BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read




 

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      12-08-2011, 10:38 PM   #1
p66
First Lieutenant
54
Rep
348
Posts

Drives: 1M
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Dallas, Texas

iTrader: (2)

Little problem after track event - need help

Track event last weekend. Two full days. Rained both days. Hawk DTC-70 pads. Stock wheels and tires. Was traveling this week and couldn't wash my filthy car until today. Brake dust appears to be baked on. It must have been a combination of DTC-70 brake dust that was wet when it hit the wheels, combined with some heat and sitting for 5 days. Whatever the reason, this stuff won't come off. I'm afraid to try anything abrasive. Standard wheel cleaner has no affect. If I scrub one spot for a few minutes with a wash mit and soap I can make some progress. And I can scratch it off with my finger nail, so I know if can be removed.

Any ideas what works good on baked on brake dust?
Appreciate 0
      12-08-2011, 11:01 PM   #2
mrow
Second Lieutenant
2
Rep
258
Posts

Drives: AW 1M
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Delaware

iTrader: (0)

Sonax Full Effect wheel cleaner FTW. Bar none the best wheel cleaner I've ever used. Check the cosmetics section of the forum to see if you can find any deals.

I love this stuff so much I bought a 5 liter jug of it. I keep a small spray bottle of it in the trunk and clean off the wheels if I'm near a hose.
Appreciate 0
      12-08-2011, 11:08 PM   #3
p66
First Lieutenant
54
Rep
348
Posts

Drives: 1M
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Dallas, Texas

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrow View Post
Sonax Full Effect wheel cleaner FTW. Bar none the best wheel cleaner I've ever used. Check the cosmetics section of the forum to see if you can find any deals.

I love this stuff so much I bought a 5 liter jug of it. I keep a small spray bottle of it in the trunk and clean off the wheels if I'm near a hose.
Is it spray-on, hose-off? That would be nice.
Appreciate 0
      12-09-2011, 09:29 AM   #4
M3 Adjuster
Banned
Albania
7905
Rep
11,785
Posts

Drives: 1M, X1 M Sport, E46 325ic
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Dallas, Tx

iTrader: (0)

Hawk swears this doesn't happen any more but it's been a hawk pad "feature" since the HAWK BLUE.

The combination of the pad, water, and time (letting it sit for a few days)causes the pad material to rust.

I cleaned a set of my friends wheels with a light Brillo pad, but they weren't brand new wheels. It took a lot of elbow grease and i also couldn't get it all off. I actually cleaned the wheels because my friend didn't care to take the time and effort. I had borrowed his wheels and the rust I annoyed me so much I just went to work. At any rate, work quickly and you may have a chance at cleaning them up.

I'm not smitten by the hawk initial bite, so I've always avoided hawk pads because of this.

If the rust/dust is on the paint on the car, not sure what to recommend, sorry.
Appreciate 0
      12-09-2011, 09:38 AM   #5
Dackelone
European Editor
Dackelone's Avatar
Germany
10512
Rep
22,992
Posts

Drives: N54 e82
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Bayern, Germany

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster View Post
...If the rust/dust is on the paint on the car, not sure what to recommend, sorry.
Maybe try oven cleaner - like in that other wheel thread.

I really like using P21S gel - wheel cleaner myself.



baked on brake dust - help

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...t=oven+cleaner
Appreciate 0
      12-09-2011, 11:01 AM   #6
EmmDrei
Lieutenant
Germany
26
Rep
401
Posts

Drives: 2011 Saphire Black 1M Coupé
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: 300km to the Nordschleife

iTrader: (0)

I run Hawks on my e36 racecar. And that gets cleaned immediately after a race or a trackday for exactly that reason. To get that stuff off is going to be one tough cookie!

The team that maintains my car explained it to me, as follows: These metal particles are extremely hot, when they land on bits of the car and they can actually melt into the clearcoat. If that happens... and you do not take care of it immediately, then there is simply no way besides scrubbing / sanding and repainting.

