[Barryng]

My Boxster has both the paint protection film and ceramic coating. With respect to the painted surfaces, after a year of experience, I am very satisfied. It really does almost wash itself clean by driving in a heavy rain. However, even though the wheels are supposed to be ceramic coated, it is a time consuming pain in the ass to clean the heavy accumulation of tenacious brake dust. A direct spray from the hose does nothing consequential. Although the brake dust does wipe off relatively easily, every square nanometer of surface, nook, and cranny must be wiped. I use a variety of brushes but cleaning the four wheels consumes much more time and effort than washing the rest of the car so I am looking for a better solution. I also wonder about the effects of the spray of brake dust on me as I use the brushes to aggressively get into all the nooks etc.

Worx markets two battery powered pressure cleaners. These devices look like they have the potential of making wheel cleaning very easy and quick. This is assuming a 320 psi or 450 psi (depending on model) will wash away the brake dust. If it does eliminate the need to manually wipe/brush the wheels I will buy one immediately. However, I would first like to know if anyone else has used one and how effective it is blasting off the brake dust. There are two models, a 40V and 20V with rated pressures of 450 psi and 320 psi, respectively. Are these pressures sufficient to remove the unsightly brake dust?

 

[JazzCatGab]

I have the 20V and just washed my wheels with it today. It does great in many ways, but I still need to use my brush before spraying it with the Worx. Maybe the more powerful one would do better. My dust today had been wet and so that may have made it more difficult. I think it does better with dry dust, if memory from last driving season serves.

 

[ArchiProf]

@both. Do either of you use Sonax or a similar product?

 

[Third]

My Boxster has both the paint protection film and ceramic coating. With respect to the painted surfaces, after a year of experience, I am very satisfied. It really does almost wash itself clean by driving in a heavy rain. However, even though the wheels are supposed to be ceramic coated, it is a time consuming pain in the ass to clean the heavy accumulation of tenacious brake dust. A direct spray from the hose does nothing consequential. Although the brake dust does wipe off relatively easily, every square nanometer of surface, nook, and cranny must be wiped. I use a variety of brushes but cleaning the four wheels consumes much more time and effort than washing the rest of the car so I am looking for a better solution. I also wonder about the effects of the spray of brake dust on me as I use the brushes to aggressively get into all the nooks etc.

Worx markets two battery powered pressure cleaners. These devices look like they have the potential of making wheel cleaning very easy and quick. This is assuming a 320 psi or 450 psi (depending on model) will wash away the brake dust. If it does eliminate the need to manually wipe/brush the wheels I will buy one immediately. However, I would first like to know if anyone else has used one and how effective it is blasting off the brake dust. There are two models, a 40V and 20V with rated pressures of 450 psi and 320 psi, respectively. Are these pressures sufficient to remove the unsightly brake dust?

A no-touch or little-effort solution to removing brake dust has to be the holy grail for car detailers. I've certainly never found one. In any case, be careful with power washers around your PPF. They'll lift it at the seams if you're not paying attention.

 

[JazzCatGab]

@both. Do either of you use Sonax or a similar product?

I haven't and it may be something to consider. Like @Barryng I have a ceramic coating on the wheels but if the dust gets wet before it can be sprayed off, it is more difficult to remove. By more difficult, I mean you actually have to do something. ;-) I just washed my car yesterday and used a wheel brush with a Worx spray rinse. Here's a picture before I took it out and used the brakes to clean off the rust. Almost looks like I have the ceramic brakes from a distance! Also, bad asphalt doesn't help it look clean.

 

[Barryng]

OK, two things gleaned from the responses above; there is really no way to remove break dust without wiping it off and there is no justification here for wasting $225+ on the Worx 40V power washer.

So, typically, for only moderately aggressive street driving, how many miles can I expect from the front brakes? Years ago I had a similar chronic problem with a new 2002 BMW Z3 and replacing the pads with Akebono ceramic pads just about totally solved the problem, without any noticeable affect on braking.

Thanks for the responses above.

 

[GTS18BGTS]

The issue with spraying the wheels with a hose or pressure waster is you will exacerbate the brake dust issue. It's not brake dust that will end up on the wheels after this. It's oxidation from the rotors. The way in which I mitigate that scenario is by immediately spraying the rotors with honing solution that I use on my hand tools - chisels, plane irons, etc. HoneRite. I spray each rotor immediately after washing that wheel. Works like a charm.

 

[Foosh]

Car forums always cost me a lot of money. HoneRite order placed.

 

[Barryng]

The issue with spraying the wheels with a hose or pressure waster is you will exacerbate the brake dust issue. It's not brake dust that will end up on the wheels after this. It's oxidation from the rotors. ...

I did not know that. I think, just from my anecdotal observations, the deposits on the wheels must also consist of debris directly from the pads themselves. My logic stems from 2005 or so when I replaced the factory pads on a 2002 BMW Z3 with Akebono ceramic pads and almost completely eliminated a severe problem with brake dust quickly accumulating on the alloy wheels. At the same time I also replaced the factory rotors with Brembo rotors so maybe the Brembo rotor alloy was less subject to oxidation. Nevertheless, I had assumed it was the ceramic pads that made the big difference.

