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How to remove traces of metal oxidation from alloy wheels

30.12.2019

(Votes: 2, Rating: 5)

Issues discussed in the material:

  • Why do you need to wash and clean rims?
  • What you need for quality cleaning
  • How to clean car rims without removing them from the car
  • How to clean rims from rust and paint
  • The best car chemicals for cleaning wheels
  • How else can you clean wheel rims?
  • How car enthusiasts clean rims

Not all car enthusiasts know how to clean car rims correctly. Some simply do not take care of this element of the car, believing that a regular wash is enough. Others only perform superficial cleaning without attempting to bring the discs to a shine.

In this article we will tell you in detail why you need to properly clean your wheel rims and how to do it correctly. We list special products that will help remove rust, paint or carbon deposits.

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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.



How to spray paint

To paint with this composition you need to stock up on the following items:

  • Rag for removing defects;
  • Car soap;
  • Masking tape;
  • Sandpaper number 120 or 800;
  • Solvent;
  • Primer a couple of cans;
  • Aerosol paint of the desired shade.

How does painting work?

The first step is to remove the wheels. This is necessary so as not to stain the car body. The discs are kept clean using car shampoo, sponges or rags.

Everything is optional. Sand irregularities on the surface of the disc. Remove the remains of this work. Degrease the surface of the product. Don't forget to seal the rubber base with tape. Before using the can, shake it well. And apply the composition from a distance of at least 25 cm.

After this, the work is evaluated, if there are any irregularities, they are sanded. And they carry out the painting operation again.



What are the differences between alloy wheels?

Alloy wheels come in two types - cast and forged. In terms of their qualities, the latter are slightly better, since they are lighter and stronger. Compared to steel ones, cast aluminum ones are up to 30% lighter - the final figure is influenced by the design. Modern casting technologies allow you to create any shape. The strength of such discs is lower than that of steel ones. Low ductility leads to instantaneous destruction upon a strong impact. Cast magnesium ones are lighter than aluminum ones, but their resistance to corrosion is much lower, so it is necessary to use special protective coatings and periodically clean them from plaque.

Main advantages:

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  • variety of shapes and designs;
  • low weight - accordingly, reducing the weight of the car, increasing the smoothness of the ride, improving other operational parameters of the vehicle.

Flaws:

  • fragility - upon impact, microcracks appear, which can instantly lead to splitting;
  • plaque appears - it has to be periodically cleaned and special protection used.

Forged wheels have less weight than cast wheels (up to 20%) and are better resistant to corrosion. However, they are more expensive and have less variety of forms.

Cleaning up minor defects

To remove minor defects on the paintwork, an eccentric rotary-vibrating machine with an eccentric stroke of 5-8 mm, a rigid plate (for example, with a diameter of 115 mm) and grinding wheels of P80 and P150 gradation are suitable (the first are used in the main defect area, the second - in peripheral areas ). Operating speed - up to 10,000 rpm.

Examples include a Rodcraft 7665 two-handed pneumatic machine or an electric Festool WTS 150/7, a Sia 7-hole sanding pad and siadrive siafast sanding paper (see table at the end of the article).

Professional eccentric sander Festool WTS 150/7 (eccentric stroke 7 mm)

Special SCM circles also cope effectively with the task. And not only when removing standard layers of enamels with minor defects, but also when removing thick layers of paintwork - see the next subsection.

Causes of rust formation

All elements of the car located near the surface of the earth are susceptible to corrosion. The main reason for the formation of rust is exposure to water and chemical active reagents. Roads are often treated with chemicals to counteract ice. This method is quite effective, but the reagents have a negative effect on rubber and metal surfaces, including those coated with paint.

If there are defects and damage to the metal elements of the car, rust spreads even faster. The lack of paint and other protective coatings makes the situation worse, and corrosion spreads faster.

Different types of wheels provide different protection against rust. Stamped ones are coated with paint and varnish to protect the metal from corrosion. The best option in this case is powder enamels, which adhere tightly to the metal and are less susceptible to damage. There are unpainted wheels - they are highly susceptible to water and dirt. For protection, it is necessary to periodically apply a coat of paint.

To protect cast wheels, paint and special protective materials are used. Painting of disks is carried out after all operations on its formation and processing.