My e36 is a racecar... I honestly don't care if it has a few scratches. But I would never run Hawks on any car that isn't "track only".
__________________
The best piece of road - worldwide.
Appreciate 0
      12-09-2011, 11:14 AM   #7
marcel b
Lieutenant Colonel
marcel b's Avatar
132
Rep
1,898
Posts

Drives: F31 340i
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Europe

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by EmmDrei View Post
But I would never run Hawks on any car that isn't "track only".
+1
Appreciate 0
      12-09-2011, 01:54 PM   #8
p66
First Lieutenant
54
Rep
348
Posts

Drives: 1M
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Dallas, Texas

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by EmmDrei View Post
I run Hawks on my e36 racecar. And that gets cleaned immediately after a race or a trackday for exactly that reason. To get that stuff off is going to be one tough cookie!

The team that maintains my car explained it to me, as follows: These metal particles are extremely hot, when they land on bits of the car and they can actually melt into the clearcoat. If that happens... and you do not take care of it immediately, then there is simply no way besides scrubbing / sanding and repainting.

My e36 is a racecar... I honestly don't care if it has a few scratches. But I would never run Hawks on any car that isn't "track only".
Ugg. I bought some degreaser and will try that. I also bought some tar remover and will give that whirl. Oven cleaner scares me but it may be a last ditch effort.

I have a set of track wheels that don't give me any trouble with my hawk pads. This was the first time I used my stock wheels since it was so wet and I used my street tires. I suppose the clear coat on the stock wheels could be contributing to the issue. And I get the theory that hot pad material can get cooked on, but last weekend was 40 degrees and 100% wet, with constant drizzle. I don't think the pads got much of a work-out. I think Mark is right, this stuff has rusted to the clear coat.
Appreciate 0
      12-09-2011, 01:59 PM   #9
rossii
Second Lieutenant
27
Rep
294
Posts

Drives: with wheels
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Cali

iTrader: (0)

Try claying them.
__________________
"People who say they love the 'Ring' are either not going fast enough or lying" - Jackie Stewart
Appreciate 0
      12-09-2011, 04:18 PM   #10
p66
First Lieutenant
54
Rep
348
Posts

Drives: 1M
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Dallas, Texas

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for all the suggestions.
Appreciate 0
      12-10-2011, 05:53 PM   #11
mrow
Second Lieutenant
2
Rep
258
Posts

Drives: AW 1M
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Delaware

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by p66 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrow View Post
Sonax Full Effect wheel cleaner FTW. Bar none the best wheel cleaner I've ever used. Check the cosmetics section of the forum to see if you can find any deals.

I love this stuff so much I bought a 5 liter jug of it. I keep a small spray bottle of it in the trunk and clean off the wheels if I'm near a hose.
Is it spray-on, hose-off? That would be nice.
Yes, it is spray on, hose off. How I usually use it is before I go through my local touch-free car wash I spray a the wheels down and let it sit for a minute or two to let it work it's magic and then drive in and let the water jets pointing at the wheels wash them off.

And to those saying P21S wheel cleaner if you go in the detailing forum you can find some comparisons between sonax full effect and P21S and the sonax wins.
Appreciate 0
      12-17-2011, 10:31 AM   #12
M3 Adjuster
Banned
Albania
7905
Rep
11,785
Posts

Drives: 1M, X1 M Sport, E46 325ic
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Dallas, Tx

iTrader: (0)

Update?? Photos? Easy off for the win ?
Appreciate 0
      12-17-2011, 10:41 AM   #13
Red Bread
Major General
United_States
4462
Rep
9,160
Posts

Drives: Smog machines
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (0)

Easy Off is a last resort, start with clay and a light polish, then try a degreaser like Simple Green, then try a tar remover. If non of those work, Easy Off might be worth a try. I use Hawk pads for the track and try to make sure my wheels have a recent coat of sealant on them before track sessions.
Appreciate 0
      12-17-2011, 01:53 PM   #14
mrow
Second Lieutenant
2
Rep
258
Posts

Drives: AW 1M
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Delaware

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Red Bread View Post
...and try to make sure my wheels have a recent coat of sealant on them before track sessions.
x1 before you track put a coat of armorall wheel protectant on them. The stuff works wonders
Appreciate 0
      12-17-2011, 04:36 PM   #15
p66
First Lieutenant
54
Rep
348
Posts

Drives: 1M
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Dallas, Texas

iTrader: (2)

Here is what I'm dealing with - see pic below.

