How to Clean Brake Dust Within Minutes and Prevent it From Happening Again

Today is a day when you will learn how to clean brake dust from the wheels of your car. This is a serious issue that has countless side effects. First of all, it will make your wheels look old and dirty. The situation is even worse if you have silver paint on the wheels. Then we can see that brake dust can damage the paint and the metal beneath it permanently. The fix is expensive, and you will have to remove the tire and wheel to sort this out. Luckily you can remove brake dust and prevent it from happening again using this simple guide.

What Causes Brake Dust?

The first question you may have is what brake dust is. In order to properly learn how to clean brake dust, you need to know why this issue occurs in the first place. Cars use rotors and brake pads to stop. When you press a brake pedal, pistons inside the calipers will push the brake pads against the rotors, causing friction and stop your car. Brake pads are designed for this purpose, and they use softer materials than rotors. For instance, some brake pads use brass, iron, and similar metals, which won’t damage the rotor.

That friction causes brake pads to deteriorate and to lose a thin layer of material with each braking. That layer is tightly pressed between the rotor and the brake pads, and it will literally turn into dust. This is a common issue with low-end cheap brake pads.

Most of the dust consists of iron, 90% actually. The rest is carbon which is a by-product of the process. Add heat, and you can see why brake dust sticks to the wheels and why it is so hard to remove. Using a cloth and water is ineffective in this case scenario. Brake dust cleaner, on the other hand, is a far more effective and desirable method.

How to Clean Brake Dust (Step By Step)

Things you will need:

Now is the time to start explaining how to clean brake dust off rotors and wheels. This is a simple task that requires basic tools, as you saw during your time. Nothing else is needed, so you can tackle this process in your garage. Also, some of you may have heard that an Oven cleaner for brake dust can be used. This is partially true. You will get some effects, but they won’t be as great as you may have hoped. Using the ingredients from the list above is a much safer option. Anyway, you will need to follow the steps mentioned below.

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Let the Car Cool Down

The first step in cleaning the brake dust guide is the most obvious. You need to let the car and the brakes cool down. If you start when the rotors and brakes are hot, you will cause rapid metal shrinkage, which can lead to cracks in the metal itself. This simply means that your brakes will be damaged and they might fail completely while driving! You should begin the process once you can hold your hand on the wheel without burning the skin.

Use a Pressure Washer to Spray the Wheels

This step is basic, as well. You will have to spray the wheels with the pressure washer to remove as much dust as possible in the shortest time. By doing this, you will literally make the entire process easier. If you don’t have a pressure washer, rent one. You can also purchase a new unit for as low as $50. If this isn’t an option, you can use a hose and water. This is slightly more annoying because if you don’t use pressure, you will be left with more dust to remove in the next steps.

Spray the Wheel Cleaner Solution

Spray your wheel cleaner onto the wheels and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. This solution is designed to remove the hardest stains and debris from the wheels without damaging the paint, tires, or valves. The key is to spray all wheel parts, focusing on the areas where dust is most prevalent. You can see how the cleaner will work and how it will start removing the dust and other debris. Once the time has passed, you can move to the next step.

Use a wheel brush

Now you will have to get your hands dirty. Don’t worry; this is a simple step. Using the brush, rub wheel cleaner onto the wheels, focusing on the dust areas. Rub as much as you can for 10 minutes per wheel. Eventually, you will notice that the dust will start breaking off and will be removed from the wheels. When needed, spray the wheel cleaner again and use the brush once more.

There are many wheel brushes on the market, and all of them will get the job done. However, cone-shaped models work the best. They allow you to reach all areas of the wheels and remove dust easily in seconds. Make sure to wash and clean the brush once you are done. By doing this, you will be able to use it more than just once, and you won’t have to waste any money on a new wheel brush the next time you want to clean your wheels.

Use the pressure washer again

In this step, you will need to use the pressure washer again to remove the mixture of brake dust, grime, and wheel cleaner you applied. You will see that, in most cases, this is extremely difficult to use, so you should move the pressure washer slowly and pay close attention to each wheel. Make sure to apply water to all areas, especially those still covered with brake dust.

