BigCarrot
Enthusiast
You could crack them if they are really hot. I like to drive it easy on the home stretch to allow the brakes to cool down a bit. They are less prone to warping if you do that.
Any problem with this?
- Thread starter BigCarrot
- Start date
Chuck 98 RT/10
Enthusiast
Probably not hurting them much. I use wet paper towels.
snakebitdave
Enthusiast
Seems the wheels get dirtier much faster than the rest of the car right? I was under the impression that wiping the brake dust off the wheels, even with damp clothes, without a rinsing first may cause skratches. What do others think and do?
Nexus-6
Enthusiast
I've found a method that works well for me.
I use one of the smaller California Dusters (the ones intended for interior use) to lightly dust the wheels. This removes 80% of the dust just like that.
I follow up with a quick spray of Z6 on each wheel to remove any wax streaks from the duster and pockets of dust it didn't pick up.
Takes me about 10 minutes or so tops - and I don't have to get anything wet.
(note that the mini dusters get pretty dirty doing this...you'll need a few mini dusters for just the wheels and nothing else - I go through one mini duster about once a month and get about 20-30 cleanings out of it but they're pretty cheap)
I use one of the smaller California Dusters (the ones intended for interior use) to lightly dust the wheels. This removes 80% of the dust just like that.
I follow up with a quick spray of Z6 on each wheel to remove any wax streaks from the duster and pockets of dust it didn't pick up.
Takes me about 10 minutes or so tops - and I don't have to get anything wet.
(note that the mini dusters get pretty dirty doing this...you'll need a few mini dusters for just the wheels and nothing else - I go through one mini duster about once a month and get about 20-30 cleanings out of it but they're pretty cheap)
S
SUN RA KAT
Guest
I rinse 'em first before on my driveway before I drive on the road. Then I get what's left with either as paper towel or a cotton towel. I also use ECB Green pads, which are great for the street (use stock pads or better for the track), because they produce very little dust compared to the stock pads.
Nexus-6's way is better than my way. I need to put in my order to Zaino for almost all the Zaino products this week.
Nexus-6's way is better than my way. I need to put in my order to Zaino for almost all the Zaino products this week.
Casey
Enthusiast
Keep a good coat of wax on them and use the California Duster already mentioned!
Chuck 98 RT/10
Enthusiast
Theoretically yes.
I used to Zaino the wheels. But with 65K on my 98 RT/10 I don’t have time to detail rims. They still look great after all those miles and a wipe down.
EBC green or red brake pads will almost completely eliminate brake dust. Contact Steve Pasztor at Great Brakes 972 743 9443 for EBCs and great service.
KenH
Enthusiast
With the stock pads, I would pressure hose my rims and calipers off before I took it out for a drive. Keeps the wheels looking decent without really having to wash and dry them each time and I found that flushing the brake dust out of the calipers seemed to prevent them from squeaking for the first few hours of driving. By doing it before I went out, the brakes would get a chance to dry rather than sitting and rusting overnight as would happen if I sprayed them when I got home.
--- Ken
--- Ken
snakebitdave
Enthusiast
Thanks for the duster tip. Anything to hasten wheel clean-up is appreciated. Where may I purchase these California Dusters?
_Niz_
Enthusiast
Costco has a good deal on a set. You get a big car duster and the little duster combo plus it comes with a storage bag.
Its under $20.
Its under $20.
Nexus-6
Enthusiast
I buy them online at their website...
Mini duster
They're $9...I usually just buy a bunch and it lasts me a year or so.
Mini duster
They're $9...I usually just buy a bunch and it lasts me a year or so.
joe117
Enthusiast
I never heard of water hurting hot brakes. But seem's like it could be a bad thing. I'd let it cool a little.
Also, get green pads, no dust.
Are you sure the brakes are not dragging? I don't think they should always be so hot after a normal drive...not every time.
Also, get green pads, no dust.
Are you sure the brakes are not dragging? I don't think they should always be so hot after a normal drive...not every time.
If you are out driving in the rain, which some of us do,
(it handles very well, actually) and you run through water,
the brakes get quite soaked with no problems. The water flashes
into steam, and it is not a problem. I cannot imagine a little
water spray in the driveway would be more of a problem than
road water. Wheels and brakes get wet and hot. ( I used to help
manage GM's brake and bearing plant, never heard of water being a
problem for brakes.) I still let it cool a little before cleaning,
but not concerned about water damage.
(it handles very well, actually) and you run through water,
the brakes get quite soaked with no problems. The water flashes
into steam, and it is not a problem. I cannot imagine a little
water spray in the driveway would be more of a problem than
road water. Wheels and brakes get wet and hot. ( I used to help
manage GM's brake and bearing plant, never heard of water being a
problem for brakes.) I still let it cool a little before cleaning,
but not concerned about water damage.
Driving to Kmart and back then hosing the brakes shouldn't hurt anything. If you're running 1/4s and/or autocross I'd wait just to be safe...
I hope EBCs are better than billex because I am about fed up with blackened front rims...
I hope EBCs are better than billex because I am about fed up with blackened front rims...
snakebitdave
Enthusiast
Thanks Nexus, I'll order some today.
Another reason I let the car cool down some before hosing it is because I tend to get hard water spots on the side sills if they are still hot.
Another reason I let the car cool down some before hosing it is because I tend to get hard water spots on the side sills if they are still hot.
genXgts
Enthusiast
While only this year I have battled my addiction to washing the car completely (and then not driving it for a day to avoid water streaks) after each and every time I drive it, I now allow touch up cleanings if I have only driven a few miles.
On a cool rim I hit the entire rim in plain old windex and wipe clean with a decent rag, hit all four rims in 5 mintues.
Over a year and the rims look good, although have several coats of wax on them aids on the removal and the dust never really gets into the rim in my opinion.
At dyno day Dan from the Prowler Club offered some Zaino wheel cleaner, and it did admittingly work well, as it should for the price!
On a cool rim I hit the entire rim in plain old windex and wipe clean with a decent rag, hit all four rims in 5 mintues.
Over a year and the rims look good, although have several coats of wax on them aids on the removal and the dust never really gets into the rim in my opinion.
At dyno day Dan from the Prowler Club offered some Zaino wheel cleaner, and it did admittingly work well, as it should for the price!
