(Updated on July 28, 2022)
If you drive a car anywhere, then you will see brake dust start to accumulate on your wheels and rims over time. This process happens because the metallic particles from a heated brake pad develop a static charge. Although it won’t impact the performance of your vehicle, brake dust can make your wheels look terrible.
Specialty cleaners are needed to remove brake dust that has settled over time. Use these products so that the problem can be wiped away. Here are our favorites:
Top 7 Best Brake Dust Removers
1) Sonax Wheel Cleaner
- Safe On All Factory Installed Wheels: Acid-Free, Ph Balanced Formula Won'T Damage Wheels, Safe On...
- Watch It Work: The Color Changing Formula Activates When It Comes In Contact With The Ferrous Metals...
- Advanced And Effective Chemistry: Full Effect, Non Acid Wheel Cleaner Attaches And Emulsifies...
- Full Effect Is Great For Both The Diy (Do-It-Yourself) And The Professional. Effortlessly Achieve...
If you use high-end aluminum or alloy wheels on your vehicle, then you will love the results that are possible with this cleaner. It turns red as it penetrates the unwanted material, allowing you to know when it is time to clean it away. This product is safe on clear-coated, anodized, and painted wheels. Give it about 10 minutes to start working, and then a high-power water source will make the wheels look incredible once again.
2) Armor All Outlast Brake Dust Repellent
- Forms a protective barrier on wheels and rims
- Keeps wheels clean longer
- The invisible barrier lasts up to four weeks
You will need to use this product after you get the wheels and rims clean, but it is a must-have item in your arsenal all the same. Spray it onto your surfaces to keep your wheels fresher for longer – this product will last for up to 4 weeks with each treatment. You will discover that the brake dust becomes easier to remove the next time because of its repellent nature. There are fewer issues with road grime and dirt around your tires as well when you regularly use this product.
3) Carfidant Ultimate Wheel Cleaner
- ULTIMATE CLEANING POWER - Quickly and easily clean the dirt and brake dust off your wheels! Our...
- ULTIMATE CLEANING POWER - Quickly and easily clean the dirt and brake dust off your wheels! Our...
- EASY-TO-USE & 100% SAFE FOR ALL RIMS - Simply spray on, let the wheel soak and rinse off! Safely use...
- ADVANCED, SAFE & pH NEUTRAL FORMULA - Our formula is a bit different than what you are used to. Dare...
This product is 100% guaranteed to be safe for all rims. The instructions for use are relatively simple: let the wheels soak with the product as instructed, and then rinse the spray away. It is compatible with chrome, alloy, aluminum, and polished wheels – and much more. It features an acid-free, pH neutral formula that will help your vehicle to sparkle and shine once again without spotting, clearcoat problems, or paint damage.
4) Meguiar’s G180132 Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner
- FAST ACTING: Active gel quickly dissolves heavy brake dust and turns purple as it dissolves brake...
- PRISTINE WHEELS: Tough on road grime and dirt, but not your wheels
- SAFE FOR ALL WHEELS: Acid free and pH balanced - safe for all wheel finishes
- EASY ON BRAKES: Safe on painted brake components
Meguiar’s G180132 Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner is a fast acting, safe for all wheel finishes, and easy on brakes cleaner. This product will quickly remove brake dust, dirt, and grime from all types of wheels. This popular wheel cleaner is pH balanced and safe for use on all wheel finishes, including clear coated, painted, anodized, and chrome wheels.
5) Car Guys Wheel and Tire Cleaner
- ✅ CAR GUYS Wheel Cleaner is a versatile brake dust cleaner that is safe on wheels, tires, and...
- ✅ Safe on Rims and Tires! – Our advanced pH Neutral formula, safely removes the toughest dirt...
- ✅ Quick & Easy to Use! – Nobody likes wasting time and money. Our highly concentrated cleaning...
- ✅ Why choose CAR GUYS? – We Care About Quality! Our products are made with the latest...
If you live somewhere that causes your vehicle to accumulate a lot of winter grime, then this product will be a valuable addition to your garage. Road salts can be exceptionally corrosive if they don’t get removed from your car. This issue can create rust spots around your wheels and rims in no time at all. It does not stain or damage when applied, with its formulation so compelling that you could clean white wall tires on a motorcycle without a problem. This product is also one of the few that comes with a 100% money-back guarantee.
6) Adam’s Wheel Cleaner
- ✅ WHY CHOOSE ADAM’S WHEEL CLEANER? - Which part of your car takes the biggest beating? Your...
- ✅ ADVANCED CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY - Our Wheel Cleaner was made to compliment your arsenal of car...
- ✅ CAR CLEANING MADE EASY - Most wheel cleaners can be harmful to your wheel finish and dissolve...
- ✅ IS IT SAFE FOR MY WHEEL FINISH? - Adam’s Wheel Cleaner is safe on almost all wheel finishes,...
This cleaner is one of the few in this category which changes color as it is working, allowing you to know visually when to remove it instead of relying on a timer. The advanced formulation penetrates dirt and grime with a pH neutral formula that will pry up the toughest stains on your wheels. It works with most finishes, works with scrubbers to remove the dark stains, and makes your wheels look like they are brand new again. It is just as effective on metallic contamination as it is on salt.
7) Griot’s Garage Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner
- Safe for all wheel finishes
- pH-balanced, non-acidic, non-caustic
- Viscous liquid stays on wheel to break up and loosen brake dust and road grime
- Product changes color as it interacts with brake dust
You can apply this wheel cleaner on all finishes to create a better sparkle in just minutes. It leaves your wheels with a beautiful shine because it quickly removes tar, dirt, and grime in addition to the brake dust that can develop. It doesn’t have a strong smell when using it either, but there are some strength limitations. If you regularly clean away the dust, then a spray and wipe will have them looking great again. When there is a year’s worth of grime on your rims, then one of the other products on this list will provide a better solution.
The best brake dust cleaners for your car will help your wheels to look like they just stepped off of the factory floor. Pick your favorite product, and then cut through that grime immediately so that your vehicle can look awesome once again!