Removing Rust from Wheels

[daffneyshasta]

So my wheels have rust - quite a bit of rust. I started to wire brush them (both by hand and also wire brush attachments for a drill). And that removed quite a bit of rust.

BUT

There is rust on the lip of the wheel. What would be the best bet for removing the rust? I can't use the wire brush, because I don't want to damage the tire.

I have a feeling y'awl are going to say, remove the tires, continue my wire brushing and possibly use some type of coating, like KBS 3 step system until the rust is gone, or completely covered up with no chance of return.

Here's the thing - I don't want to take them somewhere and have them sand-blasted if I don't have to. I'd rather do it myself with some time, sweat and inexpensive supplies.

The 3 step system I think is necessary because there are some areas that have some real stubborn rust and have started to pit the wheel itself. I don't want these areas of rust to "grow" back after I've painted them pretty red.

Am I missing any other DIY option?

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[daffneyshasta]

Picture after my first session of hard work

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[universalexports]

you could let the air out of the tire, then run a small rope around the lip between the wheel and the tire, then wrap the rope around a piece of wood or a screwdriver, and twist it tight to get enough leverage to pull the wrope under the tire a bit,
this should separate them enough to get a wire brush in there.

if you separate them to much you will break the seal between the tire and wheel, and you will need a moderately powered air compressor to pop it back on. not a big issue at all if you have done a couple of them.

they also sell paint that converts rust to metal, a base coat of that, then a good paint job any you would be set, if the rust cant get air/moisture it cant continue to rust.

[61shastacompact]

My rims were in FAR worse shape than yours. See pic below. I wire brushed as you are doing (I did remove the tires since I was going to replace them) then primered with Rustoleum Rusty metal primer and top coated with Rustoleum Red. My rims do have pits, but with the chrome trim rings and the hubcaps you would be hard pressed to see them.

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[daffneyshasta]

Great info guys - thanks! I did take the tire off of the one I started on - both tires it turns out have cracking in the area where they were sitting (so much for them being new last year PO said) and need to be replaced - don't want a blowout! Plus - they're only rated for like 1,500 lbs - that, I feel, is way too little.

61shastacompact - did you also wire brush and pain the interior of the wheel? My wheel has rust on the interior also, and I figure I should cover that up as well so rust can't eat it from the inside.

Here's a slightly blurry picture - couldn't figure out what the kids did to my camera, but you can see the rust.

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[universalexports]

yes, you need to remove what rust you can, clean it well, and paint it to seal the surface to keep rust from increasing.

[dbirdsong]

The best way I know is to take them to somewhere they do sand blasting. This is what I did and they turned great. ( $ 30.00 ) for both. I painted with primer and paint. They also offered powder coat paint for additional $ 30.00 each. Just be sure not to touch with hands after sandblasting- the oil in your hands will be picked up -untill painted- in the raw metal.

[dbirdsong]

The best way I know is to take them to somewhere they do sand blasting. This is what I did and they turned great. ( $ 30.00 ) for both. I painted with primer and paint. They also offered powder coat paint for additional $ 30.00 each. Just be sure not to touch with hands after sandblasting- the oil in your hands will be picked up -untill painted- in the raw metal.