Rusting Chrome Alloys Wheels

[RiccardoTJ]

Hi All, I’ve got a 1997 TJ, it is pretty stock but I’ve got a set of split chrome alloys and they’re constantly rusting. I’ve cleaned them using soap, white vinegar etc but 2 weeks later they’re rusted again. Some are long term rust patches, but the rest seem like steaks.

I’ve spoken to several alloy refurbishment companies whom have all said they wouldn’t go any where near chrome wheels, due to the temperature they have to get them to.

I didn’t want to change to the look of it too much, but feel I may have to either paint them black or change them entirely.

Any recommendations or suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Location: Sevenoaks, Kent, U.K

 

[Vtx531]

Those aren’t alloys - they are chromed steel rims. That’s just how they are and that’s why hardly anyone runs those type of rims. They are really only suitable for a show vehicle that doesn’t see any time outside in weather.

I would suggest getting polished aluminum or clear coat machined aluminum if you like the shine but they won’t have the same D-window design.

Polished aluminum- you have to maintain them by polishing regularly.

Clearcoat machined aluminum - no maintenance required but clearcoat tends not to stick very well and will bubble and turn gray underneath.

Most vehicle manufacturers are going with silver sparkle metallic painted aluminum. I think the purpose is a combination of low maintenance and the finish tends to last longer.

 

[RiccardoTJ]

Those aren’t alloys - they are chromed steel rims. That’s just how they are and that’s why hardly anyone runs those type of rims.

I would suggest getting polished aluminum or clear coat machined aluminum if you like the shine but they won’t have the same D-window design.

Thanks for the reply. And there is my first of many lessons in "know your s**t". Appreciate the advice, I'm not too concerned with the D-window just keen to keep the shine. I'll get browsing for new wheels now.

 

[Vtx531]

Edited my first post for more info^^

 

[RiccardoTJ]

Appreciate the advice

 

[Rubicon88]

Scratch the shit out of them with a rice cake and paint them.

You'll never get them blemish free from this point on. I mean somebody could but christ you'd have more money in them than new ones.

 

[Rubicon88]

Moreover it's a bad design with fake bead lock. Water and road debris lay on that ledge when parked then runs down and sits on next ledge.

 

[Fishtaco]

I used to live across the water from you in Southend

Chrome steel wheels used to be a big thing in Australia but now you only ever see them on show cars.
Alloys tarnish and pit. Get some "AutoSol", I have used it on my Triumphs alloy and chrome for years but you need a lot of elbow grease a toothbrush and a roll of muslin polishing cloth.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...385F58EF903A6CA021E9385F58EF903A6&FORM=VDQVAP

 

[TheBoogieman]

Go with some polished aluminum wheels and shine them up.

 

[01TJ-Blues]

If you can’t afford to replace them I suggest taking them to a powder coater and have the sand blasted then powder coated.

 

[RiccardoTJ]

Moreover it's a bad design with fake bead lock. Water and road debris lay on that ledge when parked then runs down and sits on next ledge.

Yeah that’s exactly what happens and it’s almost past the point of cleaning them up, I’d rather replace them as mentioned for polished aluminium

thanks for the help though

 

[RiccardoTJ]

Go with some polished aluminum wheels and shine them up. View attachment 227873View attachment 227875

Definitely going to shop around for a set. Thanks, these look great

 

[RiccardoTJ]

I used to live across the water from you in Southend

Chrome steel wheels used to be a big thing in Australia but now you only ever see them on show cars.
Alloys tarnish and pit. Get some "AutoSol", I have used it on my Triumphs alloy and chrome for years but you need a lot of elbow grease a toothbrush and a roll of muslin polishing cloth.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...385F58EF903A6CA021E9385F58EF903A6&FORM=VDQVAP

 

[RiccardoTJ]

I used to live across the water from you in Southend

Chrome steel wheels used to be a big thing in Australia but now you only ever see them on show cars.
Alloys tarnish and pit. Get some "AutoSol", I have used it on my Triumphs alloy and chrome for years but you need a lot of elbow grease a toothbrush and a roll of muslin polishing cloth.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...385F58EF903A6CA021E9385F58EF903A6&FORM=VDQVAP

Close enough... when did you move out to Aus?

I’ve tried so many variants of cleaning but it keeps rusting over, so I’m going to replace them with alternatives I.e polished aluminium which has been recommend on here.

do you know any good suppliers in the Uk?

 

[RiccardoTJ]

If you can’t afford to replace them I suggest taking them to a powder coater and have the sand blasted then powder coated.

I spoke to a few refurbishers in the UK and they said they can’t get them hot enough to paint... I’m just going to replace, do you know any good suppliers?

 

[01TJ-Blues]

Odd. I’ve had several sets powder coated so not sure what they are thinking. I’d just replace them with someone like Pro Comp, they are steel but reasonably priced usually.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

If you can’t afford to replace them I suggest taking them to a powder coater and have the sand blasted then powder coated.

It'd cost as much to powder coat them as it would to buy inexpensive aluminum wheels like from American Racing. I asked one of my customers about having my CO2 tank powder coated years ago and I about fell over when he quoted somewhere close to $200.

 

[Fishtaco]

Close enough... when did you move out to Aus?

I’ve tried so many variants of cleaning but it keeps rusting over, so I’m going to replace them with alternatives I.e polished aluminium which has been recommend on here.

do you know any good suppliers in the Uk?

1981 but have been back a few times for a year or so lived in Westcliffe.

https://www.autovillage.co.uk/car-parts/part/wheels-and-tyres/area/south-east/kent

 

[01TJ-Blues]

It'd cost as much to powder coat them as it would to buy inexpensive aluminum wheels like from American Racing. I asked one of my customers about having my CO2 tank powder coated years ago and I about fell over when he quoted somewhere close to $200.

Sounds like your guy is expensive. I’ve had aluminum and steel done and they charged me $25 a wheel and they’ve lasted beautifully for years.