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  #1  
Old 04-21-2003, 01:39 PM
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Unhappy Baked on spots of brake dust ....

I am experiencing baked on spots of brake dust on the wheels of my '94 E420! Can anyone recommend a product which will remove the spots without damaging the finish? Nothing I have tried works.

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  #2  
Old 04-21-2003, 01:49 PM
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Arrow

A tip which I got from the Detailing forum which has worked for me is to use automotive clay on the baked on brake dust...clean your wheels as you would normally, gettin' rid of the regular brake dust that comes off with washing...when the wheels are clean, dry them a bit, then just use clay with the clay lubricant on the stubbon brake dust areas just like how you use clay on your paint...if you are persistent, it should come off...afterwards, give your wheels a good wax...and it should prevent the same problem from occurring again...
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  #3  
Old 04-21-2003, 02:01 PM
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Clay and clay lubricant......this is embarrassing but what is it and where do i get it?
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1989 560SEL
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  #4  
Old 04-21-2003, 02:19 PM
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Meguiars clay bar, and their Quik Detailer product or any "quick detail" spray on product. (in between wax detailer)

Good Luck! Those spots are a b!tch to remove. I've used a light abrasive pad (kitchen cleaner sponge pad) some Armor All wheel cleaner, and some good 'ole elbow grease to remove the spots.
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Old 04-21-2003, 02:33 PM
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Lightbulb

I got this from the DIY section, but they usually sell them as a kit...a lubricant spray and a little bar of clay


You can also buy the clay alone...they pretty much sell them at any store that sells general car cleaning supplies...
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  #6  
Old 04-21-2003, 05:07 PM
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For chrome wheels you can try an inexpensive metal cleaner called NOXON. It is a fairly thick white liquid that works very well and is available in most supermarkets. Takes about 1/3 the work to get results as compared to traditional polishes such as Simichrome.

Regardless of what you use to clean make sure to coat the wheels with a good wax. Perhaps the new "Wheel wax" is best.
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  #7  
Old 04-21-2003, 05:39 PM
sflori
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Quote:
Originally posted by RickM
Regardless of what you use to clean make sure to coat the wheels with a good wax. Perhaps the new "Wheel wax" is best.
Rick,

Is this wheel wax a McGuire product?
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  #8  
Old 04-21-2003, 07:33 PM
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Allan,
Had the same problem when I bought my 400E due to neglect on the previous owner's part. I use P21S GEL (also comes in liquid but the gel form is heavier duty). P21S products are made in Germany and are fairly neutral pH so won't hurt your wheels (like some domestic products can). The gel form can be left on for an hour as long as the wheels are not in direct sunlight. Repeated applications may be necessary.

Once clean, keep the wheels waxed (I use Zaino) and wash them weekly and you won't have those baked-on spots any more.

Steve
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  #9  
Old 04-21-2003, 08:18 PM
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Steve,

Thanks for the info.
Where do I purchase the product you mention?

Thanks,
Allan
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1982 240D - Stolen
1988 300E - Sold
1989 260E - Sold
1989 560SEL
1994 E420 - Sold
1997 E420
2005 CL500
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  #10  
Old 04-21-2003, 08:26 PM
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I have found that once the wheels are clean using a non-wax "wax" gives better results.

It seems that carnauba wax will melt and evaporate quickly while the synthetic waxes last much longer.

Also, most wheels are covered with a clear coat. Taking care of the clear coat is the real job. Using a metal polish is great if your wheels are exposed metal (aluminum). Typically Mercedes wheels clear-coated to prevent corrosion.

My 2 cents,

Haasman
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Last edited by haasman; 04-22-2003 at 08:46 PM.
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  #11  
Old 04-21-2003, 11:56 PM
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I had small amounts of baked on brake dust when I bought my car. I tried several polishes and gave up. Started using a spray on wheel cleaner. After a while I noticed the spots were gone. I don't remember the brand I used, but now use Meguire's Gold Class. I spray all four wheels (cold) then start back on the wheel I first sprayed with a soapy brush. Maybe if you try a bottle, by the time it is gone your stains will be gone too.
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  #12  
Old 04-22-2003, 07:24 AM
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Allan,
P21S products are available at Performanc Products (and many other online catalogs as well).

Steve
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  #13  
Old 04-22-2003, 10:47 AM
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On my 1998 C230. because of draught restrictions hadn't cleaned my OEM wheels in some four or five months. I tried griot's garage hand polish, P21-all purpose metal polish, Oil Flo Desolve, P21 citric all purpose car cleaner, and made very little head way with all these products.

The product that finally worked, 3M brand MEDIUM CUT rubbing compound, (part # 39001), First cleaned wheels with Griot's Garage wheel cleaner, dried wheels, then with a 100% cotton terry towel used tons of labor intensive polishing with the 3M, and my wheels are smooth and gleaming, removed the small imbedded black particles. and the golden tar like finish that had marred my wheels due to lack of cleaning. From now on my car gets it's wheels washed once a week and waxd periodicly. Important thing is to clean and protect, and the products to be used are those that you would use on your paint.
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  #14  
Old 04-22-2003, 08:20 PM
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Ethan is right that you should only use products which you could safely use on your paint, since MB wheels ARE painted and clear coated, by and large.

I am glad it worked out for him, but personally I would NOT recommend use of rubbing compound on wheels or paint since it will take off the clear coat. Repeated applications of P21S, or clay, will eventually get that darned brake rash off. Just be patient and persevere.
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  #15  
Old 04-22-2003, 09:05 PM
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I was going to try clay, I e-mailed Meguiars and their person said it may not work so I went to the compound, I actually started out with Meguiars Fine Cut compound, but ran out of solution, so replaced with the 3M Medium Cut Cleaner. If there is a way for me to check if the clearcoat has been rubbed away? tell me and I will check I certainly didn't detect any surface painting coming off. My wheels seemed really smooth and shiney after the Medium Cut Cleaner and wax.

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