Does alumium wheels normally rust?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Corvallis, OR
Are they chromed aluminum? Usually the chrome gets pits in it and causes oxidation like that. Usually this is accelerated by de-icing chemicals/salt or brake dust. In the upper left it looks like a lot of brake dust buildup, which is quite corrosive to wheels. Its good to wash your wheels frequently to get rid of the road salt, chemicals, and brake dust to keep them in good condition.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
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Are they chromed aluminum? Usually the chrome gets pits in it and causes oxidation like that. Usually this is accelerated by de-icing chemicals/salt or brake dust. In the upper left it looks like a lot of brake dust buildup, which is quite corrosive to wheels. Its good to wash your wheels frequently to get rid of the road salt, chemicals, and brake dust to keep them in good condition.
I really don't want to replace wheels. I'm open to treatment/refinish suggestion. Being aluminum is the rust going to damage/ weaken the wheel? As far as I can tell this is the only wheel effected.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
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From: Corvallis, OR
Ok, those are painted/clearcoated aluminum. No, it won't affect the wheel strength. You could clean them up really good and try getting most of the stain off with buffing, but it won't be a cure and it will come back over time. Once they are neglected to that point, they can't be returned to new without stripping off the coating, polishing, and recoating them.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
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Ok, those are painted/clearcoated aluminum. No, it won't affect the wheel strength. You could clean them up really good and try getting most of the stain off with buffing, but it won't be a cure and it will come back over time. Once they are neglected to that point, they can't be returned to new without stripping off the coating, polishing, and recoating them.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
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From: Corvallis, OR
It's not bare aluminum, there is a clear coat over it, which is why I said rubbing compound instead.
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You Keep What You Kill
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From: Huntersville, NC
I'm in the process of polishing my 18" OEM wheels. I'm using Mother's "Mag & Aluminum Polish" and Mother's "Mini Powerball" with great results. I'm also using Turtle Wax "Polishing Compound & Scratch Remover" on the heavily stained areas of the wheels. I hand polished the center caps and they look like new. I found all of these products at Wal-Mart.
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Fleet Mechanic
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Polishing compound is finer, and will not dull as much as rubbing compound. It will be a few minutes more work though.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Corvallis, OR
I was designating a rubbing compound as opposed to a polish as some might take that as being a metal polish and these wheels are clear coated.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
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From: Stevens Point, WI
If not taken care of that stuff can be real hard to get off. I try to keep that stuff off the wheels. I will clean my wheels every month just so that stuff doesn't build up and bond to the wheel. Easy to clean off if you stay on top of it.
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