole fashioned elbow grease each week when I wash the car; I've also applied 1 or 2 coats of the Klasse AIO on the wheels (which you should do as well since you're using it now) which helps to protect them and make it easier for the brake dust and dirt to come off. ;-)



2004.5 G35-S 5AT Black/Willow - Prem, R. Spoiler, Navi, Infiniti Sport Wheels, Alum Pedals, Dark Tint, Z Tube, K&N Filter

 

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

They are the WORST cars for brake dust.

<hr></blockquote>

Yes, and you see ALL four wheels are covered in dust, not just the front! I have also noticed the Honda S2000 has a huge amount of brake dust front and rear.


Brilliant Silver/Graphite/Chrome Wheels '04 Sedan/5AT

 

cheaper versions of metallic brakes... try EBC greenstuff pads and you'll get a 95% reduction in dust...

<font color=green>-Rambo</font color=green>
G35c-6MT-DG/Willow/HyperGround/BorlaExhaust/350Z-intake/AVIC-N1-double-din

 

do you guys clean the inside of the rims too, like the part where the weights are attached?
i just realized that area is pretty darn black and i couldn't see it cuz it was too dark.

 

I only clean it when I have to swap-out wheels, which is twice a year, when i throw on the snows and when i throw on the michelons

<font color=green>-Rambo</font color=green>
G35c-6MT-DG/Willow/HyperGround/BorlaExhaust/350Z-intake/AVIC-N1-double-din

 

I do the best I can by reaching back in there with my whell mitt. Luckily after 11K miles, they still look pretty clean!

2003 6MT Black Coupe, Premium Pkg. w/ Aero
20% tint all around, Aluminum Pedals

 

I checked the bottle and it says "Safe for all wheel types". There's no warning that it contains acids as some other wheel cleaners say on the bottle (like some Eagle One products, which I love too).

I did try some wax (not Klasse yet) on my wheels and it did not make much difference. I'll try the Prestone for a while and see how it goes before I re-wax the wheels.

-- Kevin Talbot (Seattle)
2004 G35/5at/Diamond Graphite/Graphite leather/Premium pkg/Nav/18" wheels

 

Thanks. I looked for it at a Discount Auto Parts today, but they didn't have it. I wonder if Target carries it; I'm sure I'll find it somewhere. If not, there's always an online e-tailer.

Nevermind...I just looked it up on the Prestone Web site (they have a store locator); it appears that Wal Mart and Pep Boys carries it. ;-)



2004.5 G35-S 5AT Black/Willow - Prem, R. Spoiler, Navi, Infiniti Sport Wheels, Alum Pedals, Dark Tint, Z Tube, K&N Filter<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by bsgoren on 07/30/04 07:59 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

do you guys clean the inside of the rims too, like the part where the weights are attached?

<hr></blockquote>
I do clean mine, every time I wash the car, I have a small detail brush, sort of looks like a hair brush, but soft, and mine look good, been doing it since it was new.


Brilliant Silver/Graphite/Chrome Wheels '04 Sedan/5AT

 

do u take off the wheel to clean that area?
it seems kinda hard to reach back there.

 

No, I just use the brush, similar to this "Wheel Detail Brush"
http://www.carrand.com/detail_brushes.htm Mine is slightly different than this one, but it works great! Keep in mind, I have kept mine clean since I bought my car, you may have to remove the wheel to clean the first time it he buildup is great.


Brilliant Silver/Graphite/Chrome Wheels '04 Sedan/5AT

 

thanks. i'll look for them @ local stores. gonna be PITA to remove all four wheels.[img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]