Why does brake dust come back on my wheels so quickly?

Brake dust is produced every time the pads contact the rotors, so some build-up is unavoidable. Performance and semi-metallic pads, heavy braking, large brakes and stop-and-go driving produce more of it, and front wheels usually get dirtier than the rears. Cleaning more often prevents dust from baking on, and a wheel coating makes it release more easily but will not stop it forming. Low-dust pads are the main way to reduce the amount produced.