What I Hate!!!!

[Phantasie]

Cleaning the rims on my ZHP. They get so dirty with brake dust, and its so tough to get in there and make them clean! Arrrrrggggg! :P

[Quickid]

I feel your pain, man.... Try Axxis Deluxe Plus pads when it's ime to replace your pads.

[oyster]

I feel your pain, man.... Try Axxis Deluxe Plus pads when it's ime to replace your pads.
Even the PBR brake pads in the front I put in makes a huge difference in brake dust.

I'm running regular Brembo disc with PBR pads....thing of beauty

[dieselgrl]

Cleaning the rims on my ZHP. They get so dirty with brake dust, and its so tough to get in there and make them clean! Arrrrrggggg! :P

I know what you mean...it's a pain to clean them...but it's rewarding to see it once it's been cleaned.

[alexm520]

Cleaning the rims on my ZHP. They get so dirty with brake dust, and its so tough to get in there and make them clean! Arrrrrggggg! :P

Try switching to low dust brake pads (makes a big difference and you can start by changing only the front pads).
I also highly recommend BMW OEM Wheel cleaner ($6.50 per bottle at any dealerships). Spray on rims, wait for 30-60 seconds and then simply hose of with water spray. Easily removes 95%+ of brake dust, as long as you clean them every week or every other week.

I tried all kinds of rim cleaners including the famous P21S Wheel cleaner and BMW OEM works just as good and available everywhere.

Another option some people are doing is applying any car paint wax on clean wheels. The brake dust is suppose to come off easier afterwards during cleaning.

AlexM520
330Ci '03 JetBlack on Black Leather
M-Sport, HK, Silver cube :)

[dadysev]

I clean my car every 2 days so I don't let the brake dust build up.
Be honest, do you hear any squealing or feel a difference (better or worse)
with the after market brake pads? The reason I say this cause I drive my car hard and I love the braking of OEM pads.

[Quickid]

I clean my car every 2 days so I don't let the brake dust build up.
Be honest, do you hear any squealing or feel a difference (better or worse)
with the after market brake pads? The reason I say this cause I drive my car hard and I love the braking of OEM pads.
Hard to comment for the following reasons:
- Squealing has a lot to do with installation and bedding. If not done right, any pad will squeal.
- Brake feel is subjective. What's ok for me may not be ok for you.

If you're in doubt and not willing to experiment, probably best to stay with the tried and true OEM pads. Since you clean your car every 2 days, brake dust is not an issue :)

[Phantasie]

Another option some people are doing is applying any car paint wax on clean wheels. The brake dust is suppose to come off easier afterwards during cleaning.



This I would not have expected! But makes sense.

Ive been thinking about new pads - though Ill try the BMW cleaner. Maybe im getting weaker in my old age, but my wrists get sore after 15 minutes of scrubbing those damn rims! :P

[Quickid]

This I would not have expected! But makes sense.

Ive been thinking about new pads - though Ill try the BMW cleaner. Maybe im getting weaker in my old age, but my wrists get sore after 15 minutes of scrubbing those damn rims! :P
Heard good reviews on WheelWax but I have not tried it myself. You might wanna check it out. Good luck!!!

[SmoothMoka]

I too, hate cleaning them rims. Zhp rims are always derrty, they take too much time to keep clean! that's why I'm looking forward to spend less time cleaning my rims, since I'm getting new ones with less spokes...thanks eric! :D

[christyles]

I too, hate cleaning them rims. Zhp rims are always derrty, they take too much time to keep clean! that's why I'm looking forward to spend less time cleaning my rims, since I'm getting new ones with less spokes...thanks eric! :D
Ahhh so you did get them Smoothie.

[SmoothMoka]

Ahhh so you did get them Smoothie.
he he he... i'm so happy!!! weeeee! :D :}:

[M333ee]

SilverGrey 04 ZHP with 19" Hamann HMII's :0

[Phantasie]

he he he... i'm so happy!!! weeeee! :D :}:


Post a pic!

[SmoothMoka]

Post a pic!
Sooon, very soon!

[dadysev]

You guys wanna know the best wheel cleaner? Only thing that sucks is
it is not sold in Canada but the US. Its called Castrol SuperClean All Wheel
Cleaner. It has a sticker on it that says "Out Performs All other Brands", and believe me it does!!!!
I have been using the BMW wheel cleaner for years and I found it far superior
to almost every other brand until my friend introduced me to this stuff.
I had an Acura Integra 2 years ago and I drove it through the winter with some aftermarket rims on it. In the spring I tried to clean all the brake dust off the front rims as it was caked up bad!!! nothing would clean it until I tried the Castrol. I wiped the brake dust off like mud!! I couldn't believe it.
Canadian tire sells the degreaser (not the same thing). They won't import it
into Canada. If you make it to the US you can pick it up at Walmart, Pepboys,
Autozone, etc.
heres the link, and good luck.
http://www.castrolusa.com/products/default.asp?prod_mp=6

[M007]

I really prefer using just water and mit for the rims. It clean as good even better. I believe in wiping it instead of spraying it. :)

[Phantasie]

I really prefer using just water and mit for the rims. It clean as good even better. I believe in wiping it instead of spraying it. :)

I agree. However, I find I have to scrub the hell outa them to get them clean, and my wrists get pretty sore. Granted, thats pathetic, but still - I dont like sore wrists!

[dadysev]

I only use soap and water because as i said before I wash my car every
couple of days. But for those of you who don't and the brake dust doesn't
come out with soap and water this is an alternative.
No I don't believe in using rim cleaners all the time cause it can mess up the rubber seals on your caliper (rumors I've heard), and I don't think putting acidic chemicals on a finished rim is a good idea! (common sense.)
but thats just my opinion.
latr.

[Phantasie]

I only use soap and water because as i said before I wash my car every
couple of days. But for those of you who don't and the brake dust doesn't
come out with soap and water this is an alternative.
No I don't believe in using rim cleaners all the time cause it can mess up the rubber seals on your caliper (rumors I've heard), and I don't think putting acidic chemicals on a finished rim is a good idea! (common sense.)
but thats just my opinion.
latr.

Yea, I worry about chemical cleaners on rims as well.

Reminds me of a funny story. Back in university I worked at a used car dealership detailing cars, chaning oil, etc on recently sold cars.

They had this moderate acid that could be used on steel rims, or whatever to clean them up. I was detailing a STS one day and used the acid on the rims by mistake. Took the finish right off. Amazingly I didnt fired, and they sold the car to the dude without saying anything, and never heard anything of it afterwards ! (??!!).

So, Yes - I worry about chemicals too :-)

[M007]

The reason it's hard to clean with soap and water is because you didn't clean them often.

[Phantasie]

The reason it's hard to clean with soap and water is because you didn't clean them often.

Getting the brake dust off isnt really the issue. Soap and water do a fine job for me. It's getting the brake dust out of the crevices, back inside the rim, around the wheel nuts, etc thats tough :)

My previous car had 5 spoke rims, with no crevices - easy to clean!

[M007]

Use a tooth brush for edges. :)

[christyles]

They had this moderate acid that could be used on steel rims, or whatever to clean them up. I was detailing a STS one day and used the acid on the rims by mistake. Took the finish right off. Amazingly I didnt fired, and they sold the car to the dude without saying anything, and never heard anything of it afterwards ! (??!!).


Nice...similar story for me as well. I was detailing for Addison on Bay last year and I also was gonna spray the rims on an STS with chrome finish rims, and as I held the trigger spray, one of my colleagues grabs my hand and says "uh uh, wrong bottle for that rim..."