Corrosion on factory rims??

specialsauce · **Posted:** Mon May 01, 2006 11:31 pm

Here's one for the experts (and part-time metallurgy folks):
I have an '02 Lib Limited with stock 16" aluminum rims. Normal car washing habits (as often as possible!) but nothing exotic... never used any kind of special rim cleaner either. I had all four rims replaced in 2004 (on warranty) due to a pitting/corrosion on the surface of the rims. Couldn't understand why ALUMINUM would corrode (not supposed to happen).

Now that the truck is off warranty (of course), the replacement rims are corroding AGAIN. Exact same problem as before - pale spots on surface, almost looks like a coating bubbling off or something.

Anyone else having this problem? Is there any satisfaction to be gained from writing to Jeep or complaining to dealer? (I purchased in 2002 and no ext. warranty for me) - thanks!

Troysterr · **Posted:** Mon May 01, 2006 11:38 pm

Same thing happened to mine, and I just didn't get around to getting them replaced under warranty when I had the chance. I'm going to replace them with steel wheels soon, anyway.

Bakerkj · **Posted:** Mon May 01, 2006 11:56 pm

Road salt causes aluminum to corrode. the clear coat protecting the rim probably got chipped or scratched leaving the aluminum exposed

specialsauce · **Posted:** Tue May 02, 2006 12:04 am

Perhaps salt was a problem (living in Pennsylvania)

I haven't been too hard on these rims though. Perfect example is the stock spare on the back - it is really trashed (bad corrosion). I'd like to think that rims shouldn't do this if they have only been through normal wear and tear (nothing that heroic).

Is there anything to be done to fix the problem? Anyone ever try to seal off such corrosion? or grind it out? (ouch - not sure I want to take a grinder to my rims) Or is it too late once the corrosion is started?

Thanks for the replys

Bakerkj · **Posted:** Tue May 02, 2006 12:20 am

Acid Rain? Do you live by a factory or a mine? If the corrosion isn't too deep you could try sandblasting them then painting or clearcoating them.

blackjeep · **Posted:** Tue May 02, 2006 5:07 am

mine did the same on our car and took me a long long time to figure out why it was happening. then one day the lightbulb came on. I used "tire cleaner" switch at carwash to clean my tires and that crap wrecked my clearcoat - after that it was downhill.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Tue May 02, 2006 9:24 am

Once the clear coat comes off it's pretty much up to you to keep the rims from pitting. Things that can cause the clear coat to deteriorate are:

1) Brake dust
2) Heat
3) Excessive rubbing [i.e. too many car washes]
4) Stone chips
5) Road salt
6) Dirt [left on from not cleaning]
7) Tire shine [not to be applied to painted surfaces]

There are probably more, but I can't think of them all right now.

I too have an '02 and my rims have a few chips in them. To keep my clear coat from peeling away to oblivian, I have been polishing my rims as often as I wax the Jeep (about 2x a year, sometimes more.) This helps to keep the aluminum from pitting or deteriorating which makes them look good as new or almost good as new.

If your rims are pitted and discolored, try using a wheel polish about every 2 weeks and that should help to restore them over time. It won't work miricles, but it should help...

Dutchy · **Posted:** Thu Jun 08, 2006 5:40 am

These rims don't have a clear coat, there is a plastic protection film covering these wheels and when it gets penetrated, water will come in and attacks the metal underneath.
I had 6 new wheels under warranty and some of the new ones are already starting to discollour again, it starts at one small point and this slowly grows wider.
Even my spare is damaged and it has never been of the rear door and has always been covered.
I think it has to do with fitting the tires onto the wheels that will break the protective plastic shield.

Loopkey · **Posted:** Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:43 am

After 4 winters my rims are really bad. You can take them to a wheel shop and have them re-finished, but I have no idea how much that would run. I think the next time I get tires, I'll also swap the wheels. Maybe try and fit some 265's

zeero · **Posted:** Thu Jun 08, 2006 1:00 pm

Easy maintenance of new rims:

Use car polish / wax on them (painted and unpainted rims)...BEFORE they start to corrode...it will significantly slow the corrosion to a point where it may not even happen....based on your maintenance of it. :wink:

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Jun 08, 2006 4:48 pm

zeero wrote:

Easy maintenance of new rims:

Use car polish / wax on them (painted and unpainted rims)...BEFORE they start to corrode...it will significantly slow the corrosion to a point where it may not even happen....based on your maintenance of it. :wink:

Did that.

0311_DoC · **Posted:** Thu Jun 08, 2006 5:06 pm

Or if worse comes to worse just get out a ole rattle can and paint em. I know dupli-color has a few good products.

zeero · **Posted:** Fri Jun 09, 2006 9:36 am

That looks nice....kind of a gunmetal gray... :wink:

CaKJFreedom · **Posted:** Fri Jun 09, 2006 6:18 pm

Not sure if this is correct or not but when I called the 800# and was talking to a rep about my lbj's, she said even though I'm out of warranty, if I had them replaced while it was still in effect and they went out again they'd still be fixed under warranty. If that's true, it may apply to your wheels too. Can you call the dealer who did the original replacement and ask?

Corrosion on factory rims??

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