So far I've tried:

Greased Lightning degreaser
Griotts heavy duty wheel cleaner
Bug and tar remover
LCR rust remover
Vinegar
Gasoline
Oven cleaner - let it set for 30 minutes

Nothing is very effective. I suspect I could get it all clean with hours and hours of scrubbing, then be left with a damaged finish. The pic is one small section of one wheel. Even the lug holes are caked with this junk. Granted the rears are in good shape, but both fronts are trashed. I think I'm going to surrender and get my wheels refinsihed.

New question - what finish would resist baked on brake dust better, painted or powder coated?
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
      12-18-2011, 01:59 AM   #16
M3 Adjuster
Banned
Albania
7905
Rep
11,785
Posts

Drives: 1M, X1 M Sport, E46 325ic
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Dallas, Tx

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for uploading the pic, as I have a feeling most don't know exactly what you are dealing with.

I was able to scrub without ruining the finish, but the spokes on the 5 spoke wheels I cleaned were still a pain and the little nooks and crannies were impossible. Working to get this stuff off will leave your fingers sore for days. I was kinda hoping the easy off would work for you.
Appreciate 0
      12-18-2011, 12:24 PM   #17
TUNEDM3
Stay Ripping
60
Rep
545
Posts

Drives: 1M
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: New York

iTrader: (4)

I had the same issues on previous wheels. It will take alot of scrubbing, oven cleaner and simple green. The finish will survive this treatment a couple of times. Its very time consuming and almost better to just get them refinished. I found that the PFC material is not as corrosive when wet in comparison to the Hawks.
__________________
THE GOBBLER- S.O.H
Appreciate 0
      12-19-2011, 01:09 AM   #18
Powerbeast
Lieutenant General
Powerbeast's Avatar
United_States
5403
Rep
10,825
Posts

Drives: F80 M3 RarriRot
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (4)

Is it spray on?
Appreciate 0
      12-19-2011, 09:35 AM   #19
tkbr0wn
Major
United_States
72
Rep
1,239
Posts

Drives: 2015 Cayman S
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Atlanta

iTrader: (0)

I would try some P21s Gel Wheel cleaner. Put it on and let it sit for a couple of hours. I would bet that would do it.
__________________

● 2015 Cayman S (Current), 2011 1M BSM #297 (Sold), 2008 135i (Sold) ●
Appreciate 0
      12-19-2011, 12:48 PM   #20
robertm
Major
450
Rep
1,358
Posts

Drives: 2020 M2 Comp
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: dfw

iTrader: (0)

'Wheel repair by Adam'. Located off of Harry Hines. They do excellent work and will cost about $150 ea to repaint. I've got a buddy that just had his M5 wheels done there and they look fantastic.

Also a place called Wheel Technologies off 35 is supposed to do good work as well.

Last edited by robertm; 12-19-2011 at 12:55 PM..
Appreciate 0
      12-19-2011, 08:09 PM   #21
Oaktree
Second Lieutenant
Oaktree's Avatar
United_States
9
Rep
270
Posts

Drives: 2012 X5 - 2010 M3 - 1999 M3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Edina, Minnesota

iTrader: (1)

Not that it helps now but I always liberally apply wax (not wiping off) to my rims prior to a track dry. It helps tremendously with the rubber and brake dust build up.
Appreciate 0
      12-19-2011, 09:48 PM   #22
p66
First Lieutenant
54
Rep
348
Posts

Drives: 1M
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Dallas, Texas

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by robertm View Post
'Wheel repair by Adam'. Located off of Harry Hines. They do excellent work and will cost about $150 ea to repaint. I've got a buddy that just had his M5 wheels done there and they look fantastic.

Also a place called Wheel Technologies off 35 is supposed to do good work as well.
Thanks for the suggestion.

Anyone know which paint option would be best - paint or powder coat?
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:42 AM.




1addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST