Stripping rust from steel wheels

[joem83]

I have recently bought some spare wheels for my golf plus, mainly for the tyres but the bonus is the 16" steels that came with them will fit & I can put my winter tyres on them.
The problem I have is the wheels have been sat outside and gone fairly rusty, any ideas on the best way of stripping them back ready to take some fresh satin black?
Tyres are off while I do it.

I found these:
www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/100mm-dia-heavy-duty-aluminium-oxide-rust-re?da=1&TC=SRC-rust

www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/115mm-dia-heavy-duty-aluminium-oxide-rust-re?da=1&TC=SRC-rust

Ta
Joe

[Stu_B]

That'll do it but could be awkward to get in to gaps. I'd use a twisted knotwheel on a grinder.

www.toolstation.com/shop/Power+Tool+Accessories/Wire+Abrasives/Twist+Knot+Wheel+100mm/d80/sd1920/p21989

[composimmonite]

I've got 5 Suzuki Grand Vitara 16" wheels for my Mahindra that are also rusty on the rear. Local firm quoted £100 to blast them and powder coat in whatever colour I wanted.
Having a pert little bottom (tight 4rse / part Jewish) I looked at alternatives and have bought a large tub from DIY store that is big enough to take a wheel for under £10. Plan now is to roughly clean up with wire brush in angle grinder, paintstrip and then clean remains of rust via electrolysis.

Paul H

[taurus]

As Stu_B for me. I've just done my Viva ones using a twisted knotbrush in an angle grinder idea. It worked fine (apart from my old angle grinder seizing up its gearing half way through which made me jump about a bit.)

Gave them a couple of coats of Dinitrol Converust and painted them up. Came out fine.

[colnerov]

Hi, as Paul says but just getting them blasted and then you painting them might be cheaper. Electrolysis is the way to go far cheaper and most effective. Rotary wire brushes tend to polish the rust and not remove it.

Colin

[joem83]

I'm looking at super low cost options as I already have the paint knocking about lol.

I thought about the knot wheel, but have seen/heard bad things about them when they break.
I'm not a massive fan of the angle grinder at the best of times as it's one of the only tools that scares me (I can be a bit accident prone) lol.

Blasting and powder coating would be great, but I could probably get another set of alloys that don't need any work for less.

[taurus]

So long as you use a decent quality knotwheel they're fine. They throw the occasional strand, but the trick is to wear proper overalls and a face mask.

[93fxdl]

Twist knot in angry grinder, gloves and eye protection, then let youngest son loose,

Four 16 inch wheels from a trooper cleaned and painted, Plus learning experience and father/son time
Ttfn Glenn

[grumpy]

If you go for the wire wheel get a version like one of these
www.google.co.uk/search?q=wire+cup+brush+angle+grinder&oq=wire+cup+&aqs=chrome.3.69i57j0l5.6584j0j8&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8

[taurus]

May 12, 2014 16:36:42 GMT grumpy said:

If you go for the wire wheel get a version like one of these
www.google.co.uk/search?q=wire+cup+brush+angle+grinder&oq=wire+cup+&aqs=chrome.3.69i57j0l5.6584j0j8&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=93&ie=UTF-8

Seconded. I use that type from Machine Mart (my angle grinder spins a bit faster than the max rated speed for them but doesn't seem to cause any issues ---- so far!)

[joem83]

Thanks for all in input guys, managed to get some pics so you can see how "good" they are lol.

[93fxdl]

Also when cleaning, wear a dust mask, for a quick job, hand wire brush followed by one of the, paints over rust finishes, or keep the patina types happy, and run as they are
Ttfn Glenn

[willowandmikey]

I've personally used a wire brush attached to a drill and that works well

[welshpug]

They don't look bad at all, I think I'd go for the electrolysis treatment first to shift the first layer of crud, then give them a going with the wire wheel.

As mentioned, wire wheels can just polish the rust so you do need to loosen it off before trying to shift it.