Dusty brown wheels–caused by brake dust accumulation–are a major irritant to people who make the extra effort to keep their cars clean. No matter how clean the glass, the paint, the trim is…the first thing to go dirty is those wheels. BMWs in particular are infamous for brake dust build up because of the “soft” brake pad materials they choose.
It’s impossible to completely prevent brake dust build-up. Brake and drum disks must necessarily cast off dust as they contact your brake rotors. But you can significantly reduce the rate of build up by applying wax to your wheels. It has the same effect as coating a cooking pan with teflon: things just don’t stick as easily to your wheels, as you create a slick outer barrier on them. And, washing them is so much easier: less soap, less brushing, and less likelihood that you’ll reach a point where they are stained so badly that they’ll need acid cleaning.
The process is simple:
- Thoroughly was and dry your car’s wheels.
- Apply wax with an applicator (foam sponge or rag).
- Dry to a haze.
- Remove with clean microfiber towel.
- Repeat once every 6 weeks.
The brand Wheel Wax claims to be the only wax “approved” for waxing wheels, but testing shows that it’s essentially the same wax sold for painted surfaces. Thus: just use your existing wax, and apply it to your wheels at the same time you wax your paint, at the same intervals.