On my 2012 F-250 I have chrome clad wheels. Basically just a plastic chrome wheel covers that you pay way too much for from the factory. I have brake dust that will not come off. The truck rarely gets driven and the brake dust has been on for weeks/months at a time. I know I should of stopped it sooner but it happened. It's not really raised at all but is all over and stuck pretty good. I have used P21, Sonax, Simple green and even tried brake cleaner. Nothing will work. Any suggestions? I'll try to get some pics later. I've never had this much of a problem with my painted or chrome wheels on my other cars. Thanks.

 

I have used spray on oven cleaner on wheels that had hard baked on brake dust. Sprayed on and let set for a while, then cleaned with brush. It took a couple of passes but worked. I waxed the wheels after the cleaning.

 

Thanks, anyone else?

 

Once the plastic chrome starts to pit there is no saving it. Did the wheels get really soiled and just sit like that over a long period of time? Brake dust and actually get inbedded onto the finish. Possibly try some clay or Ironx.


If you post up sme pictures it might help us help you. I am a bit of a detailing nerd. Sonax has a new HD wheel cleaner but if the regular one did not budge it, I don't this this will either.


Chck out Detailingbliss.com or Autopiacarecare.com and click on the forum.


Hopefully someone can help you.


PLEASE DONT USE OVEN CLEANER UNLESS YOU AT THE POINT WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO THROW THE WHEELS AWAY.

 

p21s wheel cleaner and 0000 steel wool should do the trick. If it doesn't, wheels are too far gone.

I'D AVOID OVEN CLEANER FOR SURE!!

 

tried p21 and it did work to an extent but I didn't use steel wool. I bought some Adams APC and with a lot of scrubbing they came out pretty good. Pretty much got everything off. I think a lot of it was due to a lot of pressure and repeated scrubbing though.

 

You need an abrasive non scratching pad. Also NAPA makes a wheel cleaner that is acid based and removes that stuff on metal wheels. If you are out of things to try then try this. You may want to have the wheels and whatever pad you use wet as to dilute the cleaner and hopefully avoid damaging the plastic. The issue is that it s only plastic and may not hold up to the proper cleaners for metal.