what is this stuff and how do i clean it?

[PCx188]

i got these 2 pc. rims and i am totally clueless on what is all over the lip of these things! it's white, seems crusty, but wont come off. all in all, they are white crusty spider veins all over the lip of the rim. can anyone tell me the easiest way on how to remove this stuff and what it is? HELP. thanks.

[craig]

Rim is pitted, needs sanding down, polished and relaquered.
not as easy as just "cleanining" it.

Hope this helps.

[Scott Barton]

Might be wrong, but i think the salt that is used on the roads for gritting in icy weather does not help this. I have heard that the salt eats into the alloy. Once there is a surface scratch or abrasion it works its way into the metal and you end up with results like that.

Definate rim refurb in your case.

[craig]

Might be wrong, but i think the salt that is used on the roads for gritting in icy weather does not help this. I have heard that the salt eats into the alloy. Once there is a surface scratch or abrasion it works its way into the metal and you end up with results like that.

Definate rim refurb in your case.

yeah salt + split polished rims =

take a hell of a lot more looking after than normal wheels.

[Si_Crewe]

Did anybody ever tell you that aluminium doesn't rust?
Now you know they lied.

That's your classic aluminium corrosion. The surface is machined and polished in the factory and then coated in clear laquer. Once stone-chips start to damage the laquer water can get in and then, after a few months, you get what you're seeing.
It's made worse because the laquer actually traps the water and oxidised alloy so it looks awful.

If you scrape at the areas with a fingernail or a plastic knife (nothing metal) you'll find the laquer will flake off and the corrosion will be like dust which can be brushed off.

In my younger (and more foolish) days I tried to repair this kind of damage by rubbing the surface with a plastic scubbing pad. It works but, of course, you're removing all the laquer so you then need to polish your wheels every few days to stop them looking awful.
The only real solution is to send the wheels off to a specialist and get them refinished properly.

Oh, one last thing:-
The absolute WORST thing for alloy wheels is brake dust. It must be acidic or something because, if it settles on an alloy wheel, eventually it'll eat right through the laquer and stain the wheel permanantly black.
You can make your wheels last a lot longer by washing off brake dust as soon as it starts to build up.

[PCx188]

thanks guys! but i think i found the solution here at home...

here are my results after an hour worth of work.





1. brushed the whole lip with that aircraft remover stripper stuff...
2. washed it off after 30 mins or so...
3. scrubbed the whole lip with rough steel wool, then medium, then touched it off with the fine steel wool...
4. used some turtle wax heavy duty rubbing compound...
5. and finally, i used the mother's mag polish.

the first rim came out looking great! if it didnt have any small nicks, it would look new!

[Polypedates]

That's a remarkable improvement - good work =D>

I found Autoglym metal polish is also good for achieveing a nice finishing shine when I tested it on a Mk1 alloy I'd refurbished.

I'd do a write up for the knowledge base if I were you. I would recommend putting some new lacquer on though to protect your good work.

[Si_Crewe]

Erm...

See my previous post. Expect the wheels to go black within a few days.
You need to take those wheels to somebody who can lacquer them or have a go yourself.
If you don't they will look manky within a few days.

[JohnA]

thanks guys! but i think i found the solution here at home...



1. brushed the whole lip with that aircraft remover stripper stuff...
2. washed it off after 30 mins or so...
3. scrubbed the whole lip with rough steel wool, then medium, then touched it off with the fine steel wool...
4. used some turtle wax heavy duty rubbing compound...
5. and finally, i used the mother's mag polish.

the first rim came out looking great! if it didnt have any small nicks, it would look new!

Could you give me some more info on the aircraft remover stripper stuff?

[PCx188]

thanks guys! but i think i found the solution here at home...



1. brushed the whole lip with that aircraft remover stripper stuff...
2. washed it off after 30 mins or so...
3. scrubbed the whole lip with rough steel wool, then medium, then touched it off with the fine steel wool...
4. used some turtle wax heavy duty rubbing compound...
5. and finally, i used the mother's mag polish.

the first rim came out looking great! if it didnt have any small nicks, it would look new!

Could you give me some more info on the aircraft remover stripper stuff?

well the stuff is available here in the US and it just says "aircraft remover" on the can.

[PCx188]

quick update:

4 years later and the wheels still have not started to corrode again. i live in NYC which has somewhat similar weather to you guys there in the UK. once a year before the first snowfall, i just go over as much of the lip as i can with "MOTHERS ALUMINUM POLISH".

[jimGTS]

bascially a paint stripper right?
then lots of polishing?

[PCx188]

bascially a paint stripper right?
then lots of polishing?

yes it is pretty much a strong paint stripper. paint will snap, crackle and pop in a matter of seconds.

after that, smooth out the lip with really fine steel wool, well i started medium then went fine...and then buff out all the scratches with aluminum polish.

[ej2_sir]

I run 2 piece Enkei split rims and hand polished the outers. Been like this for 2 years with no corrosion. I give em a wash every week and a polish with Autosol every month. Jobs a good un.