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Windex for Brake Dust

Old May 22, 2007 | 06:58 PM
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Anyone use windex to break down brake dust on wheels? I saw a thread recently where someone mentioned this so i decided to give it a try today and it works amazingly well. It works better than any off the shelf product I have wasted my money on. I am able to get my wheels shinning again in 15 minutes once a week. What a great inexpensive solution.
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Old May 23, 2007 | 02:29 AM
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Originally Posted by PJMAN' post='427383' date='May 22 2007, 09:58 PM
Anyone use windex to break down brake dust on wheels? I saw a thread recently where someone mentioned this so i decided to give it a try today and it works amazingly well. It works better than any off the shelf product I have wasted my money on. I am able to get my wheels shinning again in 15 minutes once a week. What a great inexpensive solution.
If I am not mistaken, ammonia is damaging to your alloy wheels. Ammonia is one of the active ingredients of windex.
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Old May 23, 2007 | 02:56 AM
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+1 I would stay away from windex because of the ammonia.
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Old May 23, 2007 | 05:01 AM
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Yeah instead I heard some using Glass Plus to avoid ammonia in Windex but not so sure.
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Old May 23, 2007 | 06:04 AM
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I am having a hard time believing the amount of ammonia is strong enough to damage the wheels since brake dust would seem to be a far more caustic issue and you are leaving the windex on for a very short time.
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Old May 23, 2007 | 06:26 PM
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Originally Posted by PJMAN' post='427519' date='May 23 2007, 10:04 AM
I am having a hard time believing the amount of ammonia is strong enough to damage the wheels since brake dust would seem to be a far more caustic issue and you are leaving the windex on for a very short time.
I have to agree.

Personally, I have been using diluted Simple Green for years and it works great.
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Old May 23, 2007 | 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by JPJ' post='427729' date='May 23 2007, 10:26 PM
I have to agree.

Personally, I have been using diluted Simple Green for years and it works great.
I have also used Simple Green, but in full strength mode and it does not work as well as Windex which melts away the brake dust. However a combination of the 2 seems to be the ultimate answer.
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Old May 24, 2007 | 06:32 PM
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Originally Posted by PJMAN' post='427732' date='May 23 2007, 09:35 PM
I have also used Simple Green, but in full strength mode and it does not work as well as Windex which melts away the brake dust. However a combination of the 2 seems to be the ultimate answer.
I just do not want to take a chance. I use P21S wheel cleaner which works great. Ammonia is a powerful agent even in a diluted form, but I may try some diluted Simple Green next wash. Simple Green works great on my bicycles! My 1995 318ic still has great wheels and I have taken care of them diligently since the beginning.
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