Cars that are routinely used to drive usually have brake dust deposits on the wheels and hubcaps. When the driver applies the brakes of the vehicle, the pressure of the brake rotor will erode the brake pads and produce dust-like microparticles. Even though brake dust alone is unsightly, if left alone, it will cause scratches and stains on the aluminum wheels that are not easy to repair. In addition, inhaling certain types of brake dust over time has been reported to cause cancer, although this is quite rare. To maintain your vehicle's wheels (as well as your health), include wheel cleaning as part of your regular vehicle maintenance.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparation Stage
Step 1. Park the car on a flat surface with good drainage
- Install your vehicle's handbrake. Do not park the vehicle on an incline such as a ramp. Although the chances are slim, don't let the vehicle slide while you are working.
- Since in this method you will be using soap or a commercial wheel cleaning product, do not park the car where the rinse water will run into the storm drain. Preferably, the car is parked in the yard. The grass will absorb water and chemicals without contaminating the water supply in your area.
Step 2. Remove the hubcap from the vehicle's wheels
- Most modern hubcaps can be removed using only your fingers or a wide-pointed tool. However, some types of hubcaps are locked with plastic bolts and screws. If you are unsure of the type of hubcap on your car's wheels, consult your vehicle's user manual. If you open it forcibly, the screw or bolt may crack or even break.
- Caps can (and should) be washed, rinsed, and dried separately from aluminum wheels. Do not forget to wash the inside of the hubcap because the dust also settles there.
Step 3. Make sure the wheels are cool before starting to clean
- The braking process creates intense friction in the brake pads and discs (rotor). After braking hard, the temperature of the discs and other parts of the wheel can be quite hot. If you've just been driving, give the wheels time to cool down so you don't suffer a painful burn.
- To determine whether the wheel is hot or not, move the back of your hand slowly near the wheel when the hubcap is removed. If you still feel the heat emitting from the wheels, step back and allow the vehicle to cool down for a few minutes.
- Be aware that overheating after driving can signal a brake problem. Consider taking the vehicle to a repair shop for inspection if you feel intense heat radiating from the wheels.
Step 4. Put on a face mask and gloves before cleaning brake dust
- You need to know that there is some evidence to suggest that exposure to brake dust over time can contribute to a type of cancer called mesothelioma. However, the relationship is still not clearly understood and it is thought that its cancer-causing impact is limited to brake pads containing asbestos.
- To be safe, it is recommended that you put on a face mask and protective gloves before cleaning brake dust. However, no matter what precautions are taken (or not), the slightest exposure to brake dust that will cause cancer is still quite small.
Part 2 of 3: Cleaning the Wheels
Using Soap and Water
Step 1. Make a mixture of warm water and soap
- Mix soap and warm water for an inexpensive, easy-to-make dust cleaner. Pour 1 tsp (about 20 milliliters) of dish soap into a bucket of warm water.
- Stir briefly a few times with your hands or a stick before using.
Step 2. Rinse the wheel briefly
- Spray the aluminum wheels with hose water (not soapy water) to loosen any grease residue. It is best to get rid of unwanted elements on the wheels now so they don't scratch the wheels when you scrub later.
- To be very strong, attach a hose head that has a "jet" setting to the garden hose.
Step 3. Brush the brake dust off the aluminum wheels
- Next, take a small hand brush. Dip the brush in the soapy water and use it to scrub the wheels. Brake dust will come off easily, but you will need to press a little harder to get rid of stubborn deposits. Be patient and don't rush, and make sure you scrub all surfaces of the wheel without missing anything; don't forget the inside of the wheel, which can be easily seen if the vehicle has open-spoked wheels.
- Ideally, use a small soft-bristled or semi-rigid car brush that is easy to move. Ask if the auto repair shop or shop sells brushes specifically designed for vehicle wheels, which look like toilet cleaning brushes. You can also use a toothbrush or baby bottle cleaning brush to reach hard-to-reach areas of the wheel.
- Do not use a stiff, hard-bristled brush (such as a steel brush to clean the grill). These brushes can scratch and damage the aluminum outer layer of the wheel.
Step 4. Consider using a washing mitt
- One cleaning accessory that can make your job easier is a washing mitt. These gloves look like rubber gloves with brushed fingertips. Some vehicle maintenance experts say that this tool will make it easier to reach hard-to-reach parts of the wheel while others prefer a regular brush.
- If you want to experiment, cleaning mitts are usually sold quite cheaply at the repair shop for no more than IDR 150,000.00.
Step 5. Rinse each wheel to remove all soap residue
- When each wheel of the vehicle has been thoroughly scrubbed, flush it with a hose to remove all dust and soap suds.
