Rust Converter on Wheels (1 Viewer)

[rjs78]

Here's the scenario - I'm on a strict budget to tinker with my 60. I bought 5 old 15x8 wagon wheels, had the inner and outer faces stripped and blasted (lots of rust deep enough for surface pitting), now primed and I'll put on rattle-can duplicolor wheel paint and clear coat. The inside of the wheels, the "inside the mounted tire" inside, still has the old paint - the guy who stripped them is a restoration buddy, and he thinks there were two sets of epoxy paint on the wheels. The insides are mostly good shape, no major rust areas like the outside had (probably from sitting under pine trees for 20+ years).

Here's my question - there is a lot of surface rust (nothing deep) along the bead lines on the wheel insides. Is it worth the trouble to put rust converter (like Permatex rust treatment) along that bead line just to prevent further rust? Or since those bead lines will soon be tightly covered and sealed with tire beads, is there no benefit to be gained (these aren't exactly Pebble Beach Concours-grade or Smithsonian-artifact wheels)? Or is it even possible that there is a negative, like incorrect "adhesion" between the tire rubber and the treated surface? Or maybe some kind of chemical reaction with the rubber (although isn't dried rust converter/converted rust an inert coating)?

Thanks, RJ

 

[Honest Don]

whenever I mount tires, I usually hit the bead mounting area with a wire wheel. After doing that, I haven't had a rim leak since.

 

[skidplate]

I picked up a set of rusty steelies about 3years ago. I wire wheeled, sanded,and then sprayed them Rustoleum rust converter. I then just rattle canned them with Rustoleum Smoke Gray. They still look good.

 

[marius]

Use this three on most stuff I put on my truck

 

[rjs78]

Thanks everyone! I had used the brush-on NAPA rust converter, seems to have treated all the rust areas and formed a hard "poly clear coat" type of surface. Do y'all think there is any value in scuffing up (sand paper, wire brush, or wire wheel) this surface at the bead area, for better friction between the tire bead and rim, or leave it smooth for sealing.

 

[rjs78]

BTW, I've been really happy with the paint I used. DupliColor High Performance Wheel Coating. I was just careful to avoid runs, otherwise I'm skill-less at spray painting, and with three color coats, the finish looks great. I want to follow up with their clear coat from the same line, just too much work and family been going on.

I used a dark metaillic gray called Graphite, part HWP102. I saw white and black colors on the shelf, as well as the clear coat. They may have others.

Thanks, RJ