How to clean rusty rims?

tomstractorsandtoys · Jan 5, 2017

My 4230 started leaking some fluid at the valve yesterday. Today we had the fluid pumped and the tire removed. The rim is more rusty than I like and will need wire brushed before repainting. What should I do to remove the fluid on the rim? Is just power washing enough or will the new paint soon come loose? Is there some kind of rust preventive that should be applied before primer and paint? I also have a WD45 to do the same thing to. Thanks Tom

Bob Bancroft · Jan 5, 2017

I remove the major stuff with a surface grinder and/or wire wheel. I have tried different paints, "rust reformer", etc. The best luck I have had is since I got my pressure washer. It's not steam, but close to it. The combination of pressure and heat seems to really get the salt out of the pores. It also peels grease, and will start to peel apart a fan belt. Guess how I know?!

Dean · Jan 5, 2017

The best preparation is sandblasting followed proper priming and painting.

Dean

Rons b · Jan 5, 2017

I just got dun with my rims. they had a lot of heavy thick rust that I removed with a chisel bite in and electric hammer drill. It worked better then an air chisel, then wire wheel. I then used Rust Converter. got it on Amazon. It converts the rust and stops it form reforming. then paint with an oil base paint

430WLPG · Jan 5, 2017

Needle scaler works good if you have thick rust not near as much dust as grinding HF has them

showcrop · Jan 5, 2017

2X what Rons b said. You are going to find a lot of very thick stuff that will wear a wire wheel right out. And you need to put the acid right to it to kill the rust. Some guys will tell you to paint with a heavy coat of rustoleum or something like bed liner, but if you don't get the rust off first you are just making a better environment for the rust.

Mike M · Jan 6, 2017

Agree !

tim s · Jan 6, 2017

New rims for around $250,,,how much time are you going to spend on them,,and how much good are you going to end up with?? I don't waste time on rusty rims...start out new and keep the calcium away from them..

Texasmark1 · Jan 6, 2017

Is that like "Naval Jelly"?

wilson ind · Jan 6, 2017

Use torch , heat scaled rust. It will pop off scale very well. Wear goggles as scale will pop wildly.

old · Jan 6, 2017

I use an angle grinder and a chipping hammer and some times an air hammer. When done I then spray it with pickup truck bed liner spray that way I know it will be there a logn time plus makes a good thick coating to protect the tube

El Toro · Jan 6, 2017

They had a wheel abrator where I worked that used lead pellets that removed paint and rust. Hal

rustred · Jan 8, 2017

sandblast,if you have metal left... prime, paint,and done.
there is some sort of stuff to apply for rust after sandblasting also.

How to clean rusty rims?

tomstractorsandtoys

Well-known Member

Bob Bancroft

Well-known Member

Dean

Well-known Member

Rons b

Member

430WLPG

Member

showcrop

Well-known Member

Mike M

Well-known Member

tim s

Well-known Member

Texasmark1

Well-known Member

wilson ind

Well-known Member

old

Well-known Member

El Toro

Well-known Member

rustred

Well-known Member

Similar threads