Best way to clean Stoptech Trophy Kit/Calipers

Poofyo101 · 03-21-2012, 02:18 PM

What is the best way to clean the calipers? Just don't want to ruin the finish. Thanks fellas.

EAS · 03-21-2012, 03:33 PM

Water and Soap.

Poofyo101 · 03-23-2012, 01:50 PM

^thanks!

isugoo · 03-23-2012, 02:21 PM

most helpful, informative thread ever.

tha_good_life · 03-23-2012, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isugoo

most helpful, informative thread ever.

isugoo · 03-23-2012, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bapesta206

learn something new everyday.

tom @ eas · 03-23-2012, 05:34 PM

Technic · 03-24-2012, 07:59 AM

After trying pretty much all the wheel cleaners in existence I have found that the BMW OEM wheel cleaner is the best at cleaning and not leaving any residue, or causing stains or discoloration. Even in a hot wheel or caliper (painted or not).

And in a very strange BMW-way, it is relatively one of the cheapest to buy. Even comparable to the cheap-shit of Pep Boys. Normally I get a 6-pack at the dealer for about $45 plus tax...

quads · 03-24-2012, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technic

After trying pretty much all the wheel cleaners in existence I have found that the BMW OEM wheel cleaner is the best at cleaning and not leaving any residue, or causing stains or discoloration. Even in a hot wheel or caliper (painted or not).

And in a very strange BMW-way, it is relatively one of the cheapest to buy. Even comparable to the cheap-shit of Pep Boys. Normally I get a 6-pack at the dealer for about $45 plus tax...

soap and water....

inandout · 03-24-2012, 06:12 PM

Sonax.

kmarei · 03-24-2012, 08:30 PM

Sticky!

PandaM3 · 02-19-2017, 01:22 AM

I know this is an old thread... but I picked up a used stoptech trophy kit for another of my cars.

It's got a lot of caked on grime and brake dust. Soap and water or sonax doesn't seem to be effective.

Using an aggressive paint polish seems to get it to 90% but there's still a lot to do.

Since it's an anodized finish and not painted... can I get away with spraying brake cleaner?

Five335 · 02-20-2017, 01:04 PM

Wheel cleaners might not do the job when that dirt settled in, some shamwow!! with grease soap or brake celaner, but sometimes youll need to go a bit more rough and go CLR or some stuff, be careful with the seals, some products eat away the rubber, dont want to have to rebuild a 4 piston

Richbot · 02-20-2017, 01:32 PM

Soap and water and a microfiber was all it took on mine after 30,000 miles. And then I posted a 100+ photo DIY thread with video.

dparm · 02-20-2017, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PandaM3

I know this is an old thread... but I picked up a used stoptech trophy kit for another of my cars.

It's got a lot of caked on grime and brake dust. Soap and water or sonax doesn't seem to be effective.

Using an aggressive paint polish seems to get it to 90% but there's still a lot to do.

Since it's an anodized finish and not painted... can I get away with spraying brake cleaner?

At a certain point, you might want to just have them stripped and re-anodized. No use wasting hours upon hours only to get a marginal improvement. I would not use brake cleaner on anodized aluminum.

Something to keep in mind is that they will get dirty again pretty fast. I wouldn't really obsess over making them look brand new. This is one reason I went with gloss black on my ST40 kit.

Banana Hammock · 02-20-2017, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

PandaM3 · 02-20-2017, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dparm

Quote:

Originally Posted by PandaM3

I know this is an old thread... but I picked up a used stoptech trophy kit for another of my cars.

It's got a lot of caked on grime and brake dust. Soap and water or sonax doesn't seem to be effective.

Using an aggressive paint polish seems to get it to 90% but there's still a lot to do.

Since it's an anodized finish and not painted... can I get away with spraying brake cleaner?

At a certain point, you might want to just have them stripped and re-anodized. No use wasting hours upon hours only to get a marginal improvement. I would not use brake cleaner on anodized aluminum.

Something to keep in mind is that they will get dirty again pretty fast. I wouldn't really obsess over making them look brand new. This is one reason I went with gloss black on my ST40 kit.

