Tips for cleaning Brake Calipers

540iSUP · 11-22-2022, 12:54 AM

Hey everyone,

I was wondering what your process was for cleaning up brake calipers when doing your normal weekly or bi-weekly car washes.

My calipers have dust caked on and I keep scrubbing, but I can't get it 100% clean. Also, do you apply wheel wax to keep them from getting caked in dust?

SonD · 11-22-2022, 03:49 PM

Sonax Wheel Cleaner, patience, and a soft brush will clean them to as new usually.
Wax will not endure the heat that calipers produce - this stuff does and has worked superbly well for me. Hardly needs any cleaning to get them looking like new again when cleaning the car.
I did rims, calipers and exhaust tips.
You will obviously need somewhere your side of the water..
https://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/qjutsu-wheel-coat

G30 B58 · 11-23-2022, 11:58 AM

On our calipers we used CarPro Dlux topped with CarPro Gliss.

I'm told these can withstand the heat better than regular waxes.

As stated, a stiff (short bristles) but still soft brush and let your cleaner soak a little while. Rinse with lots of water.

admranger · 11-24-2022, 03:35 PM

I ceramic coated my brake calipers with Avalon King Armor Shield IX. It does a pretty good job keeping the brake dust at bay.

Agree with Sonax full effect wheel cleaner. Anything that sticks after the water spray is removed with this stuff and a light hit with the wheel brush. Plus, the Sonax turns purple as it works so that's cool as well.

Joe-BMW33 · 12-08-2022, 05:58 AM

I douse them with Sonax and blast them with my power washer. Mine are ceramic coated as well. If they need a little agitation with these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

11-22-2022, 12:54 AM	#1
540iSUP Captain 704 Rep 803 Posts Drives: G30, E36 Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: California iTrader: (1)	Tips for cleaning Brake Calipers Hey everyone, I was wondering what your process was for cleaning up brake calipers when doing your normal weekly or bi-weekly car washes. My calipers have dust caked on and I keep scrubbing, but I can't get it 100% clean. Also, do you apply wheel wax to keep them from getting caked in dust?
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11-22-2022, 03:49 PM	#2
SonD Lieutenant 325 Rep 436 Posts Drives: 545e (Finally :-) ) Join Date: May 2021 Location: Midlands UK iTrader: (0)	Sonax Wheel Cleaner, patience, and a soft brush will clean them to as new usually. Wax will not endure the heat that calipers produce - this stuff does and has worked superbly well for me. Hardly needs any cleaning to get them looking like new again when cleaning the car. I did rims, calipers and exhaust tips. You will obviously need somewhere your side of the water.. https://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/qjutsu-wheel-coat
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11-23-2022, 11:58 AM	#3
G30 B58 Pace Car Driver 1548 Rep 3,164 Posts Drives: '22 AW G30 B58 M-Sport Join Date: May 2014 Location: my garage in PA iTrader: (0)	On our calipers we used CarPro Dlux topped with CarPro Gliss. I'm told these can withstand the heat better than regular waxes. As stated, a stiff (short bristles) but still soft brush and let your cleaner soak a little while. Rinse with lots of water.
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11-24-2022, 03:35 PM	#4
admranger Retired Curmudgeon 2985 Rep 4,047 Posts Drives: ‘19 X3M40i, ‘18 m550i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV iTrader: (1)	I ceramic coated my brake calipers with Avalon King Armor Shield IX. It does a pretty good job keeping the brake dust at bay. Agree with Sonax full effect wheel cleaner. Anything that sticks after the water spray is removed with this stuff and a light hit with the wheel brush. Plus, the Sonax turns purple as it works so that's cool as well. __________________ '19 X3 M40 Carbon Black/Oyster, '23 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit, Past BMWs: '18 M550i, '18 330 GT, '16 X5 40e, '11 E90M3, '06 X5 4.4, '03 330i ZHP, '02 M3, '97 Z3 2.8, '95 M3 (2x), '94 530i (manual), '92 525i (manual), '88 M3, '87 325iS
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12-08-2022, 05:58 AM	#5
Joe-BMW33 Major General 7338 Rep 6,749 Posts Drives: '18 M550i\|'21 X5\|'03 540i Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Boston iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 VW Tiguan [0.00] 2015 Infiniti QX60 [0.00] 2021 BMW X5 [0.00] 2003 BMW 540i [0.00] 2018 BMW M550 [10.00]	I douse them with Sonax and blast them with my power washer. Mine are ceramic coated as well. If they need a little agitation with these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 __________________ 2018 M550ix\|Carbon Black\|Dinan Modifications\|2003 540i\|Jet Black\|M-Sport\|2021 X5 Mineral White Prior BMW's: 1987 325e\|1993 740i\|1998 740il\|2001 530i\|2002 745li\|2007 750li\|2006 750li\|2001 530i\|2012 535xi\|
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