amiro

I assume they're all spray on liquids?

Not looking for something crazy expensive... and that I can buy at a local auto store, hopefully.

clean.

but seriously how about some mild soap and water instead of the harsh chemicals?

eltonsi

Water, since you have to wipe off the brake dust anyways

picus

Seems like silly questions, I know; but which wheel cleaner you use will really depend on what material the wheels are made out of and how much dust you're removing. If you're using OEM wheels almost any cleaner is ok, citrus based are obviously the least harsh (if you're washing the car weekly for example), caustic and acidic will work better but are harder on the wheels and any wax you use on them.

If you have chrome/aluminum wheels then its ph balanced only, so no caustic/acidic.

On my wheels (aluminum) I use regular old automove soap and water, and a microfiber mitt.

Pr0n

Don't use Armor All, it ate through my rim coating, dulled it, and left a white running residue.

amiro

after washing with the car soap and a mitt, there were still black dust brake specks left on the wheels, that only seemed to want to come off using fingernails.

So I was hoping there was an easier way!

picus

If you've got to the point where you have embedded brake dust on OEM wheels you will either have to claybar or polish them (pain in the butt) or use an acid based wheel cleaner. You can try Eagle One Mag cleaner (Canadian Tire), it's caustic and might help. It's about the harshest stuff CT has. If that doesn't do it I'd go on to eshine.ca and get some Poorboys Spray and Rinse.

Now, word of warning with S&R. It is hydroflouric acid. Wear a mask and gloves, trust me. Also, spray on already wet NOT HOT wheels and let dwell for 1 minute, then spray off. Repeat as needed, agitate with a brush if the dust is stubborn (I like eshine.ca 's ez wheel brush).

Anything that is left after that either isn't coming off or needs to be polished out.

stef2.7T

I use Eagle One, Easy spray on, aggitate , rinse the left overs

amiro

before moving onto tough wheel cleaners.