09/15/2025
Let's talk about dust. Brake dust in particular.
First it's important to know what brake dust is. Brake dust is metal, carbon, and often other composites, left from normal braking. These particles are inherently "sticky" and adhere to your caliper and wheel surfaces.
So for a metal image, think about taking a metal file, and shaving off tiny metal particles onto your beautiful kitchen table. Now take a cloth and rub it all off.
Cringe right? Just thinking about those little particles scratching your table is ๐ซ
Similar concept. Those particles need to be lifted off the surface, with a lubricant, so they are no longer in contact with the paint.
So soap right?
Not exactly. Soaps often have degreasers, and similar chemicals which act differently. Wheel cleaners, iron removers, etc sort of break the "stick" and leave a layer of lubricant between the dust, and surface. That's why there is a wait time, so the chemicals can do their work. Once the chemicals have done their initial job, gentle, no pressure agitation, releases the last few stragglers clinging onto your wheels for dear life.
Once this process is complete, a gentle rinse will wash away a majority of these contaminants. Depending on your car, one pass may not be sufficient, and even a clay bar may be necessary to get any stubborn, embedded particles out.
Below you can see a very dirty wheel. I'm only posting the before, and during photos to illustrate the chemical cleaning. Notice how the cleaner isn't sudsing? There are small bubbles from the reaction of the chemical with the particles. It's literally breaking them apart. Zoom in and you can see them!
It's also important to note that every wheel is different, and every wheel experiences different levels of heat depending on your braking, different amounts of particles that come not just from the brakes, but also from outside environmental contaminants.
Taking a little extra time to address cleaning your wheels the proper way, will ensure a longer lifespan for the finish on your wheels, and the paint on your calipers, keeping them looking great.
Contact me anytime you have questions, or need your vehicle detailed!