Hawke carbon/ferro blue pads

[graham blackwell]

Following my first sprint of the season at 3 Sisters in the rain last weekend, the car needed a good clean, and I found that I couldn't wash the brake dust off the rims or the sides of the car. The paintwork is now decidedly matt, and the rims I had to chip the powder off, and resulted in using an abrasive cleaning compound to remove all the black dust. The rims are now decidedly 2nd hand looking, though I did get the brake dust off. Is this a known side effect of these pads? They give incredible stopping power from cold, but the volumes of dust were a little suprising, particularly the effect its had on the paintwork.

[1200Datto27]

I use the same pad type in my Datsun 1200, and I have never had any issues with the brake dust adhering to the wheels or paint work.

[shiny side up!]

Hmmm, sounds nasty. You might try the old trick of spraying a light cooking oil or something similar on the wheel before you run, makes getting the dust off later a breeze...

[Mackmot]

or silicone spray which makes them shiny and nice looking and is a bit more professional than cooking oil

[Chucky]

We've had a similar problem with Ferodo DS3000. The dust on the wheels is impossible to get off.

[graham blackwell]

I have used EBC Greenstuff pads, with little dust, but also noticably less stopping power, hence the change to the Hawke pads.

Out of Ferodo DS2000, 4003, and DS3000, which ones are best for hillclimb use?

Likewise Mintex 1144, 1155, 1166

Ditto EBC Red, Yellow, Blue?

I can polish the crud off the doors, I tried on Monday. Apparently it's iron thats now stuck down the side of the car, as the pads contain carbon and iron!

[shiny side up!]

Originally posted by Mackmot
or silicone spray which makes them shiny and nice looking and is a bit more professional than cooking oil

Well, I've been accused of having a 'NASCAR-like' mentality before!!!

[tangoed sparky]

Try traffic film remover. Its the stuff that they wash trucks with I use it on my cars wheels I just spray it on neat before I wash the car and it cleans off all the **** with out having to even rub at it. Try your local valeter or valeter supplyer. In Derby there is a company called Quadralene that supplys it. Be carefull though as there are differant strenths of the stuff. You could also try a truck spares type company. Its easy to got hold of if you have the right contacts. Its also very good at cleaning engines ect.

[Chucky]

I can't speak for the others but out of the Ferodo's the DS3000 has a very high mu from low ambient temps. I guess this is probably what you'd be looking for in a hillclimber. The only thing to watch for is heat soak which can be an issue with a circuit racer when you stop in the pits and then go out again straight away. I can't see that being an issue in hillclimb though.

[graham blackwell]

I've got some PTFE spray now, which I'll use as a release agent before my next sprint on April 25th. Ferodo DS2500's are supposed to be very good too.

[cannardd]

I use DS2500 on the road in 4-pot Brembo calipers and they work from cold too (mu of 0.50).
DS3000 have slightly higher friction but should still work from cold (mu of 0.62).
DS2000 have been discontinued and replaced by DS-Performance (mu of 0.42).

For a front wheel drive car the ideal setup would be either:
DS2500 (F) & DS-Performance (R)
or
DS3000 (F) & DS2500 (R)

[graham blackwell]

Cheers chaps. I'm running EBC Greens on the rear disks, which are great for left foot braking in the wet (just enough bite)

I may stick with the Hawke pads for the next event. I'll have to see whats left in the kitty.