Brake dust repel with Wheelwax

[SJCFlyer]

Originally Posted by Penguin

You may be right... Actually, you probably are right.

Now, to be clear, what follows is NOT a criticism of the current thread or any of the posters (I seem to have confused someone on another thread where they took a statement of mine to be a criticism.)

Over the years I've gotten a bit weary of so many discussions without any real data. The main example was people who constantly claim the engines in today's cars do not need a break-in, as they come from the factory ready to go. So in that case, I finally popped a few bucks to get some real data. And the real data showed that, at least for for the 2004 Z4, wear in the engine in the first couple of thousand miles was about 2-4 times the wear in the second couple of thousand. So at least one things was, in my mind, settled with the data -- modern engines still have a lot more wear going on when they are new. Now the debate can at least move onto the implications of this fact.

So maybe it's my engineering education, etc., but I like to get real data, and often wax half of my vehicle's hood with one wax, and the other half with a different wax, to get some more data, since empirical data trumps theory in my book.

MMmMm. I like good data!

[rickp]

I guess I'm old school. I have Zaino'd my wheels and when it's time to clean (every other week):

1. Spray down any brake dust with water
2. Coat with simple green
3. Use a sponge and wipe off the rest

The dust comes off very easy with a rub. No type of wax is going to prevent brake dust from adhering to your wheels unless you do something about the pads.

[Sea Doom]

Originally Posted by Penguin

I did a test once, using Wheel Wax on half of the wheel, and nothing on the other half. To my surprise, the Wheel Wax side collected more brake dust than the unwaxed side.

We just completed a 6K mi. road trip with Wheel Wax on R side front and rear, and another "protectant" L side front and rear, for comparison (OEM rims and pads X '10 35d). L side wheels cleaned up SIGNIFICANTLY easier than the R side. The other "protectant" was: 2 coats of off the shelf "Endust". Go figure.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by Sea Doom

We just completed a 6K mi. road trip with Wheel Wax on R side front and rear, and another "protectant" L side front and rear, for comparison (OEM rims and pads X '10 35d). L side wheels cleaned up SIGNIFICANTLY easier than the R side. The other "protectant" was: 2 coats of off the shelf "Endust". Go figure.

I do the half-a-wheel test, rather than Left or Right. as I figure the amount of dirt/dust might vary between left and right, one side being near the edge of the road and the other near the center and opposing traffic. But, as I said earlier, my first test of Wheel Wax showed it actually got "dirtier" than the untreated half, so I'm not surprised.

I suspect another problem with a lot of these products is that many wheel cleaners may remove them. This means either not using wheel cleaners, making cleaning the wheels more difficult, or re-applying it every time you wash the wheels.

I typically use S100 and a soft brush to clean the wheels, and it makes it really easy -- just spay the wheel with water, put 3-4 fine mist squirts of S100 on the wheel, brush a bit with the long-handled soft bristle brush, and spray off with water. If I have to forgo the wheel cleaner or re-apply the treatment every time, then what have I really gained?

I did note that the Wheel Wax seemed to have a lot of "cleaner grit" in it, as compared to other wheel products, so it may make sense to use it periodically to more aggressively clean, smooth, and polish the wheel. But for routine use, I find it to have a rather poor effort to benefit ratio, particularly since my first test showed it actually attracted brake dust.

I've heard that PAM Cooking Spray works on wheels, so I might give that a test as well... making sure not to get any on the rotors or pads.

[deutsch100]

From the looks of these replies....seems like my WheelWax miracle, will be no miracle

Thanks for the responses!

[Quicksilver]

Changing my brake pads made all the difference in the world.

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

Changing my brake pads made all the difference in the world.

What exact pads did you switch to? Did you do front and rear, or just front? What about the TPM sensor? Do they seem as strong and great at the OEM factory brakes (horrible brake dust, awesome performance)? Does this affect warranty at all?

And since brakes and rotors are free under the 4yr/50k warranty...how much did the brakes cost, and installation? Also, since you added aftermarket, non-approved BMW brake pads...what will happen when you need rotors? I have a feeling BMW will not want to pay for your rotors, since you "micky-moused" with the brakes, and put aftermarket pads. Hmmmm..... I love free maintenance, but dust free pads would be so nice.

How much less is the brake dust? 50% 100%??

[3Series]

Originally Posted by deutsch100

What exact pads did you switch to? Did you do front and rear, or just front? What about the TPM sensor? Do they seem as strong and great at the OEM factory brakes (horrible brake dust, awesome performance)? Does this affect warranty at all?

And since brakes and rotors are free under the 4yr/50k warranty...how much did the brakes cost, and installation? Also, since you added aftermarket, non-approved BMW brake pads...what will happen when you need rotors? I have a feeling BMW will not want to pay for your rotors, since you "micky-moused" with the brakes, and put aftermarket pads. Hmmmm..... I love free maintenance, but dust free pads would be so nice.

How much less is the brake dust? 50% 100%??

There are so many different types of pads, you'll either have to rely on reviews or try them yourself. I think Jurid supplies BMW but other brands are similar like Textar, Pagid, ATE.....

TPM? Do you mean the brake sensor wire? TPM refers to the tire pressure monitor. As for the brake sensor, you don't have to replace it if its still good.

For everyday driving I doubt you would notice the performance difference between OEM BMW pads and economy from Midas.

"I have a feeling BMW will not want to pay for your rotors, since you "micky-moused" with the brakes"

BMW could claim the pad you put on is more aggressive and created excessive wear.....you could always put the OEM pads back on before taking it to the dealer and getting free rotors.....

[JCL]

Originally Posted by deutsch100

What exact pads did you switch to? Did you do front and rear, or just front? What about the TPM sensor? Do they seem as strong and great at the OEM factory brakes (horrible brake dust, awesome performance)? Does this affect warranty at all?

And since brakes and rotors are free under the 4yr/50k warranty...how much did the brakes cost, and installation? Also, since you added aftermarket, non-approved BMW brake pads...what will happen when you need rotors? I have a feeling BMW will not want to pay for your rotors, since you "micky-moused" with the brakes, and put aftermarket pads. Hmmmm..... I love free maintenance, but dust free pads would be so nice.

How much less is the brake dust? 50% 100%??

Quick already replied, but here is another data point for you.

Axxis Deluxe, on both the X5 and a new 535i, front and rear. Installed at 35,000 km on the X5, with new rotors and sensors. Still very good pad life left when the vehicle was sold at 70,000 km. Installed at 1,000 km on the 535i, threw the OE pads away. Rotors and sensors were like new, not replaced.

Same pedal feel, same initial bite. Have never experienced fade, even in spirited driving in mountain passes, so I don't know if they are better or worse than stock, but they are as capable as I need in that respect.

I wouldn't expect BMW to repair a brake squeal, that is now my problem (it hasn't been a problem). No other warranty impact. We don't get pads and rotors here, only scheduled maintenance. When my dealer does inspections, and changes brake fluid, they measure remaining pad thickness. Never had a comment on the non-OE pads.

I estimate 95% less brake dust on the 535. A little more on the X5. Other than regular car washes, I get the wheel cleaner out twice a year, when I change winter wheels.

[Jen]

deutsch, looks like you and I will have identical, shiny AW X5's with clean wheels! I, too, use wheel wax and it does work well for me. I have tried many products out there including rejex and even zaino. As soon as the weather clears and warms up, my new baby is getting clayed, swissvax, etc. I'll post up the pics as soon as its' done!