Tarmac_Terrorist Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 Within 15 minutes of the usual weekly car cleaning session I end up with unsightly orange discs. Unavaoidable I know. What annoys me and concerns me more is that when I first drive the car, a layer of orange rust dust lies on the wheels which looks aside, I can't imagine is too good for the wheel. Anyway, I've found a solution which only takes 5 mins: I found in the cupboard under the kitchen sink some brass polishing pads. I think they were originally from Betterware or Kleeneze. They are like felt impregnated cloth pads and the idea is that you very lightly dampen them before rubbing on to metal. My wheels are easy to access the discs through which made for a faily quick and simple job. Obviously with some wheels it would be almost impossible to gain access to the discs due to the design but then again neither would the disc show much I guess Happy days! Here are some pics: Dry pad frest from the packet Rusty discs after washing 1 minute later Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SINGH Posted August 7, 2009 Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 Why not just take it out for a quick blast? Does that not get rid of the rust? Edit: Genuine question mate, not trying to be cocky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac_Terrorist Posted August 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2009 Fair point The problem is that it leaves a coat of orange all over the wheels after braking. Sure I can probably QD it off after the blast but it makes a mess of the microfibre cloth and the rust dust particles probably marrs the polished finish of the wheels over time wiping it off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby_simon Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 I'd be woprried what residue the cleaning pads are leaving Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burble Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 I'd be woprried what residue the cleaning pads are leaving Ditto. Personally I wouldn't put anything on my brake discs with the exception of some alcohol or similar to clean the oil off them when fitting new ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwind101 Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 Looks good TT! Do you have a link to the product so we can see what is the pads? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonC Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 I'd wish I'd known about this tip when I was obsessing over my GTi :roflmao:Great tip, TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac_Terrorist Posted August 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 I've tried googling but can't find a link. I'll have another search again this evening. Whilst i'm careful what I would / wouldn't use on discs I'm reasonably confident there is nothing that would harm the discs in these felt pads. They don't contain any silicon or sealant. I suspect it is some sort of soluble aluminium oxide impregnated into the cloth. There's not much that would really bond to a steel disc and if there was, at the first touch of the brakes it would be removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maersk Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 Discs are grey, modular cast iron. Hence the rapid rusting as the oxide layer forms protecting the surface below........................................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 Discs are grey, modular cast iron. Hence the rapid rusting as the oxide layer forms protecting the surface below........................................ What do you do when it rains then? Same rust layer forms up. :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mort Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 When it rains at night.... do you lie awake worrying about this ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac_Terrorist Posted August 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 When it rains at night.... do you lie awake worrying about this ? I've never actually found that my discs have rusted from rain, probably because they don't get rained on being inside the wheels when parked up, plus it's always garaged and when driving in rain I guess the discs are hot and dry when arrive back and park up. I appreciate some may consider my desire to remove that initial surface rust OTT but having detailed the car, it is the only part that lets it down. My GTI is a bot of a garage queen and only comes out of the garage once a week and often once a fortnight - less so in winter! So if I can remove the oxidisation before putting it in the garage then it avoids getting unsightly orange wheels on it's first journey out of the garage. The diamond cut / laquered wheels are also hugely prone to corrosion and I suspect that initial film of rust dust is potentially harmful particularly if it gets slightly damp and left on the alloys. I only posted this thinking perhaps some other like minded peeps may find it remotely interesting / useful - particularly those with an OCD PS, I sleep fine / don't lie awake worrying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 My GTI is a bot of a garage queen and only comes out of the garage once a week and often once a fortnight - less so in winter! Please don't think i'm being disrespectful here, and it's your car so obviously you will do with it what you enjoy, but - I'm at a loss as to why someone would treat a car like that, the garage queen thing that is? I could understand if it was something rare/extremely valuable, but it's just a Golf at the end of the day? they are great cars don't get me wrong, but mass produced and far from rare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonC Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 I could understand if it was something rare/extremely valuable, but it's just a Golf at the end of the day? they are great cars don't get me wrong, but mass produced and far from rare. If you don't get detailing, then you never will. You particularly won't get detailing