How to Get Heavy Rust Off of a Car Wheel

Car wheels are made to be driven on daily through water, mud, dirt and road grime. Car wheels resist rust and corrosion, but only if they are cleaned regularly. If you leave mud or grime on the wheels for long periods of time, rust will set in. If you dont remove the rust, it will spread and continue to rot the wheel. Heavy rust is thicker than surface rust and cant be removed with wheel cleaner or rust remover. You can get heavy rust off of a car wheel using materials from an auto part store.

Instructions

1

Remove the wheels from the vehicle. It is easier to remove the rust if the tires are dismounted also. Any tire shop can dismount the tires from the wheels.

2

Sand the rusted car wheels with 320-grit sandpaper. Sand the entire surface to remove the rust and make the surface texture uniform. Sand areas with no rust the same way as you sand rusted areas. The rough sandpaper will take off the layer of heavy rust.

3

Go over the wheels again with 400-grit sandpaper. This step removes the layer of rust underneath the heavy outer flakes of rust. You should be able to see the silver color of the wheel after sanding with 400-grit sandpaper.

4

Sand the wheels again using 600-grit sandpaper and water. Keep the sandpaper wet with water while sanding the wheel. This smooths the surface and prepares it for cleaning and finishing.

5

Wipe the wheels with wheel polish and a cotton towel. Use the right type of polish for the type of metal you have. Chrome wheels will need to be re-chromed by a professional shop.