Treating corrosion on different types of wheels: cast, forged and stamped

After long-term use, most car parts deteriorate, and wheels are no exception. Thus, under the influence of temperature changes, they can become dull; due to constantly flying road dust, sand and stones, old dirt eats into the surface of the product. And the most unpleasant thing that awaits the car owner is rust that forms on stamped products after scratches appear on them and the paint layer is damaged, which causes corrosion, which leads to weakening and even destruction of the wheel. That's why today many auto repair shops offer wheel cleaning services.

What kind of sandpaper should I use to clean the rims?

First, take No. 60 sandpaper and try to clean the disc, striving for maximum smoothness. Then take sandpaper No. 240, lightly wet it and give the disc surface a perfect smoothness.

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How to clean rims from rust and plaque yourself

In order to restore a heavily soiled wheel rim, the car owner needs to purchase consumables, some cheap tools and perform a certain algorithm, after which his wheels will shine as if they had just been purchased, in particular:

• For deep cleaning, the owner will need to dismantle all the wheels, because otherwise it will be impossible to achieve the desired result.
• Take a sponge, moisten it in clean water and remove all surface dirt from the product.
• All stubborn dirt can be removed using a toothbrush with stiff bristles or sandpaper pre-soaked in water with the finest abrasive.
• After long-term use, dust from the friction material of the brake pads remains on the disc, which will require citric acid or a special cleaner to remove. Thus, such compositions, as a rule, have their own indicators and, in contact with dirt, acquire a pink tint under the influence of a chemical reaction.
• An acid or vehicle rim cleaner is applied to the surface of the wheel and left in this form for 3-5 minutes for a successful reaction, after which it is washed off from its surface, and if the dirt is not completely removed, the procedure is repeated.
• If greasy stains remain on the surface of the wheel, the owner will have to apply a small amount of apple cider vinegar, after which the dirt should be guaranteed to disappear.
• After finishing treating the disc with various compounds, the wheel must be rinsed generously with water and wiped dry with a soft, clean cloth. Many craftsmen often advise doing this using rubber cloth or microfiber.
• The last thing that is required to successfully complete the procedure is to apply a protective coating to the product in the form of liquid wax, polish, varnish and other substances available in car dealerships.

You may be interested in: Parameters and characteristics of wheels on BMW (BMW)

Turtle Wax Cleaner

Important!

When working with acids, extreme caution should be exercised, diluting them until a concentration that is not dangerous for the paintwork is achieved. An acid that is too active can easily damage all pigments and varnishes, as it will simply dissolve them.

Alternative Corrosion Control Methods

There are other ways to remove rust from car wheels. So, you can use a homemade device, as shown in the video:

This method will be effective only for small lesions and will be an excellent temporary replacement for full-fledged painting of the discs.

However, no one can cope with protecting metal from corrosion better than professionals. The car service not only has all the necessary equipment and materials, but also experienced specialists who can provide high-quality and long-term rust protection for all types of discs.

Thus, the most reliable method (especially for stamped discs) will be powder painting, which requires special equipment that is too expensive for home use.

Here is an example of wheels affected by rust before painting:

Hub like a lathe

There is a method that allows you to quickly paint the rim:

1. Let's say there is rust on the surface of the rim. To find out about this, you will have to disassemble the disk (Fig. 1);
2. Next, the disk is mounted on the hub, the engine is started and the gear is engaged (Fig. 2);
3. If you are using a left-hand hub, turn the steering wheel to the left, and vice versa;
4. Using cloth-based sandpaper, sanding is carried out (Fig. 3). It is better to fix the sandpaper on a block;
5. Just as “preparation” was done in step 4, painting can be done (Fig. 4).

Selection of materials, tips

Typically, acrylic paint, glossy or matte, is used to paint metal. The primer for this paint is also acrylic (universal). There are also nitro paints. All of the above materials are packaged in an aerosol. But, as is easy to understand, not every primer is suitable for nitro enamels. Be aware that nitrogen based primers and paints are prohibited for use in most countries.

Here are some tips that are known even to beginners:

1. The higher the air temperature, the faster drying occurs;
2. The color of the primer should approximately match the color of the paint;
3. The aerosol must be shaken before use. The packaging temperature, moreover, should not be lower than 25 degrees. This advice applies to any aerosol: with paint, primer or varnish.

