How To Remove Rust From Car Rims
Your car's rims are a huge part of your vehicle's aesthetic appeal, but like all metal parts of your vehicle, they are susceptible to rust and corrosion over time due to weather and water exposure. Rust is a little more than an aesthetic issue: over time, it can eat away at sizeable portions of your car's rims and leave them permanently damaged. Thankfully, you can make an effort to remove rust from your car's rims to preserve their structural integrity.
What You'll Need
Before you get started removing rust from your car rims, you should gather all of the things that you'll be using to expedite the removal process. You'll need a lint-free rag, a bucket, dish soap, a stiff brush, both medium and fine grade steel wool, and rust sealant. All of these items can be found at most automotive and grocery stores if you don't already own them.
Removing Rust From Rims
Firstly, you should clean the rim that you are working on to remove any dirt or grime that may conceal the rust that you are trying to remove. Use the brush and a mixture of warm soapy water to scrub away at the entirety of the rim.
Note all of the places that rust appears on the rim, no matter how small. Rust spreads rapidly, so you'll want to remove all traces the first time so you won't need to repeat the process in a few months.
Then, simply use the medium grade steel wool to rub away at the rusted areas in question, taking care to not use too much force, as you do not want to begin to damage the non-rusted section of your rims. Periodically use the rag to wipe away at the section you are working on to keep close track of your progress.
Once the majority of the rust has been removed, switch to the fine steel wool to get a cleaner finish with less risk of damaging the rim. Once all of the rust has been removed, you can then apply the rust sealant according to the directions on the package. Usually, this simply involves using a paintbrush to apply it to the area in question, but some sealants can be sprayed on directly.
Repeat this process as needed for all of your car rims to remove all traces of rust and to ensure that your rims stay in good working order for as long as possible.
Contact an auto body repair shop for more information.
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