Black stuff on rims (how to clean)

[ynottony]

I just washed my '08 CPO 5 series for the first time yesterday....

On the driver's side front wheel, I found a bunch of black stuff that
would not come off, even when I got on my hands and knees
and tried to muscle it off with some soap and water and sponge.

I know there are products at Autozone that can clean wheels,
but the majority of the ones I found say "do not use on aluminum".


Can anyone recommend how I should go about cleaning this black
crap off my wheels?


thanks

[brunp]

I just washed my '08 CPO 5 series for the first time yesterday....

On the driver's side front wheel, I found a bunch of black stuff that
would not come off, even when I got on my hands and knees
and tried to muscle it off with some soap and water and sponge.

I know there are products at Autozone that can clean wheels,
but the majority of the ones I found say "do not use on aluminum".


Can anyone recommend how I should go about cleaning this black
crap off my wheels?


thanks

The black stuff is quite simply "Brake Dust" and should be cleaned up usually every two weeks to avoid them from betting caked on the rims......

There are cleaners out there, spray on ones that will loosening it up....and a combination of that and a pressure washer will get it all cleaned up......

Once cleaned up, I would suggest some kind of a wheel-wax so you all that is required is a hose to clean off the brake-dust.

Paul

[ynottony]

Car is CPO, so previous owner didn't take good care of it.....it was a lease so to be expected.

Thanks for the tips, will go out to Autozone to get the necessary mats.

[2000mkoop]

wheels are polished aluminum?

+10 on wheel wax, must have

[Critter7r]

The products that say "do not use on aluminum" are speaking of bare aluminum. Painted aluminum is another story and safe to use *most* of those products on. And being an '08, if you can't get the brake dust off with soap and water, then that car was never cleaned when the PO had it.

P.S. Once you get the caked-on stuff cleaned off, it'll be much easier to keep clean by washing with soap and water every week or two.

[brunp]

And make sure you wax the clean wheels. I know dealers use a chemical that gets that stuff clean up nicely, but they have to be quick as it would start to eat through the alloy if left on too long. Now, imagine if that stuff gets on your skin......if it can eat through alloy...

Paul

[BMW525i]

never dull works great if the brake dust simply won't come off. safe for all wheels.

[Critter7r]

And make sure you wax the clean wheels. I know dealers use a chemical that gets that stuff clean up nicely, but they have to be quick as it would start to eat through the alloy if left on too long. Now, imagine if that stuff gets on your skin......if it can eat through alloy...

Paul

Yeah... the stuff we use is the stuff you find at the store that says "do not use on aluminum". We dilute ours 50/50 with water to make it a little less volatile. But it doesn't actually eat through the aluminum... it just stains it, and does a kind of chemical etching into the clear coat of the wheels and makes them look bad.

[ynottony]

Ok, you all convinced me to buy some wheel wax !!

Went out and bought the Eagle 1 spray can rim cleaning stuff. I now have a feeling that if the dealer couldn't get it off.....not sure if I'm going to have any luck when I was it this weekend...

[GunnerNell]

Make sure your wheels are not hot when you hit them with the spray stuff. Those sprays can do the worst damage when the wheels are hot.

[swill424242]

i have the same problem just picked up a 91 528i and the dude never cleaned the rims i was busting my hands trying to clean them

[JAYBA]

Do you guys rate the AutoGlym suff?

[lbcbmw]

I have used a product called Cerama-Bryte.... I know it sounds weird but it works great. It's intended use is to clean my wife's ceramic oven cook top. The reason is works so well is it is designed to clean off that surface and not scratch it. I have used it on all kinds of wheels. It has a very fine abrasive so try it on the back side or some place not noticed before you go all out.

It really does work well.

[GunnerNell]

Hey lbcbmw, is that stuff made of ground up egg shells? If so, it's the same thing as Bon Ami, which has the same uses in the kitchen. And if it's the same, I'll bet you can get Bon Ami for a lot less than the other stuff. THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT FOR ANY PRODUCT FOR ANY USES. Just wondering.

[Eddy@ApexRaceParts]

I always use clay bar on any used set of wheels I buy to get off the brake dust spots.

[lbcbmw]

I am not sure what it is made off. i will check the label tonight. Clay bar is a good idea as well.