This is not on my Olds but I wanted to see if you guys could help. I bought a 09 F150 that was very poorly maintained. The right rear brakes were metal to metal for so long that the rotor was worn completely thru the inner surface and then about 1/2 way thru the webbing. When it was finally thin enough the pistons popped out of the caliper! Yep this gal just kept driving it!! Anyway it has some aftermarket 20" wheels on it that I believe is powdercoated aluminum (black). On this right rear wheel it looks all brown (rust) from all of the iron particles deposited on the wheel. I want to remove all this iron/rust coating- this is not your average brake dust staining, regular 409 type degreaser doesn't touch it, neither does carb cleaner. I hate to take a power tool grinder or wire brush,etc to it as I'm afraid it will ruin the smooth surface of wheel. Any suggestions? Thanks, Greg.

 

Try a weak solution of CLR soaked rags laying on top of the wheel. I have found this works quite well on rust as you describe. A little patience as it is not an instant removal doing this, you may have to repeat the process a few times. Perhaps a very seasoned wheel person on the forum has a better idea up their sleeve, and will suggest something as well. Howie.

 

Interesting idea on the CLR. Stuff is great for many uses. Knocks soap scum/hard water minerals off sinks & showers like nothing else.
I mix it 50/50 in a spray bottle. Pre-Wet the surface with hot water, soak it down with CLR, let it sit for an hour then rinse it off with one of those sponges that has the scotch brite-like backing, but the non-scratch type material. Caution, wear at minimum an N95 mask so you are not aspirating it.

If CLR doesn't work I wonder if the same approach with Evaporust would work.

If the truck was that well-maintained Id change ALL the fluids....trans, brake, diff(s) xfer case, pwr steering et al...

Do you still have the abused beyond-recognition rotors? Those are wall hangers FOR SURE, and picture worthy.
Always nice to see rotors worn to that extent. Makes you wonder how persons like that manage to navigate normally through life lmao!

 

Be careful using cleaners on powder coated wheels. If the cleaner is too caustic it may damage the wheel.

 

Great suggestion, perhaps try the stuff on the inside facing section of the wheel first! Howie.

 

Indeed, rotors worn to this condition is very scary. There are a lot of those things running loose out there, a friend has a shop and I have seen horror stories for brakes on vehicles. I cringe when we have the (infamous) sudden stops on highways around here and you wonder what condition these distracted drivers have for brakes and need them to stop suddenly when they look up and see a wall of cars and trucks just ahead....A picture of those rotors would qualify for the braking wall of shame it would seem.

 

Great idea about CLR and Evaporust! They may dissolve it, I will try that. I already got rid of the rotor but I will get a pic of the wheel. I bought this truck non running and knew the engine needed work(lots). But after getting engine running now finding lots more issues- front end about ready to fall apart, brake issues. cat converters gone, tires worn to cords, on and on. I bought it just to fix and resell for a profit, but I am losing my ***!! Yep this truck was a accident waiting to happen- Scary when you think of all the vehicles you meet on the 2 lane roads going 60 MPH each.....

 

If you lived in Texas, the speed would be closer to 80. Much too fast for any traffic on any road.

 

I've used K&N cleaner on wheels with some success. But as previously mentioned, you can't leave some of these cleaners on too long, or they will etch the finish.

 

Detailers use a product that is commonly referred to as "Iron and Fall Out Remover".

The product will turn purple when it comes in contact with iron oxide.

 

Yeah I saw that purple stuff on youtube. Evaporust doesn't touch it. I can sand it off but then I think powdercoating will be scratched. I think I am going to paint the wheel w/ satin paint. I tried the center cap and it looks good painted, yep cant get the rust color off the caps either. I bought this truck to flip. Boy has it been a bad experience! It didn't run so I couldn't check out other things. Brakes and front end were a costly surprise. At least transmission is OK.

 

I painted 'em. good enough....

Before.....

After.

Had a visitor over at barn this morning. Right in front of doors, drove dog nuts. A terrible place to lay eggs......

 

Yup... especially since you don't plan on keeping it. Throw some lipstick on that pig.