quote:
Originally posted by hands_aus
rust on aluminium rims?
Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto
Bob and RBYCC,
Rust, no. Corrosion, yes. Rust is corrosion on a ferrous metal; aluminum corrodes like steel does, albeit slower and not quite as severe.
My aluminum rims had a lot of corrosion on them, clearly from not being cleaned. Salt, etc. built up along the tire/rim interface and this led to corrosion and pitting, just like rust but with a white crust of salt and aluminum oxide.
A good cleaning and prep before powder coat and all is well.
Keep your wheels clean and this won't happen. As a car wash owner I see this all the time. People keep their cars clean and neglect the wheels. There is a whole cottage industry around here of mobile alloy wheel repair and refinishing, a shop in a trailer! They do a brisk business running from Porsche to BMW to Mercedes dealers and independent repair facilities.
Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
President, International Stars Section
Mercedes-Benz Club of America