Hey guys,..

I noticed this when I was looking at this car to buy it.. but it wasn't anything bad enough to not buy the car for..

But,.. the Front two wheels have dark 'stains' in them.. That look like they are dirty from say Brake dust that got wet and made a little mess, and need to be cleaned.

However, This "stain" as I call it.. is not coming off. I've cleaned the wheels, polished them (rotary *carefully*).. and waxed them because they are just painted.. and these spots don't get lighter, etc.

It's either the darker/black undercoat of paint coming through -- Or, perhaps, since it's the front two wheels only (and the back two are perfect).. It really is previous Brake dust build up that the prev. owner let sit there and it embedded into the wheel?

Here's a Picture up close of the wheel.. and towards the center as the spokes go into the center of the wheel you can see what I'm talking about. (These wheels are very clean at the moment.. despite not looking that way.)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/111739693@N04/12438842254/
That's the best shot I could get today.. it's actually a bit worse than that in person up close -- but from any distance they look just fine.. ie:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/111739693@N04/11415440674/
If that's just the way they are permanently going to be.. nothing can be done aside from a repaint/refinish.. that's the way it is.. Just thought if anyone had experienced this on their front wheels.. and managed to do something about it.. someone here would.

Thanks,

 

did you try clay? try some ironx..

 

the prior owner may have used wheel cleaner on them while they were hot.....

 

I actually don't think I clayed the wheels when I did the car the weekend I bought it. Ironx -- Never heard of it, just looked it up and read a review on it.. Seems to be THE perfect solution if this is going to come off. Thanks! Awesome advice man.

Quite possible as it is in a 'drip' type of pattern as if the wheel had brake dust and got wet ..

But,.. according to the ridiculous review the guy did on the Ironx.. see:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...ro-iron-x.html

Even if the prev. owner used some cleaner on them when they were extremely hot (Car has been in Georgia from Manufacture ship till I bought it in Atlanta..) the IronX (and perhaps clay in conjunction if needed) would have the best shot.

As apparently the Ironx is meant for getting out BAKED in brake dust, and other metallic/semi-metallic particles..

I'm going to see if I can't source a bottle of this for a reasonable price.. the smallest bottle was $17 from that guys review.. maybe I can find it cheaper on Ebay or something.

If this works I owe you a Case of beer.

 

IronX Ordered,.. Man that stuff is expensive.. $20 for 16oz(500ml).. But if it works, it's worth every penny.

 

not bad if that includes shipping

FYI you should have ordered a gallon... use it for the paint too before claying.. amazing stuff!

 

I can get you good prices!

 

No With shipping it was $25-26.. I did get 10% off tho lol

And.. That's why I didn't get the 50ml bottle for $6.. The 16oz is enough for at least 1 application of car.. I'll probably use it but a bit lightly on the car.. as it's very clean -- and to keep a little in reserve for wheels, front bumper, rear bumper where new exhaust is leaving nice residue.. etc.

Speaking of which -- MAN my front bumper is the weakest paint I've ever seen! Rock chips everywhere.. almost makes me want to put a Bra on the front.. but.. naaah..

NOW you tell me.. seriously? On all detail/auto chemicals?

 

just about all..

 

brake dust pro got rid of stains on my 07 wheels. its the same as ironx i think

 

Those stains seem they were left by very aggressive chemical; wonder if it was lye.

 

Nice! Your wheels are the same as mine -- We have the wheels that were put specially on the 35th Anniversary 350's earlier.. Which didn't make those owners too happy about all the HR 07/08's having those wheels for obvious reasons.. but I really like them,.. The 03-05 wheels aren't bad,.. but this design is a considerable upgrade in style imho. (But with something like wheels everyone has their own thoughts/likes/dislikes)... anyhow....

Did your stains look anything like mine?

Maybe, anything is possible I guess. But, from the 3 hour drive I got to "know" the prev. owner with (I drove him back home) he seemed like a guy who wasn't handy at all.. took the car into the dealership for OIL changes,.. for lightbulb changes, etc.. Had all the paper work to show it.

He also didn't have a Garage, but kept this car under a car cover (which he gave me),.. The car's paint looked great, but was VERY VERY gritty to the touch (I've since clay barred it, machine polished, waxed, etc.. and it feels great now.) But that indicates to me that he didn't know what he was doing. And he likely washed in the 100+ degree heat of Atlanta, GA -- never waxed the car.. And probably sprayed something on the wheels when they were VERY hot and then just left it for whatever reason.. (maybe it was some tire product that dripped down.. I don't know) -- but it caused brake dust to embed (bake) into the paint on the wheels. Now was it dust already on the wheels? Or was it perhaps clean wheels that got hot and under his braking the dust came out and then baked on them with whatever substance got on the wheels?

I still think it's limited to the front wheels because the front brakes do most of the braking and thus put off most of the "dust" .

If others have had similar spots/streaks/stains and got them off -- let me know. I'm hoping The_Asssassins stains were similar to mine.. which gives me a shot to make these things look a little better. That said, they look fine from more than a few feet away.