Any idea on how to clean this corrosion?

So my wheel caps are starting to show a little wear. I know a new set would only set me back $60, but is there any known way to clean these up? I was thinking oven cleaner, as that has worked with cleaning up corroded wheels before. Any ideas?

 

sand and re-paint time

 

Sandblast and then chrome dipped.

 

So probably easier to just buy new ones huh

 

I'd be much more concerned with the rust showing on the actual wheel, and not concerned about that hubcap.

 

"Bar keepers Friend" to remove the corrosion, then wax or some coating to protect the finish. Cheap and easy, but may have to repeated from time to time. Really works to remove rust stains from chrome!
https://www.amazon.com/Bar-Keepers-...t=&hvlocphy=1013466&hvtargid=pla-393019818151

 

Cool, didn’t ask about that.

 

Welcome to TW! Where everyone will give their unsolicited opinions on any, and everything, you didn't ask about.


In all seriousness though, I commented on that specifically because plenty of people have come through in the past not knowing those were hubcaps. Plus, your rims look rusty as hell, and that's way more important from a safety standpoint than cosmetic bling. Just trying to help. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

 

Ok, anyone else having this problem DONT do this. It stripped the chrome coloring from the wheel. BAD idea!

 

It's rust, have you just tried some good old steel wool?

 

Well you did it now, try wrapping them with aluminum foil.

 

Bar keeper friend is good stuff. I use to use it on my cookware does a good job

 

That is not rust. The finish is gone. Why does everyone insist on using non-detailing products on vehicles.

 

Yeah, I figured that when the finish started stripped away. I ordered a new set, not worth the hassle for $70.

 

i should rephrase that to why does everyone recommend products not meant for autos.

 

You can't really "clean" it.

You do have options.
1. Replace the wheels.
2. Strip the coating and paint/chrome.
3. Use steel wool or fine sandpaper to remove the rust. Wax. Plan on this exercise on a regular basis.

Looks like the coating has come off to expose the bare steel. It will rust. Its a force of nature.

 

In your original photo there is a donut of rust on the wheel; toward the hub cap there's no finish and bare metal, toward the rim there's chrome.

The "finish" was already missing from the rim around your hub cap. The hub cap is plastic chrome, clean it as you would any plastic with china shine.

 

In some respects, you can achieve great success using general household and industrial products on autos and their parts. For example, my Uncle Pete was an old school mechanic from the glory days of wrenching cars. In his small single man shop he was famous for cleaning up the engine compartment when folks would bring their rigs for an oil change. His cost was the same for the oil change even though though he might spend an hour scouring the grime he found under the hood. I often helped out and was amazed at how in an hours time he could make the compartment look brand new. One of his favorite cleaners was Formula 409. He bought big containers of it and funneled it into his trusty spray bottle. Said the only better cleaner he had ever come across was his grandmother's spit and she chewed Beech-Nut for FIFTY years. He used that product for most of his career and always kept hope that Formula 410 would come out, but it never did. I use it to this day and find it does a great job on many surfaces under the hood.

 

Did your uncle end up with Dementia in his later yrs or was he ever arrested?

 

If you are implying that there is reliable evidence connecting exposure to Formula 409 and the onset of dimentia, I would enjoy seeing a link to the study. Far as Uncle Pete goes, he died at the age of 84 and I can't recall any loss of his cognitive function. Of course I sprayed a helluva lot of the stuff too!