Yeah you're probably right. At this point I'll just make sure the seals are in good shape and mount them. Or I might just buy the rebuild kit.

Here's some before and after

dparm · 02-28-2017, 11:19 AM

I think that's a decent improvement, but they will get nasty again fast, especially if you track the car.

03-21-2012, 02:18 PM	#1
Poofyo101 Major 56 Rep 1,250 Posts Drives: e92 ///M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NC iTrader: (9) Garage List 1988 BMW M3 [0.00] 1988 BMW M3 [0.00] 2012 BMW M3 [0.00] 1990 BMW M3 [0.00]	Best way to clean Stoptech Trophy Kit/Calipers What is the best way to clean the calipers? Just don't want to ruin the finish. Thanks fellas. __________________ 12 E92 M3-AW/FR-20" BBS LM-Painted Reflectors-BMW Gloss Black Grills + Gills-BMW Performance LED Wheel-BMW Carbon Performance Spoiler-Akra Evolution-Stoptech Trophy
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03-21-2012, 03:33 PM	#2
EAS BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 547 Rep 5,695 Posts Drives: VF620 M3 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (10)	Water and Soap.
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03-23-2012, 01:50 PM	#3
Poofyo101 Major 56 Rep 1,250 Posts Drives: e92 ///M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NC iTrader: (9) Garage List 1988 BMW M3 [0.00] 1988 BMW M3 [0.00] 2012 BMW M3 [0.00] 1990 BMW M3 [0.00]	^thanks! __________________ 12 E92 M3-AW/FR-20" BBS LM-Painted Reflectors-BMW Gloss Black Grills + Gills-BMW Performance LED Wheel-BMW Carbon Performance Spoiler-Akra Evolution-Stoptech Trophy
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03-23-2012, 02:21 PM	#4
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03-23-2012, 05:34 PM	#7
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03-24-2012, 07:59 AM	#8
Technic Lieutenant General 2285 Rep 12,999 Posts Drives: 2021 i3S, 2024 i4 M50 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Florida iTrader: (18)	After trying pretty much all the wheel cleaners in existence I have found that the BMW OEM wheel cleaner is the best at cleaning and not leaving any residue, or causing stains or discoloration. Even in a hot wheel or caliper (painted or not). And in a very strange BMW-way, it is relatively one of the cheapest to buy. Even comparable to the cheap-shit of Pep Boys. Normally I get a 6-pack at the dealer for about $45 plus tax...
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03-24-2012, 06:12 PM	#10
inandout First Lieutenant 12 Rep 312 Posts Drives: 4 Rings Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Sonax.
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03-24-2012, 08:30 PM	#11
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02-19-2017, 01:22 AM	#12
PandaM3 Captain 470 Rep 988 Posts Drives: Join Date: Apr 2008 iTrader: (6)	I know this is an old thread... but I picked up a used stoptech trophy kit for another of my cars. It's got a lot of caked on grime and brake dust. Soap and water or sonax doesn't seem to be effective. Using an aggressive paint polish seems to get it to 90% but there's still a lot to do. Since it's an anodized finish and not painted... can I get away with spraying brake cleaner?
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02-20-2017, 01:04 PM	#13
Five335 Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 335i 2012 2dr coupe Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	Wheel cleaners might not do the job when that dirt settled in, some shamwow!! with grease soap or brake celaner, but sometimes youll need to go a bit more rough and go CLR or some stuff, be careful with the seals, some products eat away the rubber, dont want to have to rebuild a 4 piston
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02-20-2017, 01:32 PM	#14
Richbot Major General 2760 Rep 5,483 Posts Drives: Jerez Black E90 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: STL iTrader: (5)	Soap and water and a microfiber was all it took on mine after 30,000 miles. And then I posted a 100+ photo DIY thread with video. __________________
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02-28-2017, 11:19 AM	#18
dparm Stop the hate, get a V8 3850 Rep 8,625 Posts Drives: C7 Corvette GS, AMG C63 S Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Frisco, TX iTrader: (1)	I think that's a decent improvement, but they will get nasty again fast, especially if you track the car. __________________ Now: 2017 Corvette Grand Sport, 2021 AMG C63 S sedan Past: 2011.5 M3 sedan ZCP
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