This is a common thing I see on all cars, where they have that ugly reddish dust on the front wheels. My assumption is that this is from the brakes, but the question is how do you get it off the wheel and is there a way to KEEP it off the wheel?

Washing the truck wheels doesn't seem to get it all the way off.

 

It ALWAYS comes off my wheels, but i use a hiquality soap. AS for it not getting on, maybe try different brakes.

 

The problem was when they outlawed asbestos brake linings the newer stuff is organic material and makes a lot more dust. The old asbestos made dust too, just not as much, not as dark, and it cleaned up easier. I use an alum wheel cleaner that is for that purpose and it works pretty well trick is to not let it build up thick before trying to get it back off.

 

I use eagle all wheel cleaner. Works great, although i have found that the 'spray and rinse' ones don't work all that well, you have to use a brush to fully clean off the dust. To keep it off I use what is called wheel wax. Doesn't completely get rid of the dust but I find it helps a lot on cleanup. Don't leave the dust on too long because it can bake on and corrode the wheel...

 

The way most trucks are used and driven, that dust just blends in with the dirt.

 

Not mine man, I have black mags and the dust makes them look like they have a patina on them. I'll try the scrubber and wax to see if that helps. Now that I own a house I can actually wash the truck - rather than taking it to one of those gas station grey water wash and almost shine jobs.

 

I just wash mine at the car wash and then take paper towel to it. It comes right off. No special stuff. Just a little elbow grease. My wheels sure look much better once it's done.

 

I'ld like to see these black mags. as for cleaning them, try some dawn dish detergent.

 

Sure I can post a pic of them, assuming my digital camera doesn't flake out again

There's nothing special about them, pretty common Les Schwab steel wheels but they look much better than the original Ford wheels - especially with light off-road tires.

 

Use a better grade of brake pad, and they won't dust up near as much. jd

 

I run PBR Deluxe pads on my BMW's and there is virtually no dust and the cost is way reasonable.
dws

 

Ceramic pads are less prone to dusting...

 

I'll do a before and after, but it'll have to wait until the weekend, I got's heavy chores to do.

 

So here are some before and afters. You're right, just a little elbow grease and some dishwashing liquid took care of it.



Icky


Just a little bit of scrubbing, not as bad as I thought.


I had to scrub though, water alone wouldn't remove it. So now I know.

 

Keepin' nice coat of Decent Wax seems to help for future cleanin...

fwiw... We have a local Chemical manf. that has a product that is literally a "no-touch" dust remover and its non-caustic... called Burst. Its a flourecent grn/yellow color.

Something that has helped for me if i didn't have the above was "Scrubbing Bubbles" (made by Dow Chemicals) and sometimes (real) Purple Power.