Brake dust is one of the toughest things to remove from wheels. It’s iron from your brake pads that bonds tightly to the surface and won’t shift with normal cleaners. That’s where a brake dust remover / iron remover comes in. It breaks the bond so the contamination can be rinsed away safely. As it works it changes colour, almost like the iron bleeding out of your wheels. It’s a strangely satisfying way to see just how much brake dust was stuck on!

Most detailers reach for iron removers on wheels, but they can also be used on paint to deal with fallout from trains, industry, or even black sand. We see it all the time — our own warehouse sits right next to train tracks, and plenty of customers in places like Waiuku deal with iron contamination from the local sand. Even brand-new cars often need decontamination after transport.

Our Picks

• Autostolz Wheel Cleaner – Strong, high-alkaline formula for heavy brake dust. Shop now →
• Dragons Breath – Colour-changing brake dust remover, safe enough for regular use. Shop now →
• Fireball Iron Burn – Pro-grade iron remover for wheels and paint. Shop now →