Use car clay to clean the wheels from the toughest stains

In this step, you will need to use the car clay we mentioned above. Simply break a small piece, place it between your fingers, and start scraping the grime, dust, and dirt from the wheels. This is helpful because clay can remove all kinds of stains within minutes. You will see a massive difference, and you will get a spotless finished result. Keep in mind to make slow, even strokes and to make sure all stains are completely removed. It will take between 10 and 20 minutes per wheel to complete this step. Once done, move to the next one.

Wipe the wheels

This step prepares the wheels for the eighth step. Use a dry cloth to thoroughly dry your wheels. It is advised to leave them for some time after you are done, just to make sure they are completely dry. You will have to replace the cloth a few times to achieve the desired result.

Apply the car wax

The last step is the most rewarding. You will see how the wheels shine again, and you will be more than just happy. Once the wheels are completely dry, use the car wax and a dry towel to apply it to the wheels. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s exact steps. Most products of this kind are straightforward to use, but some require special skills and additional tools. Apply the wax to all four wheels, and you can see how perfect they will look.

Applying the wax isn’t mandatory, but it is more than just desirable. First and foremost, the wheels will be better protected from brake dust and other dirt. Then we can see that they will maintain a shine for a longer period of time, and they will make your car look much better. Once you complete this step, you are done.

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How to prevent brake dust

Sadly, there is no single way to prevent brake dust from forming and affecting your wheels. On the other hand, we can see that Excessive brake dust on one wheel or all wheels can be significantly decreased and eliminated using different methods. Below are all the best methods you should try.

You will need:

Replace the Brake Pads with Aftermarket Units

This is the best, and the first thing you should do is get rid of the dust that annoys you. Ordinary brake pads are too soft, and they will turn layers of the material into dust within days. By replacing the units with aftermarket brake pads, you will literally eliminate the risk of brake dust occurring again. Look for brake pads that come with Kevlar, carbon fiber, and synthetics. These materials will also increase the stopping power of any car, but they won’t turn into dust, so you won’t have to worry about brake dust anymore. Ideally, you would get ceramic brake pads. They also don’t cause brake dust, but they can withstand massive temperatures and stop your car sooner than any other type of brake pad.

Install Brake Dust Shields

This is an optional extra you can install on your car for $100 or less. A pair of shields usually costs around $50 and can be installed in minutes. You will have to lift the car, remove a wheel, and install a shield. One shield is installed on one brake caliper.

These additions are installed inside a wheel between the rotors and prevent brake dust from falling onto the wheels and staying there. Keep in mind that they won’t prevent brake dust from occurring. It will still be produced, and it will fall under your car, but it won’t affect your wheels.

This is one of the most rewarding methods you can use. When paired with the first step, you won’t have to worry about brake dust ever again, and your wheels will look like new for a long period of time. It is important to note that you can further customize them. You can literally paint them any color you like, or paint them black to make them invisible. Some units are also made to make your car look better and sportier.

Use Brake Dust Repellent

Products like Hydrosilex are known as brake dust repellents. They make the wheel’s surface much smoother and slipperier because they contain silica soap. When this happens, the dust will still fall on the wheels, but it will slip away and fall to the ground. You won’t have to worry about any type of dust or grime.

We also liked this method because it can help your car look much better, and the wheels will shine again. All you have to do is to apply the silica soap a few times per month, and you are done. There are all kinds of products of this kind on the market, so you can always find the one that works best for you. They are also very affordable, and one package can last for a long period of time.

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The final word

Now you know how to clean brake dust and how to prevent it from happening again. Use the guides explained above whenever you want and make sure to find the one that works best for your wheels. All the steps we have explained are safe for the wheels, tires, valves, and brakes in general. Once you have removed all the dust, feel free to apply the methods for preventing it from happening. This is a simple, affordable process that will help you keep your wheels perfectly clean at all times and ensure the entire car looks better.