Do you guys use anything to clean brake dust of your stock/standard aluminum wheels? I have the 6 spoke matte finish, 2003.5 sedan. Posts about some cleaners ruining wheels scared me enough not to buy a cleaner yet....

 

Turtle wax soap and water usually works. That's for just surface dust that would come off by touching it with your finger. My brakes produce almost no dust compared to my 2003 Grand Cherokee. If they are stained bad I'm not sure how to clean that.

 

Most brake cleaners, if not all, contain acid which is corrosive to your brake system and the wheels. Besides, even with these acid cleaners, you still need to brush the wheels to get them clean. There is no such cleaner that you just spray and hose off ALL the dirt. I normally use a mild household all purpose cleaner with a brush.

 

Zaino advertises to use a claybar to remove brake dust. I don't like this idea, but haven't tried it either. I'd imagine i'd go through more claybar's this way.

 

I don't have a problem with a little effort, I'm just looking for the most effective method without any harmful side effects... Thanks for the tip!

Any secrets to keeping the brake dust off?

 

Regularly cleaning your wheels is really important to keep it looking good and preventing brake dust from corroding your wheels' finish over time. NOTE: Household cleaners should be kept as far away from a car as possible. These cleaners are horrible for a car's paint and are just as bad for your wheel's finish. Also, I'd recommend using gloves when detailing wheels as brake dust contains asbestos which is a known carcinogen.

I usually start by spraying/soaking each wheel enough to get as much brake dust off as possible and loosen up the remainder. I then go at it with a dilution of Turtle Wax Zip Wax in water in a spray bottle while brushing it with a dedicated wheel brush. This will safely get off about 90% of the brake dust. After letting it dry for about 5-10 minutes, I spray some Meguiar's Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner on the nooks and crannies that I missed or that have more stubborn deposits. This product is guaranteed safe for wheels with a factory coating and even on pure chrome wheels hence the 'All Wheel'. (I also spray a little on my tires before brushing them to give them a factory clean look before dressing them.) After letting the product sit for a minute, I will go over the wheels again, concentrating on these spots with a rinsed wheel brush. Voila, you have the look of some factory fresh tires and wheels. You might need to repeat certain steps depending on how bad your wheels have gotten. It also helps to coast to a stop while applying your brakes evenly for better wear and to reduce brake dust. Finally, if you're ready to take the dive into the world of auto detailing, there are wheel specific waxes out there that when applied will prevent break dust deposits and make it easier to clean - but you'd have to thoroughly clean your wheels first and reapply as directed.

Reference: I have been detailing the interior and hand washing my car every week for years now. I have found that this is the best way to go about safely cleaning the factory 17" 6-spokes.

 

^ Good advice!

 

I just use soap and water and spend my time getting everything clean. We've also recommended using wheel wax to help keep things cleaner for a bit longer as well.