Pitted Wheels

[DoraAnderson]

I've tried to keep mine free of brake dust, but indeed mine are also pitted

[prash]

and yes I too keep my wheels clean. My 12 year old Jeep with painted wheels gets much more abuse, less cleaning, gets driven in the snow, and does not have the problem. As the original poster I appreciate all the advice on how to attempt to avoid the problem, but I do not expect to have to clean the wheels twice weekly to have them function and stay looking good.

It would be like a dinner plate manufacturer saying....sorry the tomato sauce stained your plates, they were not designed for that!!! Did all the manufacturers (Mercedes in this case) not know brake dust would get on the wheels? Jeep figured it out. The fixes given here are like telling me to put tin foil on my plates before I use them....or don't eat on them longer than 15 minutes or they might stain. We would not take that from a plate maker...and should not from a car manufacturer.

And the dealer tried to get the pitting, material, whatever....off themselves and could not either.

[silverbrabus]

Originally Posted by Padawan

the issue is the brake dust becoming embedded in the finish of the wheels. This may be due to the specific composition of the smart's brake pads....the embedded particles can be almost entirely removed with a clay bar and some elbow grease.

The problem is semi-metallic composition of the factory pads. The metal particles oxidize and become embedded in the paint. Google "rail dust" for more detailed explaination.

Stop-gap solution is clay bar for removal and waxed wheels for preventative. Fix is to change out the pads to ceramic type. I think EBC reds are the only current choice on the market.

EBC reds: user review

[John_H]

"They should have known the tires would wear and my car would need washing!!"

The problems you're complaining about are common and pervasive. Don't hold SmartUSA accountable for importing a vehicle that has wheels ans brakes just like so many other cars.

[prash]

Originally Posted by John_H

"They should have known the tires would wear and my car would need washing!!"

The problems you're complaining about are common and pervasive. Don't hold SmartUSA accountable for importing a vehicle that has wheels ans brakes just like so many other cars.

Let's not be ridiculous.....they selected the wheel finish and the braking material. If I NEVER washed the car that would be one thing...but most of us that seem to have the problem wash on a regular basis, and I actually wash the wheels more often. Again. I have owned MANY cars and do own more than one. This is the ONLY car I have had this problem with.

[John_H]

Originally Posted by prash

Let's not be ridiculous...

It seemed that the claims that brake dust harm the rims was ridiculous given how common the issue appears to me, hence my hyperbole. Apologies.

Originally Posted by prash

This is the ONLY car I have had this problem with.

Consider yourself lucky. I do believe the issue is more widespread than your experience dictates.

[SmartDigger]

all Brakes make dust.

[stressed member]

Something I have noticed is that TTL is cast into my WRX wheels, and they are pitting. Over time I have noticed that this ttl company makes wheels for Mazda also. These things are vendor items,and probably the reason so many different Car manufacturers have the same wheel maladies. I would not be surprised if ALL the wheels come from just a few manufacturers.