How to protect wheels from brake dust stains...

[smckenna]

Just waxing my new 2012 M3 Coupe for the very first time.
While washing the Comp. Pkg. Rims, I noticed that there were several brake dust spots that were very hard to rub out.
Anyone have any recommendation as to a product I can use to coat or protect the rims from getting messed up? I was thinking of just waxing them, but there's probably a better answer...

[SchnellM3]

Opti Coat

[Kyoshi71]

Oh, this is a question. From the way you phrased it, I thought I was going to learn something.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by smckenna

Just waxing my new 2012 M3 Coupe for the very first time.
While washing the Comp. Pkg. Rims, I noticed that there were several brake dust spots that were very hard to rub out.
Anyone have any recommendation as to a product I can use to coat or protect the rims from getting messed up? I was thinking of just waxing them, but there's probably a better answer...

The answer is set of Hawk HPS pads.

[Radiation Joe]

Lower dust pads will help, but don't buy crappy pads just to save on dust. Search out quality pads that will still perform to your expectations on the street. By the way, I'm not knocking the Hawk pads.

The correct solution, however, is to use a protectant on the wheels. There are a variety of wheel wax products out there that do a good job. Search the "Wash, Wax, Detail, Cosmetic Maintenance & Repairs" section for good advice.

[smckenna]

Thanks everyone. The pads were an alternative that wasn't even on my radar screen.

[Martin_D]

I would highly suggest swapping the pads as well Wolf's Rim Shield. It has blown away most other wheels sealants on the market.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by Radiation Joe

Lower dust pads will help, but don't buy crappy pads just to save on dust. Search out quality pads that will still perform to your expectations on the street. By the way, I'm not knocking the Hawk pads.

The correct solution, however, is to use a protectant on the wheels. There are a variety of wheel wax products out there that do a good job. Search the "Wash, Wax, Detail, Cosmetic Maintenance & Repairs" section for good advice.

No current protectant or wax is the solution to the OEM pads sticky dust. They are great as placebos for awhile, but at the end of the day the problem is the OEM pads.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

If you go to this site there are some ideas as well ===>Click

[MattE92]

Originally Posted by Technic

The answer is set of Hawk HPS pads.

by doing this you void the warranty.

[saurabbhatia]

Check out armorall wheel protectant. I use it after I clean my wheels, spray it on let it dry for an hour. I have stock brakes and after whole week my wheels still look clean. It usually lasts me for 2 weeks before I clean my wheels again. My car is a daily driver.

[M3PO]

Originally Posted by MattE92

by doing this you void the warranty.

The dealer has to prove that the aftermarket part caused a problem before they can void the warranty. The maintenance program, however, may be different.

[sig5x]

Originally Posted by SchnellM3

Opti Coat

Just this past weekend I did an intensive cleaning and then applied Opti-Coat to my wheels. My goal is make wheels cleaning a little easier with just car wash and water required and not dedicated wheel cleaners. I'll post an update after a few weeks or months have past.

I also coated my DD (Civic Si) and other family cars' wheels as well.

As Opti-Coat has a reputation for being extremely durable, it was the best choice for a long-lasting treatment for wheels, imho.

[MR.Slick1029]

Even car wax works great on wheels when you dont have a good wheel wax. You get twice as much time with clean wheels when you wax em.

[MattE92]

Originally Posted by M3PO

The dealer has to prove that the aftermarket part caused a problem before they can void the warranty. The maintenance program, however, may be different.

before you do anything take it to BMW. if you change the pads the warranty is void.

[immiketoo]

Simple. Don't use them brakes

[Technic]

Originally Posted by MattE92

before you do anything take it to BMW. if you change the pads the warranty is void.

Dude, stop the misinformation.

There is the Maintenance Program and there is the 4-year Vehicle warranty.

Changing pads will void the Maintenance Program on the brake pads, and most probably the brake discs may also be affected.

Changing pads will not void the Vehicle warranty unless the pads cause a problem with another OEM part. Then and only then the other OEM part will not have any warranty.

[roastbeef]

i've used sonax wheel cheaner with amazing results.
http://www.autogeek.net/sonax-wheel-...FWYZQgodARwKoA

[mjposner]

I have used the Hawk pads and they greatly reduce the dust. I suggest you meet with your service advisor, wine bottle in hand, explain the situation and offer to supply the brake pads at your cost at next change and see if they will help you.

I have read BMW's internal repair guides and they are comical in how they deal with "issues" like this. Basically it tells them to tell customers "that is normal" in the hopes they will go away, but then has a procedure for "those" customers that continue to gripe.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

On the German Auto Magazine Show (DW TV ~ "Deutsche Welle" Program Name; Drive It) I saw a few cleaning tips;

1) how they used white Toothpaste (needs to be pure white) and a tooth brush to clean the wheels with a tooth brush then using Margarine with a cloth applied a fine coat then polish the end result. I have to make a test one day ... normally they give good tips.

The cost difference of course (well known cleaning products verses magazine and /or clear white toothpaste) is very high so if it works not a bad idea.

2) They also talked about bugs how they do accumulate on long trips. To reduce this the treated the front bumper with "Baby Feuchttücher" = Baby Wipes doing so the bugs did not stick as much to the front bumper and after a 800 KM test run the amount of bugs wea reduced by 2/3 also cleaning of the bugs was much easier.

3) They pointed out how windshield wipers sometimes leave behind streaks to eliminate that they used a "Weichspüler" = softener to treat the rubber of the wipers. This did a fantastic job to remove the streaks.

4) A final tip was to remove rust (not required on our M3's however may be on our older cars from time to time during detailing. They showed how using Coke and aluminum foil would do the trick. Using some aluminum foil they crumbled a piece and used it as a cloth poring some coke over it gently rubbed the rusted surface. This removed the rust. Then using a wax one could restore the affected area. Not 100% however better looking then before.

Just passing along the tips.

Cheers, Rolf-Dieter

PS. You can watch the DW TV Programs on your computer the car program is presented in German Name; "Das Motor Magazine" and in English Name; "Drive it" In general cars are discussed also each show has segments that are quite interesting at times, normally near the end of the 1/2 hour program. Links are easy to find just Google it. Apart from the weekly car program they have other interesting Travel Programs like "Discover Germany" should you plan a ED sometime in the future.

[THE TECH]

Originally Posted by Technic

Dude, stop the misinformation.

There is the Maintenance Program and there is the 4-year Vehicle warranty.

Changing pads will void the Maintenance Program on the brake pads, and most probably the brake discs may also be affected.

Changing pads will not void the Vehicle warranty unless the pads cause a problem with another OEM part. Then and only then the other OEM part will not have any warranty.

+1

[tlp]

Hawk HPS are super clean and very rotor friendly.