 

[GTS18BGTS]

I did not know that. I think, just from my anecdotal observations, the deposits on the wheels must also consist of debris directly from the pads themselves. My logic stems from 2005 or so when I replaced the factory pads on a 2002 BMW Z3 with Akebono ceramic pads and almost completely eliminated a severe problem with brake dust quickly accumulating on the alloy wheels. At the same time I also replaced the factory rotors with Brembo rotors so maybe the Brembo rotor alloy was less subject to oxidation. Nevertheless, I had assumed it was the ceramic pads that made the big difference.

Oh there's certainly dust from the pads, but after washing and getting the rotors wet, what you'll see is the oxidation occur within minutes. Once you get rolling, that oxidation ends up on the wheels. The HoneRite I mentioned does mitigate that to a great extent.

Oxidation also happens after a driving session. As the hot rotors cool, and depending upon the ambient temps, oxidation will also form on the rotors. It's the nature of the material. I guess that's why some go for the steep cost of ceramic rotors even though they're not racing. And as you suggested, some pads dust less than others, but then they have a possibility of squealing a bit.

Interesting about the Bembro rotors. May have to give them some serious consideration if they have a fitment for the 718. I have Hawk pads on my 350Z and they do squeal some when cold. It usually happens when pulling out of the driveway after the car has been parked for a period of time, but they quiet after warming up.

 

[Foosh]

The ceramic pads do make a huge difference in dust reduction. The pads on virtually all performance-oriented German cars are of the high-dusting variety. They stop better and fade less, but for street use, a high quality ceramic pad will be low-dusting, and are more than adequate for street use.

 

[Foosh]

In the Corvette world, many replace the Brembo pads w/ Carbotech ceramic pads, and the difference in dust is like night and day.

 

[antennahead]

I did not know that. I think, just from my anecdotal observations, the deposits on the wheels must also consist of debris directly from the pads themselves. My logic stems from 2005 or so when I replaced the factory pads on a 2002 BMW Z3 with Akebono ceramic pads and almost completely eliminated a severe problem with brake dust quickly accumulating on the alloy wheels. At the same time I also replaced the factory rotors with Brembo rotors so maybe the Brembo rotor alloy was less subject to oxidation. Nevertheless, I had assumed it was the ceramic pads that made the big difference.

I too changed the pads on my Z4 M Roadster to Akebono ceramics and the reduction in pad dust/dirty wheels was phenomenal, well worth it for street use only, IMHO.

 

[CraigK]

The issue with spraying the wheels with a hose or pressure waster is you will exacerbate the brake dust issue. It's not brake dust that will end up on the wheels after this. It's oxidation from the rotors. The way in which I mitigate that scenario is by immediately spraying the rotors with honing solution that I use on my hand tools - chisels, plane irons, etc. HoneRite. I spray each rotor immediately after washing that wheel. Works like a charm.

This is fantastic information. I’ve been “struggling” with this issue for a while. (First world problems!). How exactly do you apply this stuff? Mix it in a spray bottle? What ratio? Just looking for some more exact usage info. Also, is overspray visible on wheels or anything?

 

[Foosh]

Found it on Amazon. Just go there and search, HoneRite.

 

[GTS18BGTS]

How exactly do you apply this stuff? Mix it in a spray bottle? What ratio? Just looking for some more exact usage info. Also, is overspray visible on wheels or anything?

Yes and yes lol The mixing directions are right on the Amazon link - add 40ml to 1 liter of water. The bottle will make a little over 6 liters of solution. You want to flood the rotor with the spray especially since they will already be wet from washing the car and wheels. If you get spray on the wheels, just wipe it dry.

 

[CraigK]

Ordered it. Just another step to add now to my already several hour meticulous wash routine. I’m looking forward to trying this. Thanks!

 

[Nosmo]

The issue with spraying the wheels with a hose or pressure waster is you will exacerbate the brake dust issue. It's not brake dust that will end up on the wheels after this. It's oxidation from the rotors. The way in which I mitigate that scenario is by immediately spraying the rotors with honing solution that I use on my hand tools - chisels, plane irons, etc. HoneRite. I spray each rotor immediately after washing that wheel. Works like a charm.

I have used Atom Mac from Bilt Hamber for the same purpose. Apply before and after cleaning. A bottle last a long time. The link to the Bilt Hamber (UK) website is here.

 

[Chris NZ]

I used Fireball Iron Burn Ultra on my wheels (but any similar iron fallout remover should achieve similar results). I don't use it every time as it's not necessary (maybe every second or third wash). A quick spray, leave for a few minutes and spread around with a wheel brush and hose off. I would say it get's the wheel at least 90% clean for very little effort. I then follow up with my standard car shampoo, although to be fair you probably don't need to. Or you could use something like Bilberry Wheel Cleaner from Valet Pro.

Once i've finished i take the car for a drive to remove the oxidation from the discs, check the tyres etc. come back and wipe away any water that may have escaped from cracks etc. as well as wipe the wheels down a second time to remove the oxidation dust that is now on the wheels (especially the inner barrels).

One thing I have noticed is that the oxidation is more of a problem since the car has been driven less due to lockdown and I have even noticed a thin ring of oxidation around the inner and out edges of the rear discs. My guess is that the pads aren't covering the entire surface. Interestingly enough I noticed a similar pattern on cars at my dealer when i was there a few weeks back.

 

[MLJJ]

For between wet washes I've used this to wipe dust/rust from the wheels. It takes me 5 minutes to do all 4. It certainly doesn't substitute for a wet wash but it's quick and does a decent job. At least it makes me feel a little better than seeing rust stains/dust.