It was said how to paint stamped wheels if you know that the work will be done with your own hands. And therefore, such an option as using powder paints was not considered. Good luck.

According to reviews, 4 discs require: 2 cans of dye (450 ml), one can of primer (450 ml), one can of varnish.

Kinds

Production technology is a relevant classification criterion. In this case we are talking about steel and alloy wheels.

Steel wheels are the simplest and most common. They are installed on all budget versions of cars directly at the factory. They are made by stamping a steel sheet, the elements are connected to each other using a welding machine.

Main advantages: low price, easy to restore after damage, do not deform or burst upon impact. Disadvantages: heavy weight, lack of sophistication, simple appearance. Low corrosion resistance leads to rust on the wheels. Compared to other options, steel ones provide worse handling, driving dynamics and comfort.

Light alloys are made from aluminum or magnesium. Two main production methods are used:

• casting;
• forging.

In terms of performance, any of the light alloy wheels is better than steel. In this case, the most reliable is the forged magnesium disk, which is very durable and lightweight.

Painting process

So we got to the most important thing. Let's look at how to properly paint stamped wheels so that you don't have to redo everything from scratch later. In principle, there is nothing complicated in this process:

Applying paint to the rim

Of course, not everyone has a spray gun, nor does everyone have special equipment. Therefore, an upside down bucket, unnecessary tires, etc. will help again. The main thing is to be smart, as the author of this photo did:

Homemade equipment for disks

Also, it is advisable to follow these tips:

• When using an aerosol, the can must be shaken periodically;
• The temperature of the aerosol package should not be too low: 30-35 degrees is the norm;
• Keep the aerosol at a distance of 20 cm from the surface (no less);
• When painting, you should not stay in one place for a long time, otherwise streaks will form.

The paint is applied in two or three layers, maintaining an interval of 10 minutes. An hour after painting, the surface is treated with varnish. You can use the finished product within a day. But it’s better to wait 60-80 hours – during this time the varnish gains maximum strength.

Electrochemical method

Necessary equipment and chemicals:

• DC source 12 - 36 V and up to 1 A. You can take a power supply from a computer or a car battery.
• Soda Ash. The approximate concentration for dilution is a teaspoon per liter of water.
• A plastic container that will hold the part to be cleaned.
• A piece of stainless steel. You can get cat dishes from a pet store.
• Connecting wires, clamps. It is advisable to include a current regulator in the circuit so as not to overload the power source.

• Dissolve soda ash in the required amount of water. For better dissolution, heat the water.
• Place the part to be cleaned in a container, connecting it using a clamp and wire to the “+” terminal of the power source.
• Place a stainless steel object connected to the “–” terminal of the source in the same container. The parts in the container should not touch each other.
• Pour the soda solution into the container so that it completely covers the damaged part.
• Turn on the power source and make sure that the process begins: foam will appear, and air bubbles will escape from the rusted part.
• Make sure that the corrosion layer is separated from the surface and goes into the solution, which becomes dirty brown.
• Wait a few hours to ensure the part is completely cleaned. The time depends on the degree of corrosion of the part.

In terms of cleaning power and quality, this method is not inferior to sandblasting. But with it, oxides are removed without damaging surfaces.

Wheel operation

Wheels made from different materials must also be used differently.

Operation of steel (stamped) disks

Such discs are the cheapest, and therefore the most fragile. In addition, they are also noticeably heavier than others. A noticeable advantage of steel wheels is their softness. This means that when the car moves over potholes and uneven surfaces, the discs absorb some of the impacts and thereby absorb the impacts. And dirt and snow that stick well to steel wheels impair the car's handling. That is why steel wheels require the most and early care.

Operation of light alloy (cast) wheels

Alloy wheels are lighter than steel wheels, they become less dirty, and the cleaning process is greatly simplified by powder coating and varnishing. At the same time, cast wheels are superior in hardness to steel ones, but this also means that there is a more “hard” transfer of shocks and loads from the wheels to other elements of the vehicle’s suspension. Alloy wheels are also more beautiful than steel ones: they do not require the installation of plastic decorative caps on top.