and all it's parculiarisms (is that such a word?) if you don't have or understand OCD's andf I think that's the crunch point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac_Terrorist Posted August 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 Please don't think i'm being disrespectful here, and it's your car so obviously you will do with it what you enjoy, but -I'm at a loss as to why someone would treat a car like that, the garage queen thing that is? I could understand if it was something rare/extremely valuable, but it's just a Golf at the end of the day? they are great cars don't get me wrong, but mass produced and far from rare. I don't view your post as disrespectful Tipex The thing is, it's a garage queen by default really. I have a company car for work and the company car it is parked on the drive area in front of the garage. It's just often too much hassle to swap them around just to take the Golf out for a short journey. My wife used to work and use the 2nd car daily for her 38 mile round trip commute to work. She now looks after the two little ones and is in fairly easy access to shops etc so doesn't often need to take the car out. I could easily sell the car as it is really just losing money in the garage. The reasons I haven't are: a) It's over 3 years old and depreciation has slowed b) With the recession my job has not been 100% safe. If the job goes, so does my co car. In my line of work if I found employment elsewhere, I may have to use my own car and take an allowance as opposed to getting another co car. c) When I do drive the car I love it. Bit of a toy, saved for it & bought it outright and now view it as a potential long term keeper (not quite done 7,000 miles yet from new). Also hoping to enter a concours event or two in the coming months. JC's right about the detailing thing though all the same (Want to see a really muddy piccy of your truck JC too! - not convinced you've dropped your OCD!! ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonC Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 Want to see a really muddy piccy of your truck JC too! - not convinced you've dropped your OCD!! Hi TT I'll post a piccie after this weekend to prove it as I'm off downhilling this weekend anmd the bike usually gets plastered in mud and crap I actually gave the Nav a good clean (first time in 3 weeks, honest!) yesterday. Paintwork is in excellent shape, except for 2 areas where the dealership's "valeters" hologrammed the paintwork attempting to machine out some minor marks. Still, I'm trying not to be bothered by it, and trying not to fuss over it. I'm doing really well and am very pleased with my rehabilitation Having said that, and I protest that I'm not to slipping back into my OCD trait, I do plan to do one decent clean (clay, cleanse, nourish, protect etc) one day within the next few months to set her up for the winter, then tht's me done except the 3-4 weekly clean. It is a workhorse, but a seriously fun and luxurious (believe it or not) workhorse to own. The fact that I've just cleaned it for the first time in 3 weeks is really good for me and very telling. It's difficult, but I'm getting there and it's getting easier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac_Terrorist Posted August 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 Hi TT I'll post a piccie after this weekend to prove it as I'm off downhilling this weekend anmd the bike usually gets plastered in mud and crap I actually gave the Nav a good clean (first time in 3 weeks, honest!) yesterday. Paintwork is in excellent shape, except for 2 areas where the dealership's "valeters" hologrammed the paintwork attempting to machine out some minor marks. Still, I'm trying not to be bothered by it, and trying not to fuss over it. I'm doing really well and am very pleased with my rehabilitation Having said that, and I protest that I'm not to slipping back into my OCD trait, I do plan to do one decent clean (clay, cleanse, nourish, protect etc) one day within the next few months to set her up for the winter, then tht's me done except the 3-4 weekly clean. It is a workhorse, but a seriously fun and luxurious (believe it or not) workhorse to own. The fact that I've just cleaned it for the first time in 3 weeks is really good for me and very telling. It's difficult, but I'm getting there and it's getting easier Fair play JC If I was you I would try to avoid the winter protection thingy as it will just focus your attention to the paintwork as the wax gives way etc and beading deteriorates. I think it might be the start of a slippery slope! :roflmao:Glad you're pleased with her:grin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwind101 Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 (edited) Removing the brake dust is a great thing b/c you detail the whole car, polish the exhaust and then your brakes are covered in rust. Its just a bit of imperfection in a job where you are searching for the best! Come on Jon get some photos of the pick-up! Post cleaning of course, i know what car will look great....! I hear they sell spray on mud thats paint friendly for that off roader, but i dident want to get the arches dirty look! Spray-on mud: the ultimate accessory for city 4x4 drivers | Science | The Guardian Geoff Edited August 10, 2009 by steelwind101 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonC Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 Spray-on mud: the ultimate accessory for city 4x4 drivers | Science | The Guardian How ridiculous is that?! :roflmao:Is that for real? The arches on my truck are so damn cavernous, that any mud tends to stick inside the huge arches and doesn't get on the bodywork. Puit it this way, it was very easy to jet wash the arches - no awkward lance control following the lines of the tyre for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil MC Posted August 14, 2009 Report Share Posted August 14, 2009 I'm not mega into detailing but I can appreciate where you're coming from. Top-tip TT ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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