Major brake dust on rear of raw Aluminum rims?
 

I’ve been gifted a pair of rotary forged Centerlines that
I really love the look of but cleaning the buggers have
me afraid of damaging them or having to put too much
elbow-grease into the project (I have RA in both hands).
The backs are totally, thicky covered with road dirt and
brake dust.

What will safely remove this grunge chemically?
(especially on the back side)

It seems the fronts are polished but the backs are surely
raw...need something safe both for me and the wheels. :)

BTW---I’ve looked around a lot and still can’t ID this
Centerline model…seems to be a year-specific weirdo.
Any clues are welcome.

Thanks guys! E



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Re: Major brake dust on rear of raw Aluminum rims?
 

brillo

Re: Major brake dust on rear of raw Aluminum rims?
 

Tape the good egdes, sand blast, wash, dry, rattle can clear coat (or any other color you like). Fast and easy.

Of course you are worring about the part that only YOU know about. But then that is the problem isn't? You just can't "unknow" it.

Re: Major brake dust on rear of raw Aluminum rims?
 

Thank You! I can do that. :metal:

Exactly. Same goes for grunge inside a frame rail...hurt the truck? Probably not but....

Re: Major brake dust on rear of raw Aluminum rims?
 

Anyone else?

Re: Major brake dust on rear of raw Aluminum rims?
 

***

Re: Major brake dust on rear of raw Aluminum rims?
 

muratic acid. It will tarnish the polished side but you can polish it back out or just leave then that way.

Here is one I cleaned up yesterday. Took about 15 minutes for each wheel.

http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps6ac6b97b.jpg

Re: Major brake dust on rear of raw Aluminum rims?
 

Re: Major brake dust on rear of raw Aluminum rims?
 

Just try your hardest not to breathe the fumes. Use in a well vented area, or wear a respirator. Do NOT use on concrete as it will eat the concrete as well. Laytex gloves are nice as well.

With all the safety crap out of the way. I just use a spray bottle and spray it on liberally. The more wet you spray it on the more even the etch will look when you rinse them. This way if you dont want to spend hours upon hours polishing them they will look even, and raw. If one part dries it will streak and you will need to start over. Let it sit for a couple minutes, and scrub with one of those wheel cleaning brushes. Then rinse it off. A powerwasher works best.

You can pick up muratic acid at home centers or pool supply stores. It is used to etch concrete in the construction industry, or soften water in swimming pools.

Re: Major brake dust on rear of raw Aluminum rims?
 

Steel wool (finer than brillo so it won't scratch) on the backside will do wonders to break up the brake dust. I would recommend glass bead blasting over sand blasting on soft aluminum.

Re: Major brake dust on rear of raw Aluminum rims?
 

Eagle A to Z wheel cleaner and a power washer.