- Repeat on each wheel. Usually, it's quicker to scrub all the wheels of your vehicle before rinsing, instead of scrubbing and rinsing each one as you don't waste time changing brushes and hoses.
Step 6. Repeat the scrubbing process as many times as needed
After rinsing, you may notice some spots on the wheels. If so, just scrub and rinse again until you're happy with the results
Using Cleaning Liquid Products
Step 1. Prepare a can of suitable wheel cleaning product
- Commercial wheel cleaning solutions (which generally don't cost more than IDR 1500.00) are quite effective at removing accumulated brake dust. However, before buying this product, be sure to read the label on the package because some cleaning products are specifically designed for wheels made of certain metals and can damage the wheels if used incorrectly.
- Based on research, Consumer Reports reports that Eagle One, Meguiars, and Mothers are the most effective products for cleaning wheels. However, the same research shows that Zep Industrial Purple Cleaner & Degreaser (a multipurpose cleaner brand) works better.
Step 2. Spray the cleaner directly onto the wheels
- Spray the cleaning product on the wheels (or apply as directed). Be sure to spray all areas of the wheel that you want to clean.
- Note that for certain types of wheel cleaning products, it is highly recommended to wear eye, mouth and hand protection, and not to inhale the fumes of cleaning products. Read the instructions on the packaging label to find out what protective equipment is needed.
Step 3. Consider using an oven cleaning product
- If you don't want to buy a wheel cleaner or can't find a product that fits your wheels, try using an oven cleaner. According to some amateur sources, oven cleaning products are able to remove deposits of dirt and brake dust from the wheels as well as commercial cleaning products.
- However, be aware that oven cleaning products are not designed for use on metal wheels. As such, the use of this product may adversely affect the wheels so use them with caution, especially if you are very concerned about the appearance of the wheels.
Step 4. Let the product wet the wheels
If you've sprayed a cleaning product, let it sit for a few minutes to loosen the dirt. The waiting time may vary depending on the product used, so read the instructions for use on the packaging
Step 5. Scrub the wheel with a brush
- Once the cleaning product has loosened the dirt, start scrubbing the wheels. You can use any rag or brush, but a wheel brush will give you the best results.
- As mentioned above, we recommend using a medium-bristled brush for this step. If it's too stiff, the bristles can scratch the surface of the wheel.
Step 6. Rinse and re-spray the cleaning product as needed
- As with the soap and water method above, rinse the wheel with water after scrubbing to remove any residual foam and scum. Remember, do not allow rinse water to enter storm drains as the chemicals in cleaning products are quite hazardous and should not mix with the water supply.
- Rinse the missing parts of the wheel. Feel free to go back to spraying, scrubbing, and rinsing if you're still not satisfied with the results.
Part 3 of 3: Finishing the Cleanup
Step 1. Dry all wheels immediately
- If you are satisfied with the appearance of the wheels, dry immediately. If you delay, the water drops can dry on the wheels and leave spots. You've worked hard cleaning the wheels so don't let your efforts go to waste!
- Ideally, use an old terry towel or an all-purpose washcloth. It's a good idea to use a soft towel so that it doesn't leave marks, while high-quality fabrics (such as microfiber cloth) can be damaged if used on the wheels, even when the wheels are clean.
Step 2. Consider waxing the wheels for long term protection
- High-quality wheel wax can help keep the wheels in the best condition possible by preventing the accumulation of brake dust that can damage the wheels over time. Before the hubcap is put back on, it's best to wax the wheel first; This process does not take long and is very beneficial in the long run.
- For maximum protection, re-wax your wheels every 6 months as part of a regular vehicle maintenance session.
Step 3. Put each hubcap back on
When you're done washing, rinsing, and drying the wheels, your job is more or less done. Reinstall all hubcaps (which should be soaked and cleaned separately) to complete your cleaning
Tips
- Ask for high-quality brake pads when the vehicle's brakes are serviced. Thus, the brake dust produced is much reduced and the brakes are much more grippy.
- Wash the wheels regularly so that brake dust doesn't build up too thickly.
- Brake dust causes permanent damage if the wheels are not cleaned regularly. Permanent notch stains will appear on the aluminum wheels due to brake dust.
- Install the brake dust shield between the brake rotor and the wheel. This shield works by blocking brake dust. If your vehicle is high-performance, purchase a ventilated brake dust guard set so that the brakes cool faster after driving.
- Take the vehicle to a repair shop to have the brakes checked as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Brakes that are properly maintained will work more efficiently and produce less brake dust.
