wire wheel rust removal question...........
 

I know most guys blast their rusty wire wheels, just wondering if anyone has come up with a dipping process for rust/paint removal?

would think a big drum could be cut down, a liquid added and put one wheel in at a time to soak for however long and a clean wheel might emerge?

Re: wire wheel rust removal question...........
 

28-29?....or 30-31?.........it makes a difference..

Re: wire wheel rust removal question...........
 

As posted several times, you can soak them in Vinegar and it will take evey bit of rust off.

Re: wire wheel rust removal question...........
 

I used electrolysis on my Cub Cadet wheel. It took two days and did an excellent job on very deep rust.

Re: wire wheel rust removal question...........
 

As Dudley points out: the risky dipping, IMHO, would be the 28-9 rim. I used Les schwab's service several years ago. $57 to demount, send out, powder coat, remount and balance.
Nothing wrong with media blasting for me, even when I did it myself.
repainting was much more work than the blasting if the neighbors don't complain, just do it outside.

Re: wire wheel rust removal question...........
 

Yes & No. To remove paint (which is an organic) you need Caustic (Sodium Hydroxide) It will remove all the paint or powder coat. It works well (i.e.: faster) when heated. It will need to be placed in a metal container.

To remove rust, you need Phosphoric Acid. This process is known as Pickling ...and can be searched as such.

Do not worry about soaking 21" Model-A wheels. If anything, this is a good thing. If you are concerned, drill a 1/8" hole in the bead to allow the mixture of Phosphoric & water to fill the bead cavity. When you drain it, use a propane torch to slightly warm the wheel rim which will evaporate the water. Use a welder to seal the hole --or just leave it open. (Won't hurt a thing!)

Re: wire wheel rust removal question...........
 

Terry, how much time would it take to remove power coating from a wheel soaking in Sodium Hydroxide? Thanks

Re: wire wheel rust removal question...........
 

It takes a couple of days to soften it where the steam cleaner can blast it off.

Re: wire wheel rust removal question...........
 

What is sodium hydroxide. Where do you get it?

Re: wire wheel rust removal question...........
 

very good-thanks fellas for the input!!!

Re: wire wheel rust removal question...........
 

I found out the hard way that antifreeze can remove powdercoating from inside the lower water pipe. A couple days after installing the pipe, chunks of black powdercoating were laying in the top tank of the radiator.

Re: wire wheel rust removal question...........
 

I agree with Tom. Electrolysis works great and the parts come out rust free.

Here's just one "How To" video; http://youtu.be/y4yYF8gSHdA There is a lot of info on rust removal using electrolysis on the net.

IMO Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) is too dangerous to use in a uncontrolled environment (Home use). It is a strong alkaline compound (very high pH) used in industry. It can and will burn you much the same way an acid will burn you.

Sodium Hydroxide is also used in drain cleaner.

Re: wire wheel rust removal question...........
 

I would be cautious of the electrolysis method on wire wheels. I've used the process on a lot of sheet metal and frame components. I thought it would work well on 16" KH wire wheels which it did clean paint and rust very well. The one thing I did notice was that every wheel would have a couple of "broken spokes" afterwards. I think the process stresses high tensile components as the wheels did not show broken spokes prior to the dip.

Just my thoughts and experiences on wheels, I've had no issues with later 16" V8 disc wheels. Paul J.

Re: wire wheel rust removal question...........
 

Yes, I've wondered about hydrogen embrittlement, or any such problems, so for spoked wheels I guess I'd stick to sandblasting.

Re: wire wheel rust removal question...........
 

Some of the spokes probably have stress already from past abuse.
The rims are usually out of true and that is from abuse.
FTC. Les schwab, or media blasting are perfectly acceptable ways to go, or I would not have suggested them from my own experience. They are alot less trouble than engineering a chemical alternative.
You decide.
Bob

Re: wire wheel rust removal question...........
 

Les Schwab seems to be a North Western place. Closest to me would be ~300 miles north... but media blasting appears to be the way to go, for wheels anyway.