How to remove corrosion from aluminum wheels?
It is important to maintain the aluminum wheels of your car to avoid corrosion. It is important to use the right procedure when removing corrosion from your Jeep’s wheels. The time required to remove corrosive material from the rims will depend on the condition and type of corrosion. How can you fix bad wheels by removing corrosive substances? What are the materials required? Do you need to bring your car to a mechanic or can you do it yourself? Read on if you want to find answers to these questions.
Simple accessories can be used to clean corrosive wheels at home. This guide explains the entire procedure for cleaning wheels correctly. Although the process is easy, you should understand the basics of wheel maintenance and corrosion to avoid expensive repairs later. The metal pitting on the aluminum wheel’s surface and the grit on the surface are signs of corrosive material. You can identify corrosive wheels by their white color and roughness. The corrosive substance keeps accumulating on the metallic surface of the wheel over time. You should be careful when removing the corrosive matter because it can stain the aluminum. Also, be sure to clean your tires as dirt can promote corrosive actions. It is easy to remove corrosive material from your wheels. To get squeaky wheels and clean them up quickly, follow the steps below.
Clean the Wheel Surface
To remove the corrosive substance, you should first spray your tires with water. Use a liquid soap, such as dishwashing detergent, to coat the surface of the wheels. Allow the liquid to remain on the wheel surface for 5 minutes, and then wash the wheels with a powerful stream of water using the hose. To dry the wheels, you must use a piece of soft fabric like cotton or Terry. When you start the washing process, you will see the first layer of dirt and dust. The majority of the corrosive material is actually hidden under the grime. Use Elbow Grease while washing your wheels. This helps remove the top layer of corrosion and allows you to see the actual corrosion.
Use a washing detergent to clean the surface
Painter’s tape and plastic sheets will be needed to cover painted areas of your car. It will keep your other vehicle parts safe while you remove the dirt. Spray your wheels with a high-quality electronic cleaner, such as oven cleaner. Use a Teflon brush or a dishwashing scrub to thoroughly clean the wheels. Be sure to scrub and clean any dirt spots. Then, using a strong stream of water coming from your hose, wash away the cleaner and dry the surface quickly with a cotton cloth or terry towel. Elbow grease can be used to remove dusty areas and then wash with water. You may need to repeat this process depending on the amount and type of corrosion on your aluminum wheels. Most types of corrosion can be removed with a single washing process. After you have removed all the corrosive material, polish your wheels using a good brand of aluminum brightener. Search online or ask an auto parts dealer for the best polisher. After using the brightener, use a car polish to clean your wheels. Continue to the next step if you see traces of white.
Look Out For Pitting
After polishing aluminum wheels, check for pitted areas on the surface. These are caused by corrosion. To sand these areas, grab a 400 grit sandpaper. This can be done manually using a small sanding disc mounted on a drill. This is the only way to fix most pitting. You can sandpaper the small pitted areas by hand. You will need to use the sanding wheels for larger areas. If you want to fix a pit in the surface, you should not use too much force and sand it with a slow hand movement. To avoid gouging deep into the surface, keep your wheel spinning. You will see the surface of the aluminum become brighter and free of any corrosive material after you have finished sanding.
Stop further oxidation
Sanding your wheels properly should remove all corrosion and enhance their shine. The polishing process should remove any remaining corrosion, leaving a polished and shiny surface. To avoid an odd appearance, ensure that the wheels are sanded to a uniform brightness. Then, wash the surface with water. Use a high-quality aluminum brightener to polish the wheels. This can be purchased from Amazon or a local auto parts store. To prevent oxidation, apply a thin coat of car wax on the wheels. Keep your wheels clean to avoid any oxygen exposure.