Cleaning Race Pads off wheels? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

swift996 · 07-30-2013, 07:55 PM

I spent an hour with a brillo pad and half a bottle of wheel cleaner. Any super formula that brakes up this crud? Mine is caked on like paint.

ModBargains.com · 07-30-2013, 08:13 PM

Don't use wheel cleaners!! Wheel cleaners sure make it easier to take off brake dust, but ultimately they're acidic chemicals, which if used too much, or too often, will over time peel away at the clear coat of wheels. I'd suggest just soap and water, and if that doesn't work out, then get a pressure washer and blast them off. If it's caked on like paint as you say, well then I'd suggest to do your best to get it off, then put a fresh coat of wheel wax over them so that you don't have to do it all over again the next track day.

Or just buy track wheels that you don't care about and leave it dirty as hell... That's what I do.

CSG Mike · 07-30-2013, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swift996

I spent an hour with a brillo pad and half a bottle of wheel cleaner. Any super formula that brakes up this crud? Mine is caked on like paint.

What pads were you using? Some pads are wheel friendly, while others are not.
@ModBargains.com: not all wheels utilize a clearcoat...

swift996 · 07-30-2013, 08:32 PM

I'm running racing pads on the street.

The fronts which cake on the matter are Wilwood BP-30s.

The rears are carbotech xp-10s but those just take a little TLC, the fronts are a mission.

CSG Mike · 07-30-2013, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swift996

I'm running racing pads on the street.

The fronts which cake on the matter are Wilwood BP-30s.

The rears are carbotech xp-10s but those just take a little TLC, the fronts are a mission.

Carbotech dust is super easy to take off, as long as you don't bake it on at a wet track day.

The BP30... good luck

After you're done, I suggest you put sealant on your wheels. It may make the next cleaning easier.

rice_classic · 07-30-2013, 08:39 PM

I used Acetone to clean my wheels. Maybe that's not the right direction for you but it worked really well for me.

Acetone or Brakleen work wonders. Heck, if your woman uses Acetone to take off her nail polish you have to believe it's not going to rot away your wheels otherwise... WTF are her nails made of?

PS: My wheels are $130/per and I commonly break 1-2 of them a year.

mrk1 · 07-30-2013, 09:14 PM

run dark colored wheels, been doing it for years. If it gets bad I have a young guy who helps out at the shop, he will scrub them if he gets to take the car for a spin.

donutfilling · 07-30-2013, 09:35 PM

My opticoated my wheels when I got them. Waiting for a track day or two and time before I post how effective it is.

Dave-ROR · 07-30-2013, 09:46 PM

Rain?

Oh you mean actually clean them?

Dunno, buy black wheels and roll with it.

<< doesn't clean his track wheels.

CSG David · 07-30-2013, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donutfilling

My opticoated my wheels when I got them. Waiting for a track day or two and time before I post how effective it is.

We have a secret video on washing a car with opti-coated wheels. Mind is

donutfilling · 07-30-2013, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSG David

We have a secret video on washing a car with opti-coated wheels. Mind is

Good to know

guess ill offer this service to people more. I did it for my stock wheels and I hated them so I didn't bother to try to clean them too much x_x

mla163 · 07-30-2013, 10:09 PM

Try wheel wax to lay down a base coat. Brakleen is not good for paint or finishes. That will take off anything.

CSG Mike · 07-30-2013, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donutfilling

Good to know

guess ill offer this service to people more. I did it for my stock wheels and I hated them so I didn't bother to try to clean them too much x_x

Disclaimer: It was race pad dust under light use conditions.

swift996 · 07-31-2013, 08:57 AM

FYI - I think I'll pull the wheels off one weekend clean them and apply PoorBoys:
http://www.poorboysworld.com/wheel-sealant.htm

Hopefully that will help out or I need to get some gunmetal wheels.

07-30-2013, 07:55 PM	#1
swift996 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: Subaru BRZ Limited 6MT Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 2,432 Thanks: 712 Thanked 955 Times in 545 Posts Mentioned: 47 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Cleaning Race Pads off wheels? I spent an hour with a brillo pad and half a bottle of wheel cleaner. Any super formula that brakes up this crud? Mine is caked on like paint. __________________ Innovate Supercharged Black Limited BRZ 6-Speed MT(Build Thread) 2010 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan M6 w/550whp (Build Thread)

07-30-2013, 08:32 PM	#4
swift996 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: Subaru BRZ Limited 6MT Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 2,432 Thanks: 712 Thanked 955 Times in 545 Posts Mentioned: 47 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I'm running racing pads on the street. The fronts which cake on the matter are Wilwood BP-30s. The rears are carbotech xp-10s but those just take a little TLC, the fronts are a mission. __________________ Innovate Supercharged Black Limited BRZ 6-Speed MT(Build Thread) 2010 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan M6 w/550whp (Build Thread)

