Alloy wheels and SOS (oh no)

[C M Smith <cmsmith@domain.elided>]

Alloy wheels are coated or painted, usually the latter as it is more 
durable and easier to manufacture. bare aluminum will oxidize rapidly to a 
silvery grey colour, not terribly attractive on a car.

bead blasting and re painting or re coating is the only answer to far gone 
alloys. Fortunately the oxide only goes skin deep in the absence of any 
real acid or salt to pit the metal, so a bead or "shot" blasting (actually 
crushed walnut shells) will restore the bright smooth finish ready for 
paint or coating.

Steel wool should never be used on anything aluminum, besides there are now 
purely plastic scouring pads which are at least as effective as steel wool 
and will not adversely impact the metal. Steel wool among other defects, 
will embed in the paint, coating, or aluminum and corrode to a "lovely" 
reddish brown colour (almost a rust colour you might say)! Also, steel in 
the aluminum can actually accelerate corrosion, Al having a valence of 3 to 
Fe valence of 2 (although my daughters assure me that valence is now an 
antiquated idea!).


Michael Smith
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
91 Alfa 164L, White, original owner

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