any ideas on cleaning and keeping brake dust off rims?

 

MDJag, the easy solution is to simply upgrade your brake pads to a low dust ceramic pad. You would be amazed as to how simple this is. Granted, the ceramic pads are not cheap and if you are paying a shop to install new pads, it can be somewhat expensive. But, if you need your brakes done anyways, these pads are just a little more.

After that, try using a wax of some sort and keep the rims well waxed. The wax will not let the dust stick and any sort of water will let the brake dust float away. Other than that, every few days, give the wheels a good spray with the garden hose.

Please, whatever you do, do not use those dust shields. Not just because of the look that is added to the rim, but they also tend to block the necessary cooling needed to the rotors. Due to the lack of cooling, this tends to lead to increased pad wear and rotor warpage.

Hope this helps.

 

MD, I totally agree with Thermo put ceramics on. Also I use a flat "U" shaped toilet bowl brush to get inside and get the dirt out.

 

I would like to use ceramics on my XJ40 too .

 

You'll be cleaning brake dust every other day if you drive it daily, unless you change the pads. It is very frustrating...no amount of teflon slippery stuff will keep it from accumulating on the nice shiny alloys. Hey, at least its a DIY project.

 

A really good hard carnuaba wax (softer or liquid ones tend to last much less especially on wheels form the heat), applied in multiple layers after a thorough cleaning really helps keep the dust off. A garden hose doesn't sound like a good idea water is too hard and will leave spots. Go to a wand car wash, set it to spot free rinse, let it run for a bit then hit the wheels, everything comes completely off. Re-Wax once every 3-4 months or when you feel too much is accumuating again.

Last time I had my tires changed, the guys at the shop were amazed at how clean the wheels were on the inside as well as the outside.

 

I can recommend several different products:

P21S Gel Wheel Cleaner or Poorboy's Spray and Rinse Wheel Cleaner
An EZ Detail Brush for cleaning inside and outside the rim
Poorboy's Wheel Sealant, or basically any synthetic paint sealant (will last much longer than using a traditional carnauba wax)

 

I use Autoglym Custom Wheel Cleaner as it is acid free. I also sprayed the wheels with Autoglym Alloy Wheel Seal which puts on a smooth coat that means the rain helps to carry away any muck. Tar spots and brake dust are easier to wash off as well.

I try to clean the wheels with good old soap and water once a week and have a alloy wheel brush, which cost £2 off ebay to help get into the gaps.

 

Good comments so far on the ceramic pads.

Also:

Waxing the inside or the wheel
Doing a better job getting the dust off during a wash

I like Meguiars Wheel Cleaner. I forget the exact name, but comes in a gallon that is mixed like 5 to 1. This gallon will last you several years and a bit caustic, but won't damage the wheel. You can thin it as required.

Good detail technique when washing including really getting the dust off the caliper and outer pad, along with a detailed/waxed rim & ceramic pads is all you can do.

 

I usually get my car washed every week, I noticed as long as you send it through the wash weekly you never really get a build up until about day 6 or 7. While I do think I'm going to get some better pads in the future that don't cake on the dust, the weekly wash has kept me happy.

 

All of the above is really good advice......EBC Redstuff are low dust pads and offer good stopping power too.
The various waxes etc are fantastic and certainly help for sure.
Imho though ( speaking from personal experience ) I hand wash my alloys every few days with warm soapy water and use a wheel brush for this to get into all the nooks n crannies. I sold a set of alloys that had been on my car for 18 months or so and the guy thought they were as good as new. Frequent washing like this never allows the build up to take hold and life is easier all round.....just my .2c worth

 

Plus one on this. I highly recommend the Poorboy's Wheel Sealant. Using regular wax will not do much good as it is likely to melt The P21S is a great cleaner. For really dirty grimy wheels use Poorboy's Spray and Rinse wheel cleaner. Once you get them clean and use the wheel sealant you can easily maintain with just soap and water or some Poorboy's Spray and Wipe.