Oxidized Aluminum Wheels

Upstater

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Mar 10, 2017
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Upstate SC
Any suggestions for removing oxidation from aluminum rims? I don't think I want to sand blast them. New tires just installed.
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Canyons are clear coated so you will need to remove it and get down to bare aluminium. There are youtube vids on how to do it but most paint/stain strippers will work. That oxidation is pretty bad. Have you considered painting or powder coating?
 
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I removed the clear coat with Aircraft remover. That was a pain. I hadn't considered painting

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If you've got the clear off, good, old fashioned elbow grease and some wet / dry sandpaper will get the pitting out. Follow up with some metal polish like Chris posted. I've done it before to a couple of sets of wheels...Its not fun, takes a long time, but the results are great.
 
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Lol. Used this on brass in the Army in 1972.

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It works really well for it's intended purpose.

That stuff on your wheels is bad though, I think I would try a buffer with some fine grit sand paper and aggressive aluminum polish.
 
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Just remembered I have a photo set of when I repaired the wheels on my boat trailer...Its a good refresher, as my Moab's need this treatment too! This is the before. My trailer has 4, one I had to replace, the other 3 looked like this.

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I used aircraft stripper as well...

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After the stripper has done its thing...

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A close up of the pitting that needs removal.

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Next pic is after scrubbing. I used a scotch brite pad, as I didn't care to get every little nick and dig out. Get a spray bottle and mix a couple drops of dish soap in to help with lubrication.
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Finally my polishing steps. Cheap polishing kit from home depot that mounts in my drill and a mother's powerball to finish.


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The products...
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I've done several wheels for my Jeeps and trailers. For ones that are going to be painted I generally sandblast them but if you don't have the equipment 3M Scotch Brite paint and rust remover sanding discs are very good.
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Really wish I had saw this thread before I attempted to strip 5 aluminum wheels of their clear coat using a plastic spudger and brake cleaner. Wish I had remember aircraft stripper was a thing. Oh well hahaha