Rating of the best cleaners

This rating is based on reviews, comments on forums and other discussions among car enthusiasts. The first place is the highest quality, the last place is the most ineffective. Rating of car rim cleaners:

  1. Hot Rims All Wheel. Perfectly removes any dirt, as well as old bitumen deposits. You can start scrubbing away dirt after a few seconds.
  2. Tire Cleaner. Almost as good as the rating favorite.
  3. Universal cleaner. To clean, you need to scrub for a long time with a brush, but the product is still effective and costs very little.
  4. SONAX. After two repeated attempts to clean off the bitumen stains, there was still no result.
  5. Hi-Gear. Not even effective on regular old dirt.

This rating shows that the most effective product is Hot Rims All Wheel. But it is also the most expensive. In order not to spend a lot of money, it is better to use available tools.

Reading time: 7 minutes

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.

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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.

Solvent

Another tool that is almost always available in any garage is white spirit. It is used to defrost and lubricate locks, to combat rust and to unscrew soured threaded connections. It contains a mixture of liquid aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons that have a number of positive chemical effects.

Among other things, white spirit is used to dissolve paints, enamels and varnishes. Therefore, it effectively erases traces of bitumen from alloy wheels. It's easy to use. It is enough to apply the product in stages, wait until it penetrates the stains, and then remove with a wet microfiber cloth. The main thing is not to rub the liquefied mud, but to blot it to eliminate the abrasive effect.

Popular tire models

There are several basic methods for removing old paint from disks:

  • Mechanical method. We can immediately say that removing paint with sandpaper or a metal brush is a futile task, since the discs contain various recesses, which will be quite difficult to reach. Sandblasting, which is also a mechanical method, gives a good effect, but there is a high probability of damage to the metal, and this requires special equipment.
  • Thermal method. The thermal method of cleaning paint means heating the surface of the disk using a hair dryer and, after the paint swells and becomes plastic, removing it with a spatula. It is difficult to recommend such a procedure, since the metal may deform when heated and the discs will lose their functionality.
  • Chemical method. The chemical method involves the use of special chemicals to remove old paint from disks. The composition is applied to the surface and left for a certain time, after which the softened paint is easily removed with a spatula. The advantage of the method is its effectiveness and ease of use. In addition, the metal surface is completely undamaged. Solutions are able to penetrate into the most inaccessible areas, so the issue of recesses and recesses becomes irrelevant. The chemical method is the best solution to the question of how to remove paint from alloy wheels quickly and efficiently.

Chemical products for removing paint from discs are available in several types. These can be liquids, sprays, gels or mixtures that must be diluted beforehand. They all have their advantages and some disadvantages. For example, liquid and spray penetrate well into recesses, but dry quickly and may not completely dissolve layers of paint. To avoid this, you can use a film that covers the surface. It will prevent evaporation of the product and increase its effectiveness. Gels perfectly corrode even the thickest layer of paint, but their thick structure is not always able to penetrate where needed. Therefore, when choosing products, be guided, among other things, by the shape of the surface of your disk.

The composition of modern products for removing paint from cast wheels may differ from each other, but most often they are based on acid, inhibitors, solvents, thickeners, and complexing agents. The manufacturer indicates in the instructions how to remove paint from alloy wheels and how long it will take.

Source dockermsk.ru

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.

Age-old pollution

We leave the bath soap and vinegar alone, as we have a more serious test next. We take four discs and apply one cleaner to the inside of each of them. It's very dirty there! We also wait a couple of minutes and wash off with Karcher.

When using auto chemicals, you should avoid direct sunlight on the surface to be cleaned - for some reason, manufacturers do not mention this in the instructions. In the sun, liquids dry out quickly, at best, without having time to act properly, at worst, leaving difficult-to-remove stains on the paintwork. In our case, the sun partially hit the disks - these are the places where the cleaners did the worst job.

In this test, Lesta is an outsider - the discs are only slightly cleaner than they were originally.

The result of the LAVR cleaner was a little better; only the part that was exposed to the sun remained frankly dirty.

GRASS demonstrated even higher efficiency, but it is far from ideal.

The unexpected leader is Eclipse. Yes, not everything has been washed, there are still some pretty dirty spots left, but compared to the competition, the difference is obvious.

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