07-30-2013, 08:39 PM	#6
rice_classic Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: Nevermorange FRS Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 4,173 Thanks: 757 Thanked 4,208 Times in 1,808 Posts Mentioned: 78 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	I used Acetone to clean my wheels. Maybe that's not the right direction for you but it worked really well for me. Acetone or Brakleen work wonders. Heck, if your woman uses Acetone to take off her nail polish you have to believe it's not going to rot away your wheels otherwise... WTF are her nails made of? PS: My wheels are $130/per and I commonly break 1-2 of them a year. __________________ SCCA T4 - FRS

07-30-2013, 09:14 PM	#7
mrk1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: Sterling BRZ Ltd Location: New England Posts: 1,702 Thanks: 403 Thanked 1,389 Times in 671 Posts Mentioned: 21 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	run dark colored wheels, been doing it for years. If it gets bad I have a young guy who helps out at the shop, he will scrub them if he gets to take the car for a spin. __________________ The Build Thread GT28RS - eBoost2 - 3.91 Final Drive - Supra LSD

07-30-2013, 09:46 PM	#9
Dave-ROR Site Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Drives: Stuff Location: Florida Posts: 10,317 Thanks: 955 Thanked 5,965 Times in 2,689 Posts Mentioned: 262 Post(s) Tagged: 8 Thread(s)	Rain? Oh you mean actually clean them? Dunno, buy black wheels and roll with it. << doesn't clean his track wheels. __________________ -Dave Track cars: 2013 Scion FRS, 1998 Acura Integra Type-R, 1993 Honda Civic Hatchback DD: 2005 Acura TSX Tow: 2022 F-450 Toys: 2001 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 1993 Toyota MR2 Turbo, 1994 Toyota MR2 Turbo, 1991 Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Parts: 2015 Subaru BRZ Limited, 2005 Acura TSX Projects: 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited track car build FS: 2004 GMC Sierra 2500 LT CCSB 8.1/Allison with 99k miles

07-30-2013, 08:13 PM	#2
ModBargains.com Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Drives: FR-S Location: La Habra, CA Posts: 1,526 Thanks: 88 Thanked 416 Times in 274 Posts Mentioned: 63 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Don't use wheel cleaners!! Wheel cleaners sure make it easier to take off brake dust, but ultimately they're acidic chemicals, which if used too much, or too often, will over time peel away at the clear coat of wheels. I'd suggest just soap and water, and if that doesn't work out, then get a pressure washer and blast them off. If it's caked on like paint as you say, well then I'd suggest to do your best to get it off, then put a fresh coat of wheel wax over them so that you don't have to do it all over again the next track day. Or just buy track wheels that you don't care about and leave it dirty as hell... That's what I do.

07-30-2013, 09:35 PM	#8
donutfilling Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: frs Location: LA Posts: 319 Thanks: 55 Thanked 75 Times in 45 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	My opticoated my wheels when I got them. Waiting for a track day or two and time before I post how effective it is.

07-30-2013, 10:09 PM	#12
mla163 Overthinking it Join Date: May 2012 Drives: BRZ in CS Location: DC Posts: 271 Thanks: 27 Thanked 81 Times in 48 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Try wheel wax to lay down a base coat. Brakleen is not good for paint or finishes. That will take off anything.

07-31-2013, 08:57 AM	#14
swift996 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: Subaru BRZ Limited 6MT Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 2,432 Thanks: 712 Thanked 955 Times in 545 Posts Mentioned: 47 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	FYI - I think I'll pull the wheels off one weekend clean them and apply PoorBoys: http://www.poorboysworld.com/wheel-sealant.htm Hopefully that will help out or I need to get some gunmetal wheels. __________________ Innovate Supercharged Black Limited BRZ 6-Speed MT(Build Thread) 2010 Cadillac CTS-V Sedan M6 w/550whp (Build Thread)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
DIY - Changing Your Brake Pads (Race Pads upgrade)	PMok	DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Guides	53	09-03-2021 06:17 PM
TF Brake Cooling Kit // Race Pads // Rotors // BBK // Lines // Hardware	Touge Factory	Brakes, Suspension, Chassis	15	02-17-2015 07:57 PM
Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.3 Wheels (Track wheels) CHEAP!!!!	Evasive Motorsports	Wheels and Tires	4	07-29-2013 09:46 PM
Is there anything better than a rag for cleaning wheels?	qoncept	Cosmetic Maintenance (Wash, Wax, Detailing, Body Repairs)	10	05-21-2013 11:00 PM
Hawk Blue 9012 Race Pads	sw20kosh	Tracking / Autocross / HPDE / Drifting	15	02-14-2013 11:57 PM

User Name		Remember Me?
Password