ryanmatic

Last night I gave Aftersun a light wash, and while she certainly wasn't filthy, her wheels had a fair amount of dirt and brake dust on them (aah, AP2s!). Since the car shampoo wasn't taking it all off without excessive agitation, I figured I'd use the Meg's AWC that I used consistently on my Civic.

The wheels look great but the calipers and rotors, not so much.



Are the stock AP2 ('09) calipers painted? (I recall using this cleaner once on one of my previous AP1s and not noticing any effect on the calipers.) Aftersun's rotors also show a little discoloration from where a bit of the AWC made contact. I've since discovered that people consider this flavor of Meg's to be pretty harsh so I guess it makes more sense, but I'm still a little surprised.

If this is common knowledge, feel free to point and laugh I can live with her rotors looking like they've got birdshit on them; I'm just frustrated I caused it because I always handle her with kid gloves.

espelirS2K

Ryan, with the pic, they do look painted. I should go check my calipers to see if they're painted too.. hmm..


ps, maybe we should have a caliper painting day! Seems like a good excuse.. right, right?

s2k8

I have an 08 and they look the same!!

Vanishing Point

2007 model here and I've never had that issue, but I use P21s and rinse thoroughly immediately, and my calipers are not discolored.

I would try some P21s wheel cleaner on your calipers and see if the residue comes off.

ryanmatic

[QUOTE=espelirS2K,Aug 5 2009, 10:38 AM]maybe we should have a caliper painting day!

slanguage

Looks almost like dried on residue. I have never used the product, so I cant help you in that aspect. I heard good things about the p21s though. A friend of mine uses it and says its great.

GL and keep us updated.

espelirS2K

Sweet!

Also, Ryan, I've got like 1.2L of the P21S so you can always swing by one night when the car gets dirty and we'll wash it and see if the p21s does anything .

But to me, it looks like whatever paint, or coating, on the caliper was stripped.

Vanishing Point

As an aside to my earlier comment, make sure your calipers are cool to the touch before cleaning them. Some cleaners react strangely when applied to hot metals.

I speak from experience, unfortunately.

ryanmatic

Bummer I usually do the rims last, actually, so I don't worry about getting them wet again while washing the car. It's certainly possible that the calipers stay hot for a long time after driving, though.

Maybe we should start a "messed up calipers" badge

SpecC

that product will eventually turn it into a rusted look

i have it on both my cars hahaha

for a better wheel cleaner that is cheap and OTC too, i suggest duragloss AWC