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I've got a set of wheels that are in a bit of a state, and I'm about to make a start on refurbing em. There is a thick coating of flaky paint/muck/corrosion on the backs of all the wheels. Looks like this: I've looked at electrolysis using a tank of water with bicarb of soda solution in it and a battery charger, but I've only seen it used on rusty steel or iron parts. Would that method be suitable to use on alloy? I'd really like to avoid spending hours removing all that curse word while trying not to damage the alloy beneath. The main reason I ask is that on the bicarb packaging it says 'avoid contact with aluminium' If anyone could advise that would be a big help. Cheers
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1967 Morris Traveller 1971 Series IIA Land Rover 1991 Golf GL 4+e 1992 Corrado G60 1986 E28 BMW 528i
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That is a wheel? curse word!
I've always found corrosion on aluminium to be poorly adhered to the metal beneath - a good wire brushing takes the loose stuff off, then some high build primer (over an etch primer) to get a smooth finish.
Rather than fannying about with electrolysis (which stands a chance of making the thing worse depending on how you set it up) I'd just get a knotted wire wheel in a grinder, one in an drill and spend an hour on the back of them.
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stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,926
Club RR Member Number: 174
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Just get em blasted should only cost about £40 and requires no effort lol.
Matt
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Just done mine with a knot brush on my grinder and small wire brushes in the drill, just be gentle with it....Oh, and wear a mask, it tastes disgusting ;D I reckon the electrolysis method might be a bit risky as it may damage the good surfaces on the front.
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"Was today really necessary?"
87 VW GTi ( MOT PASSED 26/04/10)
2003 Honda cb250y Nighthawk
05 Micra Urbis
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I wouldn't use electrolysis on alloy - especially not with a bicarb of soda mix. The Bicarb will slowly dissolve the alloy...
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I'd be a bit reluctant to use a knotwheel + grinder - I've managed to make deep "swirls" in steel, let alone softer alloy. But maybe you guys have a more delicate approach! ;D I'd have thought a regular wire wheel and drill would take all that lot off no bother.
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Cheers guys. I guess it's overalls goggles and mask time then!
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1967 Morris Traveller 1971 Series IIA Land Rover 1991 Golf GL 4+e 1992 Corrado G60 1986 E28 BMW 528i
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as said blasting is the best way forward...it will remove the corrosion from any deep pits and leave a uniform finish
wire wheel will ruin em
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91 golf g60, 89 golf 16v , 88 polo breadvan
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Problem is finding a gentle enough blaster. I've had wheels before where previous over zealous sandblasting has wrecked the alloy
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1967 Morris Traveller 1971 Series IIA Land Rover 1991 Golf GL 4+e 1992 Corrado G60 1986 E28 BMW 528i
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Problem is finding a gentle enough blaster. I've had wheels before where previous over zealous sandblasting has wrecked the alloy Shame you're not this side of the country - look what I've just bought for RR people to use: retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=othrmod&action=display&thread=57168&page=29#956603That way you get the wheels blasted cheap and the quality of finish is not in the hands of an over zealous guy charging you £££ for the privelege
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bortaf
Posted a lot
Posts: 4,549
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Soda blasting works wonders on ally, but TBH i just use a cup wire brush in a 12V drill, never ruined a wheel yet you've got to be bloody heavy handed to do any damage with one of those and trust me i'm a clumsy fooker at the best of times
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R.I.P photobucket
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blast ive seen many an alloy gouged by people using wire wheels on them, but that was the machined area, should be ok on the back of the wheel like that.
Place near me charges about £35 to blast a set of wheels. not worth fannying about as you'd spend probably a tenner in consumables yourself.
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75 Range Rover 2 door 82 Range Rover 4 door 84 Range Rover 4 door 78 Datsun 120Y 2 door 78 Datsun 620 Pickup 81 Datsun Urvan E23 86 Datsun Vanette van 98 Electric Citroen Berlingo 00 Electric Peugeot Partner 02 Electric Citroen Berlingo 04 Berlingo Multispace petrol 07 Land Rover 130 15 Nissan E-NV200 15 Fiat Ducato
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Well I already bought the soda crystals, and I have a large compressor and a blow gun, so I might have a go at soda blasting em, as per the how to that was posted on here a while back: www.aircooledtech.com/tools-on-the-cheap/soda_blaster/I'll try and get the worst of the grot off beforehand, it may take ages to do 4 whole wheels, but it's worth a try I guess
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Last Edit: Dec 9, 2009 21:39:08 GMT by whitbytom
1967 Morris Traveller 1971 Series IIA Land Rover 1991 Golf GL 4+e 1992 Corrado G60 1986 E28 BMW 528i
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