Need expert advice on wire wheels
VoXGM
06-09-2010, 03:12 PM
Hi everyone,
I came here seeking advice because im having a bit of a problem. I have a set of 22 inch wire wheels that I bought from a friend. Im not sure if they are chrome or stainless steel. They were fine I bought them. Well I have driven them in the rain a few times and everything was fine. Now they are rusting where the spokes tighten. Now I keep my truck garage keept and never ride them in the rain. I need some advice on preventing them from rusting and whats the best way to get the rust off. I was using eagle 1 wire cleaner but the acid is way to rough on them. I was thinking about wd-40, iv heard this would break it up and prevent rusting. Also iv heard of waxing them, will any wax work? Thanks
And sorry if this is the wrong place for this post, im new here. Thank you
I came here seeking advice because im having a bit of a problem. I have a set of 22 inch wire wheels that I bought from a friend. Im not sure if they are chrome or stainless steel. They were fine I bought them. Well I have driven them in the rain a few times and everything was fine. Now they are rusting where the spokes tighten. Now I keep my truck garage keept and never ride them in the rain. I need some advice on preventing them from rusting and whats the best way to get the rust off. I was using eagle 1 wire cleaner but the acid is way to rough on them. I was thinking about wd-40, iv heard this would break it up and prevent rusting. Also iv heard of waxing them, will any wax work? Thanks
And sorry if this is the wrong place for this post, im new here. Thank you
MagicRat
06-10-2010, 05:13 AM
I've had this problem too, with chrome wheels. The problem lies in poor quality chrome plating.
The plating is actually slightly porous, Proper plating is actually a triple layer process with a layer of copper and a layer of nickel underneath the chrome. If these steps are missed, the chrome will rust because the porous chrome allows moisture to get to the steel underneath.
Use WD 40 to dissolve the rust, then do some hand polishing. Then clean the WD 40 off with Windex class cleaner and apply a layer of car wax. This will keep the rust off, but you may need to re-wax it periodically, (or if a dog pees on the wheels.).
The plating is actually slightly porous, Proper plating is actually a triple layer process with a layer of copper and a layer of nickel underneath the chrome. If these steps are missed, the chrome will rust because the porous chrome allows moisture to get to the steel underneath.
Use WD 40 to dissolve the rust, then do some hand polishing. Then clean the WD 40 off with Windex class cleaner and apply a layer of car wax. This will keep the rust off, but you may need to re-wax it periodically, (or if a dog pees on the wheels.).
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