how to get this crap off!?

[mrdivito]

Ive been trying everything to get this rust or whatever it is off. does anyone have an idea on how to? ive read to use some time of wheel acid, but not sure who makes it or what else to use with it. its only on the outside of the rim, nowhere else. thanks in advanced.

[Mile30]

A good quality "wheel acid" like dealer supplied works best in my experience. But a premium "wheel brightener" available in Wal-Mart or an auto parts store work well also. A stiff wheel-only brush is advisable as well. What I've had to do in extreme cases is use a scrubby/sponge that's not brand new. The abrasive side can be great for really grabbing that crap as you scuff past it!

·wash wheels and do a decent job; perform step two before the wheels dry
·set sprayer to mist and apply liberally to the area your working (one wheel at a time!), and a mask may help!
·use the wheel brush after to get as much off that lip as you can before things have to get real.
·spray the lip again, and lightly scrub a small area to see what effect it has if you use too new a scrubby it WILL scuff the clear
with a nice broken-in scrubby you can really lean on it, but you MUST keep the surface constantly lubricated with either a few more sprays of product or water!

Never do this on dry wheels, or older sets which may have questionable clear finish left on them!

[old1030]

Fine brass wool always worked for me.

[mrdivito]

mile30, what is the stuff used from the dealer and the pad? im looking for some name brand stuff that i can buy, i have all 4 wheels to do so i'm sure ill be needing alot.

[elsolo]

Comet kitchen cleanser and a scotch brite dish sponge, seriously.

[S0C0nFused]

If we can assume that the rim of the wheel is aluminum, then the pictured 'pollution' to the finish is dirt/brake dust etc. captured under what remains of the clear coat. You therefore want to avoid 'scratching' the aluminum if at all possible. Clear coat is difficult to remove, so you may have to do some research, but I would think lacquer thinner or possible a thick paint stripper would soften it sufficiently to be removed without resorting to 'scrubber' pads. This will preserve the original wheel polish thus making a new clear coat application simple. Just insure that whatever you use is safe for aluminum. My 2 cents anyway! Luck!

[mrdivito]

its not brake dust/dirt, its seems to be actual rust

[Mile30]

Here's a good start to the wheel bucket/detailing supplies-in-general:

0000 Ultra Fine Steel Wool

·great for uber-easy bug washing OF THE WINDSHIELD ONLY
·polishes reust and restores shine to stainless steel and other various metals


From left to right
Clay for wax/sealant prep (last steps), semi-new scrubby sponge, porous/coarse plastic bug sponge, heavily used scrubby sponge for soft areas and plastic trims, & P21S to finish the metal and prevent rust from immediately coming back.

Power tools will save your elbows & knuckles, too!

[S0C0nFused]

Originally Posted by mrdivito

its not brake dust/dirt, its seems to be actual rust

Easy check. Will a magnet stick to the rim? Yes = Ferrous (steel). No = Aluminum.

Edit: Add: IF your wheels are steel (severe doubts), then you have more/better options to cleaning them up. I strongly suspect however that there aluminum. Aluminum rust (aluminum oxide) is the same color as aluminum. Hence, the dark areas are not aluminum or aluminum oxide. What it may be however is a stain. Aluminum is SOFT. If someone had used an abrasive prior, removing the clear and scuffing away the aluminum oxide, then as the new oxide is forming, it is available to pick up 'staining' agents. If the aluminum was gouged (micro grooves), then the staining agents can become deeply embedded. Also, are the wheels painted? Is the staining just on the paint? Figure out what the problem really is before deciding on a corrective plan is all I am recommending. Save yourself a ton of work (and grief!).

[my_beautious_ZX3]

Originally Posted by elsolo

Comet kitchen cleanser and a scotch brite dish sponge, seriously.

yep, and an even more conservative option is BonAmi + regular sponge or paper towel; doesn't scratch (and don't tell anybody, but I've used it to spot-clean chrome & glass).