Has anyone else had problems with removing brake pad residue from their alloy wheels ?
Both rear wheels have after normal washing have black specs that are imbeded into the silver lacquer. normal brake dust cleaner (either Phosphoric acid based - Auto Glym or Hydrochloric acid based - Wonder wheels ) will not shift it. polishing with t-cut will get them out, but is a ball ache and I am not doing that again.
I have not had this problem either D2, and the fronts of the D3 are not as bad.
It is coming from the pads, but it could be they all do this, and it's crap lacquer on the wheels ?
Knowing the Americans had different pad material, as do the Far East market, so I guess this only applies to Europe.
"I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you read is not what I meant"
8th Jan 2008 8:23 pm
DN D3 Decade
Member Since: 23 Jun 2006
Location: W.London.
Posts: 2345
Yes I've noticed the same on both my 17" and 19" wheels. I don't think the quality of finish of LR alloys is up to much TBH, my 15 yr old BMW alloys still look better than my 2 yr old D3 alloys, after just a wash. I've given up trying now, the fingers hurt too much after all that polishing.
8th Jan 2008 8:32 pm
TazDaz
Member Since: 07 May 2007
Location: South East Essex
Posts: 2858
Member Since: 20 Feb 2006
Location: Here
Posts: 10865
Cant see any brake dust on my Wheels Can you see any on yours Si
8th Jan 2008 9:02 pm
countrywide
Member Since: 16 Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 6019
Had the same thing, I used AutoGlym tar remover and it wiped off easily. I had tried Wonder Wheels but it wouldn't touch it.
Good thing about the tar remover is that it is designed for bodywork so it isn't abrasive or damaging. A bit of AutoGlym polish seems to keep the dirt off longer.
10 - does this mean I am can expect failure of the EPB soon if that what is causing it
Countrywide - thanks I'll give that a try
"I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you read is not what I meant"
That make me think is poor lacquer on the wheels. The dealer is treating the wheels with a sealer of some discription.
"I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you read is not what I meant"
8th Jan 2008 9:53 pm
DaveT
Member Since: 01 Aug 2005
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2576
You may have noticed that most of the brake dust 'pitting' problems apply to the 18" style 1 5-spoke wheels.
They seem to be very efficient at collecting whatever is flung at them due to the 'flat' shape of the rim. (Also a problem with the new 18" style 2's.
19" and old 18" style 2's have a nice curved rim that suffers less.
As posted above, a good coating of polish protects them well...
... but even better is a thick coat of mud Long succession of Disco's since 2001...
SIII Lightweight - neglected & rusting. Bulkhead, A panels, vent panel & outriggers now disintegrated - Next years project!
8th Jan 2008 10:23 pm
KevF
Member Since: 07 Jan 2008
Location: Norwich
Posts: 137
Guys,
If you have used clay before, I tend to use a piece of clay specifically for wheels. Use it when washing the wheels down with the car wash mixture. This will remove all but the pitted stuff.
Once washed, dry off and then use a wheelwax such as Rimwax (unfortunate name) or I just use the same wax as on the bodywork, which is Collinite. This helps keep the wheel fronts a lot cleaner for longer and allows easy cleaning next time around.....
HTH
Kev
8th Jan 2008 10:50 pm
craig
Member Since: 08 Aug 2006
Location: Home of LR.
Posts: 2545
DaveT wrote:
... but even better is a thick coat of mud
remember that well Dave
also remember your SWMBOs face when you got stuck
I have tried some clay, it moved some, but not (as you say) the imbeded stuff.
The black imbeded bits I guess are bits of metal either from the pad material or from the disc, which are very hot and are imbeding into the clear powder coat lacquer. I am not sure however if the shave lacquer which is not resisting the hot bits of friction lining /disc or the D3 has brakes which shed hot metal filing more than other cars.
(I do know the US market uses (in general) a different friction lining material to stop the black dust upsetting the bling.)
"I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you read is not what I meant"
8th Jan 2008 11:21 pm
DaveT
Member Since: 01 Aug 2005
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2576
Rogue ... errr that might have been a little bit too much mud
Shiny Moose ... with perseverance the specks that look like they're welded into the wheel do come off.
I tried t-cut, tar remover, meths, white spirit, diesel, petrol, jif (cif), and a whole load of other stuff. Was about to try some Plymouth Export, then I came to my senses (& sold the car!)
The next set were polished before use & have never suffered in the same way, but then they are my off-road set, and therefore do get coated in mud.
If I ever do properly clean them up again I think I'll try the Taz Daz Mr Muscle method. Looks good to me Long succession of Disco's since 2001...
SIII Lightweight - neglected & rusting. Bulkhead, A panels, vent panel & outriggers now disintegrated - Next years project!
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if that what is causing it
(& sold the car!)
