Rusty wheels

[Ozzy]

How To Fix Rusty Wheels?

Does anyone have any tips on refurbishing rusty original wheels on my 84 fj60. The exterior paint is in bad shape also, oxidized and dull, but I know how to fix that. Oh, and did I mention I'd prefer the most economical way to make them look good again. Thanks for the input!

 

[jb welda]

if they arent too far gone a session with a scotch brite pad might do. if the rust has penetrated the chrome though i dont think theres much you can do aside from a rechrome job after a lot of hard work removing the corrosion. probably cheaper to just source some better rims somewhere.

one love
jah bill

 

[macneill]

You could consider powdercoating them, but I would imagine it would be a lot of sandblasting to get that chrome off.

 

[hammer1]

how DO you take care of the dull, oxidized paint?

 

[AfricanToy]

DO NOT USE scotch brite pad ! it will scratch the chrome..use steel wool with window cleaner and water. You will have to use you muscles as the rust looks to be on there good.

 

[Ozzy]

how DO you take care of the dull, oxidized paint?

The best way to get rid of the oxidized paint is a good paint job, but a cheaper option with more personal labor is to wet sand with a fine grit paper and then wax and buff it out. If there is still enough paint left on the vehicle, meaning if you can't already see primer through it, it should shine back up and look close to new, comparatively speaking. At least this is what I've heard, and haven't tried yet.

 

[cabron]

WHEELS: USE Meguiers or Mothers Never Dull. Also called wading polish. It is sold in canisters at Pep Boys etc. Silver and black can. It is like a giant cotton ball inside. Just pull off a piece and rub onto CLEAN rims. If something gets caught in the cotton, pull off another piece or risk scratchinhg thr finish all up. Wait til it hazes and buff off with a clean towel. It will take surface rust off, not deep rust mind you. It polishes out real shiny, even old rims like ours. Mine look like a million bucks now. I could do my hair in them. Try it and see if you arent alot happier with the way your rims look.

 

[ranger]

Chrome? Chrome belongs on heeps, get rid of it!

 

[Cruisin'Carolina]

I used chrome polish and a "soft" brass brush...

Oxidized paint? 3 stage Meguire's....takes a lot of time and elbow grease, will look like new.

NOTHING beats Toyota's original paint, IMO

 

[FJ60-Hokie]

What about the rust that sticks around where the spoke part of the wheel is welded to the outer part. That part just won't come clean for me.

What do you do to keep it from coming back?

 

[PAFJ]

Is it possible to sandblast the chrome off?

 

[vvilco]

I kinda like the rust look

 

[Texx]

I use an acid compound (liquid) called "aluminum brightener". It'll take the rust right off if you have a steam cleaner. Industrial stuff, will take your hide off, and for God's sake, don't get it in a cut!

 

[Ozzy]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I went with the Never Dull by Eagle One and it worked a little. The shine is amazing where there was just surface rust, but it doesn't touch the deep stuff. Cabron was right about that. Also check out my new post on before and after, rubbing compound and wax.

 

[toyman317]

The never dull would work great on small rust pits. For the larger rusty areas how about using a rust converter that would at least stop the rust and turn it to black. Then would there be some kind of chrome touch up paint for those areas?