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numbbers · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 10:37 am Post subject: Wheel Cleaner

Anybody know of a good product for cleaning brake dust off of the spiderwebs. I have tried several products, and they either don't work, or they damage the finish on the wheels. My spiderwebs are powder coated, and I don't want to damage them, but I am tired of having to scrub each spoke to get rid of brake dust.
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1980 924 Turbo

Smoothie · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 11:27 am Post subject:

I don't have the answer for you - just a thought..
I just recently cleaned an impressive accumulation of brake dust off the backs of 2 Fuchs wheels in preparation for mounting-balancing new tires (so they'd be able to stick weights on the backside). I did it the old fashioned way - SimpleGreen sprayed on, allowed to soak, scrubbed with a ScotchBrite pad, repeat. Time consuming and no fun and it got me thinking. Once clean, could you spray the cleaned surface with teflon spray to keep future accumulations of brake dust from sticking and/or to at least make it easier to remove the stuff next time? Anyone done this or thought of doing it?
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"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

Ozzie · Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 5:32 pm Post subject:

Try insect repellant. Takes permanent ink off telephone cabinets. (graffiti)

**I'd test an area first!
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Porsche 924 1984 (UK import) NA
Its AUTO and its BLACK
Montego Black on black/red
Engineer of Electro/Mechanical Systems Maintenance

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

I used Mother's aluminum wheel treatment. With the wheels off, I sprayed it on and let it sit for a couple of minutes, then hit it with a 2500 PSI power sprayer. It did an OK job, but to do it right, it's even better to just hit the wheels with a bottle brush (after applying the Mothers and before power spraying. Part of the problem with doing it with the wheels on is that the cleaner will tend to run/drip down and not stay evenly applied to the problem areas.
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

MALUKIA3 · Joined: 13 Dec 2003 Posts: 82 Location: NY

I've used a product called (or made by) P21S on my bike. Does a real nice job getting the road grime, brake dust and chain lube off of my bike. Have not tried it on the spiderwebs.

Didn't harm the paint or the powder coat.

Don
79 n/a

Minus000 · Joined: 29 May 2003 Posts: 363 Location: Sidney, B.C.

I have used WD40 on my alloys. It does the trick great, spray it on and it just wipes brakedust right off. I imagine with spider webs though you would still need to scrub with a soft brush. You could always power coat the center black. Its a hot look right now.

joe · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 45 Location: Albuquerque

What about using a sandblaster?
like the ones they use in machine shops to clean up heads. I saw a spray gun the other day you hook up to a compressor and it somehow sprays sand.

CMXXXI · Joined: 05 Nov 2002 Posts: 1939 Location: Vicksburg, MS

Roger · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 1235 Location: Cordova, TN

Costco sells a degreaser I think its called Oil Eater. It comes in a White plastic jug with a red label. It did a great job cleaning the road grim off my wheels.
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1981 924 NA

Some people are like Slinkies. Not really good for anything, but you
still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

numbbers · Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 12:08 pm Post subject:

Well you know, I have heard, that in NASCAR, they spray the wheels with PAM, to keep the brake dust from sticking. I guess I could try it, but it seems like that the PAM would just attract the dust.
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1980 924 Turbo

My924gtc · Joined: 14 Aug 2004 Posts: 1362 Location: 248