Ways To Prevent Rim Corrosion

The wheels of your vehicle endure intense amounts of stress every time you use your car. The rims, in particular, are crucial for providing mounts for the tires and how well the car handles. Protect your car and yourself by learning a few ways to prevent rim corrosion from taking hold.

Signs of Corrosion

The visual signs of corrosion include rust and the metal of the rim crumbling and falling apart. This is caused by factors such as iron dust from brake pads getting onto the rims and causing a reaction that damages your wheels. Water, dirt, and air can also cause rusting if you use acid-based cleaners that strip away the rim’s protective coating. These environmental aspects cause a molecular reaction with the metal underneath the protective layer that creates rust and warping.

Cleaning the Rims

The best way to prevent rim corrosion is by regularly washing the rims to keep them clear of dirt, rainwater, and accumulated debris in the nooks and crannies. As mentioned, you should never use acid-based cleaners. Even dish soap is too powerful to be used on cars; it’ll strip the protective layer from the rim. Ensure you use soap made specifically for cars. Apply it using special cloths that ensure you’re not doing more harm than good.

Extra Protective Measures

If you want to go the extra mile, there are a few other things you can do to further protect the rims from corrosion. Polish and wax will make your rims look shiny and new. They’ll create a fresh protective layer to help prevent debris from scratching or rust forming. Another method is plating. You can electroplate your wheels with metals such as chrome, zinc, or nickel to minimize the effects of oxidization.

Similar to wax and polish, car detailing like ceramic coatings are naturally hydrophobic and will prevent water from causing oxidization to occur on the rims. This requires professional servicing, however—unlike wax and polish that allows you to do it yourself.