Hardened Brake Dust and Trailing Arms Shout-Out
03-10-2012, 09:53 PM
#1
Hardened Brake Dust and Trailing Arms Shout-Out After a winter's worth of driving with HP+ pads, my wheels were in awful shape. Six months of hardened brake dust formed a coating that five over-the-counter brands of wheel cleaner couldn't remove. So, I started doing research into more powerful products. As it turns out, the most powerful commercial wheel cleaner that you can buy, Sonax Full Effect, wasn't strong enough to do the job (I know because I went through 3 bottles @ $16 on one wheel). As it turns out, there is a option: Prosoco Sure Clean 600 ($20/gallon); an industrial strength, hydrochloric acid based solution.
Original condition.
After three bottles of Sonax Full Effect.
After two cups of Prososco 600. Brake dust annihilated. By the way, that's water on the wheels.
Also, I just wanted to throw up a quick shout out to Killernoodle over on the Cadillac forums. I keep telling him to post over here--he's fabricating new trailing arms that eliminate rubbing issues with wide wheels, and are much beefier than the stockers. I just put them on tonight. Looking forward to getting some Forgestar F14s soon so I can put these arms to good use!
Bigger OEM and Killernoodle trailing arm pictures here. I could probably put 305's in the back without trouble, and my V is about 2" lower than stock.
Original condition.
After three bottles of Sonax Full Effect.
After two cups of Prososco 600. Brake dust annihilated. By the way, that's water on the wheels.
Also, I just wanted to throw up a quick shout out to Killernoodle over on the Cadillac forums. I keep telling him to post over here--he's fabricating new trailing arms that eliminate rubbing issues with wide wheels, and are much beefier than the stockers. I just put them on tonight. Looking forward to getting some Forgestar F14s soon so I can put these arms to good use!
Bigger OEM and Killernoodle trailing arm pictures here. I could probably put 305's in the back without trouble, and my V is about 2" lower than stock.
Last edited by FuzzyLog1c; 03-12-2012 at 12:12 AM.
03-11-2012, 09:27 AM
#7
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03-11-2012, 10:16 AM
#8
600 is a (relatively) weak hydrochloric acid based cleaner typically used to clean new masonry. Therefore, a construction supplies place is what you're looking for. A&H Harris sold me a gallon for $17. Here's the official Prosoco Sure Clean 600 page. Try the Distributor button in the upper right corner to find your nearest seller.
Based on my experience and the forum threads that I've read, it will not eat through clearcoat. I theorize that you might have an issue if you have major pitting that allows the fluid to get in and damage the paint. I took zero precautions and came out shiny (literally). If I had to do it again, I'd recommend generously soak a rag in it (Nitrile gloves are a must!), and wipe the entire inside of the wheel periodically to ensure that you have fresh reactants all the way around. It'll turn from clear to yellow as it works.
Based on my experience and the forum threads that I've read, it will not eat through clearcoat. I theorize that you might have an issue if you have major pitting that allows the fluid to get in and damage the paint. I took zero precautions and came out shiny (literally). If I had to do it again, I'd recommend generously soak a rag in it (Nitrile gloves are a must!), and wipe the entire inside of the wheel periodically to ensure that you have fresh reactants all the way around. It'll turn from clear to yellow as it works.
Last edited by FuzzyLog1c; 03-11-2012 at 11:48 PM.
03-12-2012, 12:02 AM
#10
Based on the 19x9" front and 19x10" rear width that Peter at Forgestar said they were going to do for the CTS-V, I'll probably go with 245/40/19 and 285/35/19 Hankook Ventus V12 evo 110s.
Although I have no complaints about the KDWs (ferocious braking performance and 1.05 lateral G's in one particularly epic turn), the Hankooks are supposedly better. I guess I'll find out when the new wheels arrive.
By the way, if you're in the market for tires, I recommend reading the PDF version of the "nine affordable summer tires" Car and Driver article. Most people that have read the article online don't realize that it's missing all of the vital data (i.e.: skidpad stats and lap times).
Although I have no complaints about the KDWs (ferocious braking performance and 1.05 lateral G's in one particularly epic turn), the Hankooks are supposedly better. I guess I'll find out when the new wheels arrive.
By the way, if you're in the market for tires, I recommend reading the PDF version of the "nine affordable summer tires" Car and Driver article. Most people that have read the article online don't realize that it's missing all of the vital data (i.e.: skidpad stats and lap times).
03-12-2012, 11:04 AM
#12
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I've never used this stuff myself, but I've seen plenty of people on other forums use it with great results. You want to do it the way Fuzzy did it - wheels off the car so you can thoroughly rinse all of the Prosoco off and not leave any of it in nooks and crannies. It should not harm the wheel as long as they're clearcoated. You don't want to use it like off-the-shelf wheel cleaners (don't put Prosoco in a spray bottle and douse the wheel while it's mounted on the car) as the HCl can start to attack uncoated metals (like your suspension bits).
Good ventilation, good rubber gloves, no skin contact.
Good ventilation, good rubber gloves, no skin contact.
03-21-2012, 08:38 PM
#15
Update: so far, no ill effects caused by Prosoco Sure Clean 600. I'm using it regularly now. I'll let you know if anything bad happens.
By the way, try applying a 50/50 mix with a spray bottle. It works really well. Warning: kills grass. See below.
By the way, try applying a 50/50 mix with a spray bottle. It works really well. Warning: kills grass. See below.
Last edited by FuzzyLog1c; 03-21-2012 at 08:46 PM.
03-22-2012, 08:44 PM
#17
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03-27-2012, 02:10 PM
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You rock on this find brother. The gallon of 600 came in, cruised by Homo Depot for a squirt bottle - mixed it 1:1, and spray, sponge, and hose - BAMMO, done!
03-27-2012, 03:03 PM
#20
Unknown. Try a dab on the back lip and see what happens. Based on what I've seen from many different drivers with many different types of wheels, this stuff seems pretty safe. The only thing that I will say is absolutely unsafe is bare metal. It will cause corrosion.
