Baked in/Etched in Black Specks on Wheels

BMW335i

New member
As you all probably know the brake dust on BMW's is both plentiful and damaging on the wheels of these cars.



I've somewhat recently come across bunches of little black specks on the surface of my wheels. If you rub your finger across them they will feel elevated and rough.



Long story short, I've tried pretty much everything to remove them: Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner, P21S, Lighter Fluid, Clay (mild-type), Bug & Tar Remover, scrubbing it with a toothbrush, etc. Nothing budges the specks.



I've heard a couple of people have used this product called Prosoco 600 with great results for this exact problem. The only issue with this is that this is a masonry and brick cleaner and contains hydrochloric acid, which I'm sure is not the greatest thing for wheels. I also have on hand an alkaline masonry and brick cleaner made by Zep, but that would probably ruin the wheels as well.



What can I do?
 
I have that stuff on BMW wheels too. This stuff is burnt in brake dust. I have just about given up. Not even wheel brightener does much for it.
 
The only tar remover product I have had success with is Stoner's Tarminator (in case it is tar splatter).



If it is burnt brake dust - can you post a picture of the wheel so we know what kind of finish you are working with?
 
The wheel is an OEM BMW clearcoated wheel. I've tried some Bug and Tar Remover but it didn't budge the specks at all. Just today I went at the spots with some WD40 and a credit card (to pick at the spots) and even that didn't come close to working.



I ordered some Griot's Garage Wheel Cleaning Clay in desperation but have little hope. I don't even think wheel brightener would work for this...Any ideas?
 
Be careful with WB.



I have/had similar black specks on my clearcoated wheels. I figured it was baked in break dust. I tried WB and it didnt even budge the specks. But I have a feeling that breakdust had been eating throught the cc because my cc is now peeling in those areas where I assume WB got under the clear where it had been compromised.



WB is powerful stuff!
 
I clayed my BMW's wheels yesterday and it removed some of the black specs. The baked on brake dust was hard to remove in other spots. I wonder if Iron-X would work. I think in my case there is not much that I can do. My car has extremely large disc brakes front and rear and relatively small wheels (17 inchers). I suspect that the brake dust just is too hot when it hits the wheel and burns through the clear coat. I suspect that 1 inch bigger wheels would be a lot better.
 
2005GTPinMD said:
I clayed my BMW's wheels yesterday and it removed some of the black specs. The baked on brake dust was hard to remove in other spots. I wonder if Iron-X would work. I think in my case there is not much that I can do. My car has extremely large disc brakes front and rear and relatively small wheels (17 inchers). I suspect that the brake dust just is too hot when it hits the wheel and burns through the clear coat. I suspect that 1 inch bigger wheels would be a lot better.



I've heard of this stuff called Prosoco 600, which is usually used as a Brick & Mortar cleaner...apparently (I've read up on this stuff by a google search) it does wonders on wheels for this exact problem. Only thing stopping me is the small chance that some of the acid might seep into microscopic holes in the clear coat and ruin the aluminum wheel underneath....
 
There might be hope for you.

There's a product called Iron X that dissolves those brake bits.

Here's the link, it's from the best site in Canada eh, so use it for informative purposes. Then find an American supplier. I'm thinking it's exactly what you want.

eShine Canada: CQuartz IronX (32oz)
 
JohnZ3MC said:
There might be hope for you.

There's a product called Iron X that dissolves those brake bits.

Here's the link, it's from the best site in Canada eh, so use it for informative purposes. Then find an American supplier. I'm thinking it's exactly what you want.

eShine Canada: CQuartz IronX (32oz)



Thanks! This looks promising, although I've used Sonax Full Effect with no success and they seem similar (both pH neutral and undergo color change). But I'll definitely hunt this stuff down and give it a shot.
 
Jonathan,



Tell me how it works.... I also have used the p2s rubbing compound with some success.



Or you could just buy some of the sweet wheels for sale on E90post ;)
 
2005GTPinMD said:
Jonathan,



Tell me how it works.... I also have used the p2s rubbing compound with some success.



Or you could just buy some of the sweet wheels for sale on E90post ;)



I'm not even sure if I can get Iron-X in the states...anyone know? Preferably OTC?
 
I doubt it'll ever be otc but that's just my take and I've been wrong before.

You could just get it from one of the Canadian suppliers, quicker than the UK suppliers.

Or, a google search turned up

http://www.detailersdomain.com/search.aspx?find=iron+X 16 bucks for 500 ml seems like a good deal. It looks like it'll save a million dollars in sheer aggrevation if it does get rid of the brake dust crud like some of those Utube videos show.

Or, there's always a cheaper alternative supposedly, the very new Wolf Chemicals Brake Duster. The Wolf product is supposed to work just like IronX and be less expensive - that's the good news. The not so good news is that Wolf Chemicals is based in Hungary so I'm not sure how long shipping would be.



Realistically, Detailers Domain or a Canadian source.

I'm thinking, you could do Detailer's domain, buy it, have it shipped to me and I could swing around and do your wheels. Really. Really.
 
Griot's Wheel Cleaning Clay did not work - didn't even make a dent. Made the wheels smoother for sure but didn't take out those deeply embedded brake dust particles.



Unfortunately if the clay didn't work I highly, highly doubt the Iron-X would work. My wheels are coated and the P21s polish would not work either.



My next move is Prosoco 600 - I've heard great things about this on a couple of forums. It's a strong acid used for cleaning mortar and brick.......let's see how it goes.
 
JohnZ3MC said:
Is iron x new?. - Page 2 - Detailing World

You might be a bit premature in your estimation of Iron X not working. Have a look at the photo in post #12 and remember it turns purple when it dissolves iron/brake bits. Quite dramatic.

Autogeek has it now too.



Yes, I've used Sonax Full Effect which also turns purple on contact with brake dust particles. In fact I used multiple applications with abrasive scrubbing (toothbrush). Did not even budge the spots even though they turned purple when the Sonax was applied. That's the reason I'm doubtful of Iron-X as they are similar chemicals.
 
Awhile back I read a few threads here about "wheel acid", I bought a gallon of it and have used it carefully ie spray on, leave a few minutes, agitate and wash off. I have never damaged any clear coated wheels with it but people seem to be wary of it. Do a search and see what you find.
 
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