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  #1  
Old 11-13-2007, 03:48 PM
Justfacts
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Which do you prefer Aluminum wheels or BUNDT caps..

Aluminum wheels are pretty but BUNDT caps are better!!

I even got my aluminum wheels glass beaded and powder coated. But what drives me crazy is that within 3 days you get the black brake dust, road dirt on the inside of the rims which degrades vehicle appearance.

I know the Aluminum wheels are a very handsome. I love their design. But the fact that they collect brake dust is driving me crazy.

Every 300D I see on the road seems to have the exact same problem--dirty aluminum rims. I see some really bad tires sme times--makes me want to jump out of the car and wash them down.

THe next time I get tires--its time for Bundt Caps

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  #2  
Old 11-13-2007, 03:56 PM
Craig
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Bundt Caps?
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  #3  
Old 11-13-2007, 04:05 PM
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Ya I think you got it backwards. Alloys=Bundt. Caps came in steel and aluminum varieties.
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  #4  
Old 11-13-2007, 04:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Justfacts View Post
Aluminum wheels are pretty but BUNDT caps are better!!

I even got my aluminum wheels glass beaded and powder coated. But what drives me crazy is that within 3 days you get the black brake dust, road dirt on the inside of the rims which degrades vehicle appearance. . . .
You're saying aluminum attracts the brake dust more so than alloy wheels? Why is that?
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  #5  
Old 11-13-2007, 04:22 PM
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My 85 had things like "Clean Wheels" on it, that kept the dust to a minimum. I pulled them off when I put on new tires, and was sort of wishing I kept them on. But, after hearing (probably rumor) about brakes not cooling enough using them, I'll leave them off.
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  #6  
Old 11-13-2007, 04:31 PM
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303 Aeropace Protectant sprayed on a rag and wiped over the wheels helps keep the brake dust from sticking. It's recommended to use it for that purpose right on the bottle and it works. The dust wipes off easily and doesn't collect as quickly or heavily.
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  #7  
Old 11-13-2007, 05:49 PM
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Clean them with P21S if it bothers you that much
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  #8  
Old 11-13-2007, 06:33 PM
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I prefer the aluminum (not bundts) wheels with "painted to match", wheel covers.
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  #9  
Old 11-13-2007, 10:51 PM
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I certainly prefer the look of the alloy wheels. Hubcaps=cheap to my eye, always has. Of course hubcaps still look a lot better than a benz with bare steel rims.

Have you looked at your choice of brake pad? Different pads produce vastly different quantities of dust. I have used PBR (also called Axxis sometimes) pads on my cars before and been impressed with the lack of dust (but the stopping power is still very good). Other brands are out there offering low-dust formulas.
Wheels need to stay clean to look good, but a low dust pad will help.
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  #10  
Old 11-13-2007, 11:24 PM
Justfacts
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This is what I meant Dee8go

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dee8go View Post
You're saying aluminum attracts the brake dust more so than alloy wheels? Why is that?
I think I better explain. As I know it , there are two types of production tires;(1) aluminum rims and (2)steel rims with Bundt hubcaps.

Bundt caps cover the entire inside surface of the steel wheel rim, so no brake dust can come through the gaps you have with an aluminum rim. They never appear dirty.

Aluminum wheels look much prettier but they have gaps in them through which brake dust gets through.When they get gunked up they look pretty ugly.
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  #11  
Old 11-13-2007, 11:37 PM
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New cryogenic brake disc plus porterfield pads...

Have new rotors cryogenically treated and get some porterfield low dust brake pads. Has stopped my wheel cleaning chores to once a year on one car and twice a year on another.

Regards

Run-Em
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  #12  
Old 11-13-2007, 11:46 PM
Craig
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Justfacts View Post
I think I better explain. As I know it , there are two types of production tires;(1) aluminum rims and (2)steel rims with Bundt hubcaps.

Bundt caps cover the entire inside surface of the steel wheel rim, so no brake dust can come through the gaps you have with an aluminum rim. They never appear dirty.

Aluminum wheels look much prettier but they have gaps in them through which brake dust gets through.When they get gunked up they look pretty ugly.
I don't believe the "bundt hubcaps" were ever stock on steel wheels. The factory hubcaps are the smooth painted type. I think the "bundt hubcaps" were after-market.

If you only concern is keeping brake dust off the wheels, install some "klean wheels" on the alloys. There is some concern about air flow, but they are probably not any worse than steel wheels with solid hubcaps. Personally, I just clean off the wheels about once a week.
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  #13  
Old 11-14-2007, 06:34 AM
t walgamuth's Avatar
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The ceramic pads are very very low in dust. You have to replace all four wheels at once though because they have different grabbing characteristics and if you have them on the front only they will tend to lock up the front brakes.

Don't ask how I know.

Tom W
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  #14  
Old 11-14-2007, 08:12 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ImBroke View Post
My 85 had things like "Clean Wheels" on it, that kept the dust to a minimum. I pulled them off when I put on new tires, and was sort of wishing I kept them on. But, after hearing (probably rumor) about brakes not cooling enough using them, I'll leave them off.
Got them on several cars. In decades of use, I've never had any brake fade or ANY other issue with them.

Unless you run down 10 mile long mountain grades daily, or are hell on brakes, these are great at keeping the dust off the wheels.

Jim
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Old 11-14-2007, 08:13 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Justfacts View Post
Aluminum wheels are pretty but BUNDT caps are better!!

Every 300D I see on the road seems to have the exact same problem--dirty aluminum rims. I see some really bad tires sme times--makes me want to jump out of the car and wash them down.

Obviously, you've never seen mine.......clean wheels, all the time.

Jim

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