Operation of forged ultra-light (forged) wheels

Forged wheels are the lightest, strongest, and stiffest wheel structure available for automobiles. Of course, the set of specified characteristics is reflected in the extremely expensive price. But purchasing and installing forged wheels will allow you and your car to increase speed performance with reduced fuel consumption, as well as operate the car in extreme conditions with the greatest degree of safety.

Step-by-step cleaning instructions

If you are doing a general wash, water pressure can be used to clean the lower part of the car from dirt and deposits. But at the same time, the remains of brake dust, tar and tar from the road will not be washed away even under very strong water pressure.

The first stage is cleaning the dirt, it is better to do this with water pressure using a special nozzle or simply by clamping the end of the hose.

A special cleaning agent must be applied to the disc, cleaned of dirt and large debris. Pay special attention to hard-to-reach places. Leave the solution for at least 3 minutes to make it easier to remove remaining dirt.

Using a car cleaning brush, brush the surface without scratching it. Try to cover all elements, including hard-to-reach ones. You can use an old toothbrush to get into all the corners.

Rinse the disc, check that there is no dried product and wipe the surface with a cloth. Using sealants you can add shine and create an additional protective layer.

Vinegar and warm water

A popular remedy is vinegar. This is a powerful solution that allows you to wash away various deposits. This is a solution of natural acids that can act on plaque, rust, other deposits, and dirt. To create a cleaning solution, you need to dilute vinegar in hot water. For wheels that are not very dirty, this is an ideal solution. It should not be used to clean polished alloys as the acid has an adverse effect.

Kitchen cleaning products have proven themselves to be quite good. For example, oven cleaner is more effective than vinegar - it easily removes grease deposits, stains and corrosion. But there is a chance of damaging the coating and paint, because the ingredients in household aerosols are quite aggressive. There is also a risk of damaging the rubber; it may become porous.

Powdered kitchen cleaners can also remove plaque and dirt. In this case, there is a risk of getting a scratch on the metal surface, since the powder consists of large abrasive substances.

All stages of preparation

It is clear that it is best to clean the disc “to the metal” before painting. In this case, only sandpaper (ISO P400-P1500) and, perhaps, a drill with a metal brush are used.

This is how you remove a layer of old paint

The problem is that such cleaning will take more than one day. But the result will please you with its appearance:

Fully cleaned steel disc

In order not to waste time, the surface is only cleaned of rust, then sanded and degreased. The “old paint” remains. This option is also considered acceptable. Let us list the stages of preparation “step by step”:

1. Thoroughly rinse the disc with water. To simplify the task, use a brush;
2. Mechanical rust removal;
3. If necessary, you can use a rust converter: apply the product, leave it for 2 hours, then grind the surface and clean it. You cannot use water!
4. Degreasing (white spirit or solvent 646 is suitable);
5. Applying putty if the wheel has obvious defects.
6. Apply two layers of primer with an interval of 20 minutes.

The last step is to use a universal acrylic primer. These products are sold in aerosol packaging.

Note that phosphoric acid can act as a rust converter. And if the finishing layer is applied, it takes a day to dry the soil.

It is important to know: once a mark has been made on the metal with sandpaper, water should not touch the surface in principle. Use organic solvents for cleaning.

The priming itself is a dress rehearsal for the painting process. To simplify these “processes”, the disk can be installed on an inverted bucket. The rim is then painted by turning the disc with the desired side facing you. As you can see, everything is simple.

You may have to work with sandpaper after applying the primer. Sanding with P1500 sandpaper is carried out before painting, which is mandatory.

Storage

Here's how to properly store tires. Click on photo to enlarge.

Car rims can be stored separately from tires, or together with tires.

The assembled system simplifies the storage process and seasonal wheel changes.

You should also know that it is better to store tires without disks in a vertical position, periodically changing their fulcrum point, and the assembled system should be stored in a horizontal position (can be on top of each other, but the tire pressure should not be higher than 1 atm).

Wheels should be kept clean. Before storage, they can also be coated with a preservative lubricant or composition.

The best place to store tires and wheels is a room protected from sunlight, preferably with an air temperature ranging from -30 to +30 degrees and a humidity of 50-80%.