[joecallaghan]

... Just put new TSW wheels on my 'reg, but they reveal rust on the hub that the old stock 19's hid! The new wheels look amazing, but I gotta do something about that ugly rust!

The guys at the wheel shop suggested spray painting the hub black, but I'm not sure how I feel about that. I think Id rather remove the rust and then see if theres a way to seal the metal...

I got an idea about how I can remove the rust, but I wanted to bounce this off you all and see what suggestions you had!

Help!

 

[Tahoe]

Wire brush, sand paper, wash, spray with clear paint or a little lithium grease. (Don't get anything, not even a speck on the rotor face)


I don't know what your wheels are made of, but read this:

"Protect The Inside, Too
When an aluminum wheel is mounted against a steel brake drum or rotor, the different compositions of the two metals often lead to electrolytic corrosion. Aluminum is the more reactive of the two, so the wheel can corrode and "weld" itself to the rotor or drum making removal very difficult. To prevent this from happening, the face of the rotor or drum (or the back face of the alloy wheel) should be painted. Another alternative is to apply a light coat of lithium, silicone or synthetic brake grease to the back of the wheel where it butts up against the rotor or drum.

Another problem that sometimes plagues alloy wheels is porosity leaks. When an alloy wheel is cast, microscopic pores and voids may be left in the metal that allows air to slowly leak out of the tire. High pressure casting techniques have reduced, but not entirely eliminated, this problem. So some alloy wheels are painted or coated on the inside to help seal the metal. If you’ve experienced this kind of problem, and your wheels are not coated or painted inside, they might need it."

 

[AZBob]

I have the same wheels and had the same problem. To tell you the truth, I don't know what happened to the rust. I didn't clean it off, nor did I paint anything. It's really not noticible anymore unless you get right up and look. I think maybe brake dust covered up the rust.

BTW: The wheels are chromed, so there's no problem with the wheels welding themselves to the hub or with leaking air.

 

[czechT698]

well, me id buy one of those scrubbing sponges and brush off the rust. than a can of some good black paint. :wave:

 

[Godwine]

Hmm, the amount of heat that will build up may cause the paint to flake...... so make sure its high temp if you do use paint

 

[czechT698]

Hmm, the amount of heat that will build up may cause the paint to flake...... so make sure its high temp if you do use paint

of course thats what i ment.... maybe caliper paint?.... :wave:

 

[MIkeS Panzer]

Be very carefull in working in that area. Clean it good with a wire brush or steel wool. Paint or coating are not advised on theses surfaces. Any softening or flacking can interfear with your clamping force, this what keeps your wheels in place. A failure will be devasting to say the least.