Brake dust

Any tricks for dealing with years of brake dust on alloy wheels?

strong degreaser and a pressure washer? The best wheel cleaner I've ever used is Mother's in the yellow bottle, and I only use it for really nasty wheels, otherwise some simple green or purple power and a pressure washer and a rag are all I've needed

brake cleaner?

Brake dust doesn't seem to budge with my electric pressure washer. This is an application where elbow grease seems to go a lot further.

What's the finish on the wheels, clearcoat, machined surface, etc?...

probably a clear - hard to tell - they're nasty

The easiest way to clean up really nasty wheels is probably to use an acidic wheel cleaner. You just have to be a bit more careful careful with it (not leaving it on while having a long lunch or whatever). 'Wonder wheels' works for me, not sure if you can get that outside of UK though..

Spray some sort of cleaner on them and let it sit for a while. Then attack it with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Seriously, that stuff is the best for brake dust.

mmk wrote: The easiest way to clean up really nasty wheels is probably to use an acidic wheel cleaner. You just have to be a bit more careful careful with it (not leaving it on while having a long lunch or whatever). 'Wonder wheels' works for me, not sure if you can get that outside of UK though..

I agree with the above. I use a mild acid that removes rust. Brake dust is partly steel & iron anyway.