Brake dust

[A1287210]

After I wash the car I can usually get a couple of days when the alloys are still looking clean and shinny. However the last few weeks of washing I have found almost imeadiatly that the alloys are dirty. Not only with the general background dust but with rivers and channels of dust that are hard to remove.

I don't think that the rain has ever affected this before. No change in performance of brakes. Could this be a sign that they are deteriorating or do I need to change my cleaning regieme?

Cars done 49K and is 18 months old.
DAmo

[pitch3110]

I think generally everywhere is dusty.

I wax my alloys every now and then and when washing I dry thouroghly so the hard water resi is removed.

Finish off with a coat of AG alloy wheel sealer.

Gives a greater shine and does help with shedding the muck.

Also if you are using a tyre dressing product and this is not buffed off it will 'spray'.

Pitch

[thescouselander]

I've noticed this too - there seems to be a ridiculous amount of dust produced and the wheels get covered almost immediately. I think its just down to the compound used for the brake pads - it might be worth finding some that produce less dust.

[A1287210]

Thanks, this has only got worse over the las tfew weeks so I was wondering about deterioration of the break pads. With a black car it only really looks good when the alloys are sparkling.

The last 2 times of washing has left 4 black marks on my driveway, which I don't seem to be able to wash away. (I do not have a pressure washer) They are obviously from the dust on the wheels This has not happened before???!!!

[Eshrules]

The hot weather won't be helping the dust issue. The only way to avoid this is to change the pads - what brand are you currently on? Have you changed them in the 50k you've done?

[Geordie Amanda]

I was surprised at how much brake dust comes of my car:eek: (see, there's a smilie to show how suprised I was). I have never known a car shed as much. I happened to have been given some Autoglymn stuff that you spray onto cleaned wheels and buff off. It doesn’t stop the dust from sticking to the wheels, but it does mean if you stick a jet wash on them they go back to properly clean without any extra work. The downside is when it rains you get a sort of brake dust streaking on the wheels :( Oh and we are getting a hose pipe ban in Manchester :( Bloody United Utilities :crying:

[A1287210]

I have no idea about the model or make of the brake pads and they have not been changed. Alarm bells started to ring when I decided to take the car to a jet wash to do the wheels only as the rest of the car was still very clean as it had only been a couple of days since the full clean.....the jet wash did nothing:zx11:

Maybe I should take your advice and start treating the alloys with something.:(