11 replies to this topic

[minisilverbullet]

I have a nice set of minilite wheels, but the sleeved nuts really let them down. They have been on the car 2 years and have started to rust. 

 

How can I remove this rust? (I was thinking chemically) And then how can i keep it at bay?

[nicklouse]

It depends.

Chromed?

Find a proper chromer and gave them stripped. Copper plated and then chromed. Instead of flash chrominance ghost does not last.

[minisilverbullet]

they are not currently chromed. 

 

Could be an option 

Though, I am not sure how cost effective that would be (though i have no idea on the cost). 

[spiguy]

I had chromed ones that rusted. I have a sand blaster at work, so just blasted them and painted them with steel wheels type paint. Doesn't last if you are taking the wheels on and off, but even at that it lasted a good few weeks of wet weather before some little brown bits appeared again on the edges where the wheel wrench had damaged the paint. I just used a brush and wicked a drip or two of paint back on them when I could be bothered. Made them look alot better, but a bit of hassle in fairness. Lucky for me my wheel nuts are only about £16 a set so I can renew them every couple of years if they get scabby. 

[Richie83]

Could soak them in coke, worked for my chrome surprisingly well (and scarily). Follow this up with a quick sand down, clean up and then spray silver?

[Tamworthbay]

Overnight in Bilthamber Deox c and they will be rust free.

[humph]

Overnight in Bilthamber Deox c and they will be rust free.

This is my choice, brilliant stuff.

 

Alternatively Practical classics did a DIY rust removal article (September 2014) trying various household substances for rust removal; Cola, Potato, Cillit Bang, Oxalic Acid, Vinegar, & Molasses.  In their test items were submerged in the substances for a week, vinegar (undiluted)

or Blackstrap mollasses (1 part molasses to 9 parts water) worked best to remove heavy corrosion. Remove grease and oil from parts and soak in a container with a fitted lid. Worth a try given the cost compared to the Deox C.

[nicklouse]

I gad forgotten about this http://www.theminifo...hl=+frost +auto

But I would pop into your local http://www.mekonomen.se and have a chat. I found mine to be a wealth of info. As they do cater for a lot of petrol heads.

[spiguy]

What about using wheel nut covers? I was going to do this with my 'rusty nuts' before I bought different wheels and so had to get new different nuts anyway :

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2c7d3c733a

[minisilverbullet]

I think I will try one of these rust removers, I guess i can do it every year or so. 

 

The caps are also a good ice, i have a set on my daily, but the minilite wheels also have washers, these too are starting to look a bit shabby. 

[gazza82]

You can still buy new minilite nuts ...

[minisilverbullet]

You can still buy new minilite nuts ...

Yip you sure can, a set will cost around 30 pounds.  I assume they will just start to rust after a year, just like the ones i have.