Worth saving or replace them?

[Ozuye10]

Picked up a 2004 XL and these rims are in pretty rough shape. I’m wondering if any of you all have refurbished wheels in this state of rust? I’ve read everything from sandblasting to airplane acid remover. I don’t suppose there’s just a spray and wipe solution?

 

[Blmpkn]

"Rust"

Move to Maine. You'll learn what rust really is lol.


The proper thing to do imo would be to have the wheels media blasted. It'll take off the rest of the paint and the rust, and you'll be left with a clean slate to paint whatever color you please.

Last set of wheels I had blasted cost me 100$ and then 50$ or so in spray cans to paint them. You'd be paying more to have the tires unmounted and remounted though.. so at that point.. buying a set of aftermarket steelies would probably make better financial sense.

OR.. get a can of kwik-strip to remove the rest of the paint, hit the little bit of rust with a wire wheel, then paint..


OR.... do nothing if those wheels are only that rusty after 18 years, they'll definitely last another 18 no problem.

 

[Roert42]

I would try and avoid removing the tires from the wheels due to cost.

So you have a couple options.
A. Wait until you need to get new tires. Then dismount, clean and paint wheels, then have new tires mounted.

B. Clean up the rust best you can with wire brush and paint with some rust converting primer, and topcoat with tires still attached.


The first option with probably give you a much better end result, but the second one will be quicker and cheaper.

 

[Blmpkn]

If you wanna use option 2 I'd suggest using corroseal. I'm a huge fan of that stuff. I'd probably wear a hat with their label on it If they sent me one lol.

 

[Lefty]

A media blaster can cost as little as $80, the media $40, well worth it, considering the price of new wheels.

I use it for other projects too, a nice thing to have around.

 

[JohnnyO]

Any 15" Ranger or Pre-2002 Explorer wheels will fit. I'd just look for some aluminum OE wheels in a junkyard.
That said, it just looks like surface rust so you can clean them up, paint with Rustoleum, and be good for a while.

 

[Lefty]

There is a new 2 part epoxy paint in a spray can. It's made by Eastwood. It is expensive but it will go on nice and smooth and last a very long time.

Eastwood 2K DuraSpray Epoxy Primer Black

Strength, Durability and Performance of a Two Component Primer in an Easy to Use Aerosol Can with Unlimited Potlife!

www.eastwood.com

 

[rubydist]

I have used that Eastwood 2k stuff on wheels with good results